Experiences from a participation 35 process in Göttingen Osterode Design Thinking as a target-oriented method for the participation of young people
Alexandra Bradtke
Research Institute for Regional and Urban Development gGmbH
DOI 10.7480/rius.6.93 KEYWORDS participation, Design Thinking, teenagers, inclusive target group. In particular, they tested the method of Design Thinking as a as Thinking Design of method the tested particular, they In group. target to youth background paper we consider the this In participation. youth of form by investigating particular in fostered, be can this how at participation and look motivating in be successful to found is This Thinking. of Design method the design. young people to get involved in urban In the district of Göttingen Osterode am Harz (a.H.), researchers and regional and researchers Harz (a.H.), am Osterode Göttingen district of the In participation the encourage to methods various considered have managers the in can be achieved that results concrete some identifying teenagers, of public transport. One approach to sparking the interest of young people, people, young of interest the sparking approach to One public transport. the internet. is to use online or on their smartphones, who are constantly their foster required to are participation digital than other methods However, of account takes that participation of dedicated form a We need involvement: and attractive and ideas in an interesting requirements wishes, peoples’ young way. spectators. Young people form a heterogeneous group of individuals who of individuals who group form a heterogeneous people Young spectators. explicitly seriously, be taken want to it However, addressed and motivated. participatory in part take to youngsters motivate and reach to easy not is at school, time-consuming frequently have a busy schedule They processes. areas with inadequate long travelling distances in rural leisure activities and Abstract are they community, the of members equal are people young Although can be This problem processes. planning excluded from municipal generally mere more than them making participation, thereby by fostering resolved
RIUS 6: INCLUSIVE URBANISM 36 EXPERIENCES FROM A PARTICIPATION PROCESS IN GÖTTINGEN OSTERODE 37
------Introduction and background and Introduction What is participation?
2. Participation is a recurring theme in the political, administrative and 1. Demographic of an ageing the form change in population is changing ipation, however, should be seen as a discourse, i.e. an ongoing process that implies It 2015). (Sommer decision voiced clearly a to lead necessarily not will an opening of planning and policy processes to civic participation through involvement takes place or should take place. While some people are satisfied are people some While place. take should or place takes involvement when they are regularly informed about ongoing processes, partic Citizen others 9). p. want 2017, (Nanz influence to exert and procedures in participate process. They demand the right to veto, to protest or propose (Nanz & Fritsche & (Nanz propose or protest to veto, to right the demand They process. 2012, p. 9). What remains unclear, however, is the extent to which this public arena. Over the years it has attracted varying degrees of interest and popularity (Stange 2013, p. 13). Clearly, citizens wish to have a say in public planning, in urban developments or projects and in related decision-making applied to public planning processes. this method in actually involving young people in the planning process. The when Thinking Design of benefits and use the elucidate to is article the of aim promising, is Design Thinking. The background to this method is explained in explained is method this to background The Thinking. Design is promising, exam real-world A applied. be can it how of details with along following, the ple from the Göttingen-Osterode a.H. is presented to confirm the success of generally been on adults rather than young people, who are seen as a diffi cult target group to reach and motivate. Innovative methods to foster their participation are needed. One such method, which has proven to be highly lenges in helping to design the urban environment as well as public services. A central topic of social development in the 21st century is to foster the par ticipation of citizens, children and young people. Hitherto, the focus has consumers but also actors with the power to shape events, and thus should no longer be excluded from planning. Young people must take on new chal vision of public services, which are These opportunities have endangered to be adapted to current circumstances. by Teenagers demographic change. only not are They important role in this process. are playing an increasingly but are encouraged to be self-confident and involved in their communities (Baden-Württembergstiftung gGmbH 2015, p. 9). to the pro decisions relating are needed, especially for co-determination New opportunities for flow from ruralareas to ever moredensely populated conurbations.Against this backdrop of an ageing society and the problems of citizens generation the youngest that not neglected are ensure sential to this brings, it is es the structure of society. Furthermore, this trend will reinforce the migratory this trend Furthermore, of society. the structure
- - - : Level of participation Figure 1 Source: Own representation after Arnstein (1969, p. 216 ff) ara. 3 SGB VIII (Social Code) ara. 3 SGB BauGB (Building Code) BauGB (Building Depending on the viewpoint of the actor, whether politician, public plan public politician, whether actor, the of viewpoint the on Depending In Germany, legal regulations for citizen participation are specified at all § 8 Para. 1 SGB VIII (Child and Youth Welfare Act) and Youth Welfare 1 SGB VIII (Child § 8 Para. ordinances. municipal country-specific § 3 § 1 P of participation in the political process of opinion formation and decision- making (Kaase 1995, p. 521). public in administrative decisions (Schubert & Klein 2001). In this context, Kaase emphasizes the voluntary nature of participation: First and foremost, citizen participation encompasses all activities that citizens undertake on a voluntary basis to influence decisions at different levels of the politicalsys goal-oriented action in the sense as instrumental, This is understood tem. Generally speaking, we can say that participation refers to the active partici the indeed, or, affairs (political) common of handling the in citizens of pation association, or group (a organization some of members of participation active etc.) in the common (organizational) affairs. It implies the involvement of people in political decision-making processes, in particular in elections and referendums. In a legal sense, participation refers to the involvement of the - - ways. different in understood be will participation officer, welfare youth or ner information, participation and cooperation (Selle 2004). 2004). (Selle cooperation and participation information, ordinances: in the following levels, for example procedural - -
