Systems and design thinking

The tools are effective vehicles for identifying, describing, and communicating your understanding of systems, particularly in groups.1 Municipal governments in Canada are using systems thinking in various ways: for example, to help address climate change through the creation of greenhouse gas goals...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inMunicipal World Vol. 131; no. 4; pp. 15 - 17
Main Author Purkis, John
Format Trade Publication Article
LanguageEnglish
Published St. Thomas Municipal World Inc 01.04.2021
Subjects
Carbon
Cities
Climate change
Collaboration
Design thinking
Government
Housing needs
Municipalities
Public sector
Social innovation
Canada
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Summary:The tools are effective vehicles for identifying, describing, and communicating your understanding of systems, particularly in groups.1 Municipal governments in Canada are using systems thinking in various ways: for example, to help address climate change through the creation of greenhouse gas goals, targets, and inventories for corporate and community emissions; establishing long-term goals; and by collaborating with community groups that encourage members of the public to reduce their emissions. The Blatchford neighbourhood addressed a number of connected issues related to climate change by designing a carbon-neutral district energy sharing system, which also incorporates affordable housing and many other features.2 A similar systems approach could also be applied to other complex problems, such as homelessness and housing affordability. A growing number of public organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and private sector organizations are using systems and design thinking through social innovation labs.8 Funders like the CMHC, through the National Housing Strategy, are also supporting projects that use these approaches.
ISSN:0027-3589