Effective strategy making, co-designing as a tool for effective strategic planning

Abstract

The study explores the factors for success of long-term spatial development policies. The theoretic frame assumed that co-ownership of the content of a development policy is not enough for sustained support. Co-creation of a development vision with all relevant parties in a region or city would entail co-authorship, which enhances the chances for longer lasting support. The researcher, being an experienced practitioner emphasizes the importance of the way participants interact in the decision-making process, which is often seen as a black-box with surprising outputs. The novel "interactions approach" addresses the question how the experiences of participants may result in perceptions and feelings of co-ownership and more importantly, of co-authorship. The empiric study analysis five projects in four European countries. The interrelations between context and content factors established within the cases confirmed the influence on effectiveness in decision-making rounds and the eventual success of co-designing a scenario for future development. The importance of open processes so that creativity is enabled and design methods can be practiced is essential. Involving of design trained experts and facilitating a design attitude in the decision making process of development strategies increases the possibilities of innovation in future circumstances. The author hopes to bridge the worlds of planning theory and planning practice.