PhD Position Co-Designing Just, Liveable, and Inclusive Urban Futures – TU Delft

Co-design and participation seem to be standard urban practice. But what does this really mean beyond inflated buzzwords? This PhD project will unfold the complex practices of genuine urban co-design.

Job description
Local governments need to collaborate with residents in shaping urban futures that are just, liveable, and inclusive to all living species. On the other hand, citizens start their own initiatives to address local issues. Many contemporary societal challenges, for example the climate crisis, the fast emergence of AI, or the devastating loss of biodiversity, are so-called wicked problems. Such problems are characterised by their dynamic nature, have multiple problem owners, and do not have one straightforward solution. Co-design, the practice of collaborating and making together, is considered as a suitable approach to dealing with wicked problems. As a result, local governments increasingly draw from this practice when engaging with citizens.

However, enabling a genuine collaborative process in true partnership with residents is not easy. Digital technology opens new ways for residents to be engaged, for example through VR, AR, digital twins, and citizen participation apps. This PhD project will explore how residents and local governments through co-design effectively shape just, liveable, and inclusive urban futures.