New urban policy: Renaturing cities
Date: 2019.09.24
Mediators: Mia & Sophie
We both realized that the articles proposed for our week discussion were about how we could properly translate a theoretical approach in projects and in a more practical approach: which methods and tools we could chose to realize a sustainable city project. We really wanted that our classmates could experiment the methods proposed in the article and not only discuss about it. It is easier for student to point out strengths and weaknesses of one method by experimenting. Moreover, we decided to put the main key concepts of the first article, which was “biosphere stewardship”, as the central subject of the mind map. Thus, students had the opportunity to debate on the first article too and share their understanding of what a social ecological system is. We can say that it was a two-in-one activity!
We lead the class discussion on transition management and sustainability: Renaturing cities and theories by following this plan:
1. Do a short review of each of the articles to make people remind them and summarize them.
2. Explaining the concept of the Mind Map as a tool to discuss in groups about the subject
3. Do groups of 3 – 4 people. Define and put the key concept in the centre of a large sheet of paper in order to focus on it.
4. Give to participants or make them choose a role they want to embody among the potential actors of an urban renaturing city project including the key concepts.
5. Regarding to this role, make them discuss and argue about what they think their role induced. In the same time, participants can write on the mind map ideas which should be organized by topic, as the mind mapping want. First with a pencil, then with colours, highlighters etc. in order to make the mind map visible and understandable.
6. Share the mind map by swapping up or by presenting them to the class.
7. Lead the discussion and questions of participants
Difficulties: Participants from the same group could have divergent points of view, they should find an agreement on what they put on the mind map or not. Colours can be used to delimitate divergent ideas. Also, participants should have a well understanding on the form and mechanisms of a mind map, which could not be obvious for people who never used it. Some adjustments and deep explanations could be given during the creation itself.
Finally, this exercise was useful to be aware of what can a transdisciplinary project be and what kind of tools we can use to share the knowledges and understandings of each participant.
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