1. togetherness
Concise and in-context first encounter for the students with the practice of social
design from a participatory perspective. Students will explore, through engagement
with local inhabitants and stakeholders in Saint-Gilles (Liège, Belgium), in which ways
design-driven interventions could enhance social cohesion at the local level. Within
this context, four key themes have been identified: “sense of security”, “multi-
generational neighbourhood”, “student lives” and “green & grey space” (public space
& gardens). These themes will serve as entrypoints for student teams to explore
latent needs and develop design-based concepts to add value to social life in the
Saint-Gilles quarter.

2. challenges
general
• lack of social cohesion
• lack of sense of initiative, neighbourhood owner/
stewardship,
• feelings of unsafety
• disconnection between private-public realms
thematic
• reconnect generations
• reinvigorate public space (grey & green)
• improve sense of security
• interweave student & neighbourhood life

3. opportunities
Text
• sense of urgency to change
• un(der)used but present green & grey space
• large student presence
• public & private gardens
• pride about past history, hope for future
• other recent initiatives to link up with

4. methodologies
• literature study (examples)
• field research (look, ask, do) (inspired by e.g. IDEO
method cards, design for intent cards)
• stakeholder interviews
• cultural probes
• touchpoint analysis, peeling the onion
• lofi prototyping
• storyboarding

5. action plan
• introduction to social design, presentation case
studies - secondary literature - examples
• introduction to design research methods + Saint
Gilles basic info
• development of field research plan
• feedback
• design of field research material
• field research in Saint Gilles + stakeholder
interviews
• quick designs + expert feedback
• design selection & development + lofi prototyping
• presentation

6. Togetherness
future scenario
A neighbourhood in which enduring relationships
between students, inhabitants, local entrepreneurs,
young & old, etc. are the norm rather than the
exception.
A place where work, life, study, recreation intermingle
in a safe & stimulating way, where public spaces are
inviting.
Local actors & inhabitants take (part in) initiatives and
attract new ones.

7. design role
investigate
study challenges & opportunities
propose
new ideas for solutions, suggestions for positive
change-stimulating or -amplifying
enable & facilitate
dialogue, render tangible the intangible, co-
design/-tuning of solutions, make sure things
can scale
set free
give project back to neighbourhood, and can
eventually disappear.