Using Geodesign to Plan for an Uncertain Future in an Accelerating World

We live in a world of accelerations and constant change (technological changes, climate change, societal changes, demographic change, etc.). Planners help communities navigate those changes, while planning for an uncertain future. The acceleration of technological developments combined with an increased complexity of challenges planners are facing in their communities (smart cities and integration of ICT, the shift towards a shared or even automated society, city on demand, increased diversity, climate change and its interrelation to health and poverty, etc.) results in the need for more agile methods and adaptive approaches in the planning profession. Design thinking, testing and a “fail fast, fail small” approach combined with real-time data and a two-way communication stream between planners and the communities through crowdsourcing and other applications can help react to change almost in real-time and support a “learning with the future”. Additionally, a more holistic, integrated approach to planning, considering interdependencies between systems and anticipating intended and unintended consequences of planning efforts, is crucial to provide sustainable, equitable, and resilient outcomes. This presentation will explain some of the challenges planners are facing in this accelerating world and how geodesign can help navigate change and prepare for an uncertain future.

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