RIUS 6: INCLUSIVE URBANISM 38 EXPERIENCES FROM A PARTICIPATION PROCESS IN GÖTTINGEN OSTERODE 39
- - - non-partici delegated power delegated , . The possibility of partnership (Herrmann 2002, p. 16). Ulti 1 implies political an act of that, through degrees of citizen power citizen participation , are classified as . Here the public and an outside observer are manipulated into thinking into manipulated are observer outside an and public the Here . In every participation process, it is unclear whether the aims of the In Arnstein’s model, only three of the eight specified forms of citizen Participation Participation can be broken down into a number of different levels (as citizen control Due to a lack of time, interest or motivation or a (temporary) surfeit of participation measures, etc. 1 from adults to children and adolescents (Fatke & Biebricher 2006, p. 26). from adults to children and adolescents (Fatke & Biebricher 2006, p. 26). are accorded sufficient power means this participation, youth and child to to influenceregard with Especially processes. decision-making and shaping that part of the power of sovereignty over one’s own lifestyle is transferred and administrative will, citizens are given the chance to actively participate in participate actively to chance the given are citizens will, administrative and decision-making and planning activities. In addition, it implies that citizens as their diverse interests, etc. Moreover, for individuals wish to be permanent participants a variety of reasons, not all mately, the term participate in every decision-making process. In large cities, in particular, this is impossible for a range of factors: The expense and time ensure participation, required the to number and distribution of the population as well for citizens (cf. Elsmann 2017, p. 115ff). participants will be implemented in concrete decisions. Not all citizens can and exerting influence is relatively high, even if theydo not accord a leading role participants actually have the opportunity to make their own decisions and exert influence on the final decision-making process. For thistop rungs of participation in this model, namely reason, the into account in the decision-making process. These forms of participation thus lack penetrating power, since the decision-making authority is located in Only the three top with rulers. the corresponding rungs of the model do Accordingly, the other forms merely pretend to pursue this goal. Although they enable participants to formulate their own views and ensure that these are heard, they do not guarantee that views and demands are actually taken participation are instances of genuine influence exerted by all participants. manipulation, the lowest level of public participation, also called called also participation, public of level lowest the manipulation, pation 1969, p. 216ff). is in progress (cf. Arnstein that public participation end product. According to this model, citizen control is the highest level of authority that can be achieved, namely when citizens are fully in charge of a policy or plan. In contrast, the bottom rung of the ladder is described as ipation and something that merely masquerades The ladder as illustrates the public power and participation. powerlessness of people: Each eight rungs corresponds to of a different level of the citizenpower to influence the shown shown in Figure 1). Here we borrow from the eight-step model Sherry devised Arnstein by to reveal the difference between genuine optimal partic
- - - - State of research
The rare instances of children’s participation are currently related to Hitherto, participation has been understood as adult participation, 3. In recent years, there have been a number of technical and scientific Here Here it is important to stress the relevance of Arnstein’s model, which municipal planning, specifically urban planning and (re)development such as traffic planning (the design of traffic routes, cycle paths and the safety of centres. day-care in or schools in place takes also Participation routes). school One exemplary area for the participation of younger children is in media and nication have often been rather neglected in Germany (Science in rather a been Dialogue generally has science in children of participation The 9). p. 2011, marginal area, with much research still to be done. Indeed, there have only been a few serious attempts to carry out online participation processes with young people (see Ertelt 2012, p. 82). other hand, we have citizens, children and young people, who wish to contribute to wish who people, young and children citizens, have we hand, other their opinions, expectations, specific experiences andScientists can use the knowledge gained in this way to analyze the processes, value orientations. plans and procedures and, if necessary, further develop, improve or revise these. Hitherto, however, these participatory elements of scientific commu general concepts (Stange 2013, p. 13). especially in urban development research. The target groups has participation been viewed as of irrelevant not only different in practice but also in research. On the one hand, we have knowledge, scientists, (research who and can professional) contribute experience their and expertise. On the cal projects (best practice examples are particularly popular). existence of some pilot projects, we can basically say that Despite various theoretical the approaches which have been devised have not yet been adopted in day-to- day practice. There has certainly been no attempt at the structural anchor ing of participation. Similarly, is there and coherent a of independent dearth discussions on the subject of participation as well as research and practi Stout (2010) or Collins and Ison (2006). This ongoing critical examination of participation. of issue the in interest continued the reflects Ladder Arnstein’s At the same time, it also confirms that no magic formula has been found to in processes decision-making in participation effective and successful ensure 116). and planning (Elsmann 2017, p. the fields of politics was developed more than 40 years tions, ago. we can say While that this approach acknowledging is still relevant today its in discussions on referred limita have topic the on papers subsequent numerous Indeed, participation. to Arnstein’s Ladder of Citizen Participation, for example Cornwall (2008),
