The Object Catalog | enhancing UNDP's system and portfolio approach for development

The challenges of today’s world don’t restrict to borders, specific industries or fields of expertise as linear development models may suggest. In order for development to react in a synchronized manner to capture the complexity of these crises, a transition has been initiated within the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the way of...

Connecting hydrogen: Exploring the Formation of Small-scale Hydrogen networks in the Netherlands

The imperative to address climate change has led to a critical need for transformation within the Dutch energy system. Recent efforts have focused on decentralisation and innovative technologies to steer towards a fossil-free future. Hydrogen energy emerges as a pivotal contender with potential benefits at all societal levels. This study delves...

A guide to orchestrate Smart Energy Hubs: Exploring the formation of Smart Energy Hub networks to enable effective collaboration

The global energy transition presents significant challenges for large consumers, particularly business owners on business parks. These challenges often exceed the capabilities of individual businesses, necessitating collective approaches such as Smart Energy Hubs (SEHs) that enable resource, cost, and expertise sharing. However, many SEH...

A service designer's guide to systemic design: Helping a Juvenile company transition towards a more sustainable future

This project tackled two research questions for separate clients. The first question was posed by Livework, a service design agency, which wanted to learn how systemic design principles can be applied in projects aimed at organisational sustainability transformations. The second client, Juvenile Company, a company that designs and manufactures...

Healthy Hillesluis: Designing interventions for a healthier food environment in a low SES neighbourhood

The current food system stimulates unhealthy food choices and is a major contributor to environmental pressures. To improve this situation, an integrated approach is necessary, where we take into account the different actors in the food environment and how each of these can contribute to a more healthy and sustainable society. Although change...

Metabolic's Circular System Design Process: Applying systemic design for co-creating circular economy solutions

The current ‘take, make, waste’ linear economy has caused many ecological and social problems; that’s why the circular economy aims to close the loop so businesses can thrive while natural resources sustain and regenerate. Metabolic, a sustainability consultancy that helps clients transition towards the circular economy, recognizes that a...

Designing resilient coastal neighbourhoods: Co-creating a hybrid settlement framework for the city of Hagonoy, Philippines

The Philippines is a country where most of the human settlements are on the coast. Rapid urbanisation caused by economic development and annual population increment affects the housing situation in the country. In addition, climate change has increased the prevalence of natural disasters, such as floods, typhoons, rising sea levels, tidal...

Designing an Engagement Strategy to Improve Collaboration in the Construction Industry

The building construction industry is generally known as a procedural project with linear workflow and a traditional mindset. When a disruptive technology arises, the clients and partners face the challenge to understand the technology. In addition, their willingness to change is low. PHYSEE, a technology company that offers smart engineering...

Embedding Design Practices in a Non-profit Foundation for the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest

This thesis presents experiments to integrate design practices for organisational change in a non-profit organisation in Brazil that contributes to the sustainable development of the Amazon rainforest region.<br/>The organisation that hosted this project is the Foundation for Amazon Sustainability (FAS). It is a civil society organisation that...

WeVlie: “A Service concept to promote connection between generations as a means to create strong and sustainable communities”

The province of Friesland, financially supported by the European union, is currently seeking innovative solutions to generate a creative ground for new opportunities, above all for young people that are prone to move away from the region. In this graduation project new ways of citizen participations are explored and a design solution to this...