An exploration of social value creation within the Bieb der Dingen, a professionally managed network of lending stations.

Abstract (Platte tekst, max. 500 woorden)
- The municipality of Amsterdam is currently exploring the development of the Bieb der Dingen, a professionally managed network of lending stations. At these stations residents can borrow tools and household items that are typically used infrequently for a small fee. This thesis focuses on how the Bieb der Dingen can be designed to strengthen the social value of the service, as social value, alongside sustainability, is considered an important pillar of the concept.

However, the current service concept is based on an online reservation system combined with self-service lockers, which creates the risk that the service becomes increasingly transactional. As a result, the social value of sharing may diminish. At the same time, municipal policy, which is crucial for the continuation of the project, together with co-creation sessions with residents, show that social value is highly valued. This creates a tension between the professional setup of the service and the ambition to create social value.

Initially, this thesis explored collaboration with local initiatives as a way to strengthen social value. However, the research process revealed that the core challenge lies not only in collaboration, but also in how the service itself is designed. This led to the following design challenge:
How can the professional system of the Bieb der Dingen be designed in such a way that it is experienced as sharing together in the neighbourhood?

Based on literature research and co-creation sessions with residents, social design criteria were formulated to guide the concept development. Through a series of ideation exersices, including How-To brainstorms, co-creation sessions with local initiatives, and SCAMPER, the concept of Bieb der Dingen 2.0 was developed and refined through user testing and feedback from the Bieb der Dingen project team.

The design of Bieb der Dingen 2.0 builds upon the existing professional system while integrating social design interventions. The concept consists of three core components: recognisable bags, a physical product passport, and a neighbourhood saving point. Together, these elements make sharing more visible, personal, and collective, and reinforce each other in conveying a narrative of sharing together in the neighbourhood. Theoretical reflection suggests that the design supports intrinsic motivation by emphasising meaning, contribution, and connectedness. Further testing is required to evaluate its actual impact. Therefore, the recommendation is to implement the proposed interventions at two of the seven locations that will be realised in 2027, as described in the roadmap.

This thesis shows that social value and professionalisation do not have to be contradictory. By deliberately designing to create social value within a professional system, the Bieb der Dingen can distinguish itself as a service that is both professionally organised and socially embedded.