RIUS 6: INCLUSIVE URBANISM 40 EXPERIENCES FROM A PARTICIPATION PROCESS IN GÖTTINGEN OSTERODE 41
- - - - ein Ju §2 of the German Civil Code ) is defined as being between 14 and 18 years old (JGG 1974). Also Participation as a part of ‘InclusiveParticipation as a part Urbanism’
Clearly, ‘youth’ does not define itself but rather is determined exter 4. experts some For people’. ‘young by mean we what clarify to important is It Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch [BGB] 2002). The target group in the investigated in the design and planning of nurseries, schoolgrounds or playgrounds. Yet it Yet playgrounds. or schoolgrounds nurseries, of planning and design the in cannot be denied that young people constitute the future of any community. For this reason, they must be encouraged to participate in decision-making many actors see the participation of young people as a highly costly and un decision- the from excluded often so are they why is That exercise. comfortable making processes around urban planning. Where there is participation, it is the right to express their positions within the social debate about the future, Yet 1). p. 2013, al. et (Siefken community the shaping in role active an play and process than enrich the decision-making basis (Fürst & Scholles 2008 p. 163). p. 2008 Scholles & (Fürst basis decision-making the enrich than process rarely they decisions, political by affected always almost are youngsters While have the opportunity to influence them. It is essential that they be accorded them, especially if they see no direct connection decision- to many addition, In p.22). 2012a, their (Stange involved are technical time of lives periods the or disrupt if to longer likely more as people young regard planners and makers level that children and young people should effective. nor and correct neither want speaking, to generally is, be view this involved However, topics. in all Young people – as well as adults – are not interested in everything around of young people. Sometimes, however, the level of participation is to that similar of adults: There is the assumption at the political and administrative as the social group of young people becomes progressively complicated and and resistance hidden find we Often 9f). p. 2006, Alemann (Von multi-layered participation the to administrators and politicians of part the on reservations case is between 15 and 18 years old. case is between 15 and 18 years old. nally by older social groups. This definition becomes increasingly difficult gendlicher the age of majority in Germany is 18, as stated in ( and actors, these are simply teenagers, i.e. youngsters aged between 13 and 19 (Von Alemann 2006, p. 9f). Under German law, a young person ( in large gaps in this topic. in large gaps procedures procedures as well as their influence on future development (Stange 2010). research. in investment of a lack from suffers field this that doubt no is resulting There research, of field a as addressed hardly are particular, in people, Young cultural work, for example in video projects, on various children’s news chan news children’s various on projects, video in example for work, cultural focus the Here children. older by websites of design self-organized the or nels is on learning effects relevant to pedagogical research that result from such
------What is Design Thinking? What is Design Design Thinking in participation processes using the example of the participation
process in Göttingen 5.1 Design Thinking is an approach intended to solve problems and develop 5. If teenagers see that they are not treated as objects or spectators in their In addition, some experts believe that public actors are afraid of young To experience To social relationships: contributing their own opinions and re To feel up to date: speedy access to information; feel up to date: speedy access to To Due to their own interests or subjective motives: self-concern, financial re assistance, also to counter bullying; receive mutual support: mutual To to events and launch appeals; mobilize participation: draw attention To convincing from the user’s point of view. It is neither a method nor a process, process, a nor method a neither is It view. of point user’s the from convincing but an approach based on the three basic principles: team, space and process (Website Hasso-Plattner-Institut Academy GmbH (2020)). Strictly speak ing, Design Thinking is a multifaceted set of methods used to solve complex new ideas. It is based on the assumption that problems an in together work can disciplines different from people if way satisfactory be more solved in a environment that promotes creativity. The goal is to find solutions that are - et al. 2015, pp. 149, 164 & 168). ceiving (positive) feedback (Kutscher Dortmund, young people participate for a variety of reasons, for example: Dortmund, young people participate - - ward, fun, etc.; - - own community, but are respected and valued as well as trusted to take on im on take to trusted as well as valued and respected are but community, own portant tasks, this can be regarded as participation (Hüther 2013, p.41). Such desire the and inclusivity of sense a fosters processes planning in involvement for further participation. According to a study by the Technical University of are not in a position to this. Because do of this fear, they are unwilling to allow opinion their for people young ask actually which out carried be to procedures and which are also immediately accessible to the public. This 2012. (Ertelt fear into turns trust of Too lack this and people, young in placed little trust is in included little so are youngsters why of explanation clearest the perhaps is public planning. ticipation: Actors fear the possible loss of control if young people can express express can people young if control of loss possible the fear Actors ticipation: themselves in an uncontrolled and unfiltered fashion.Yet the formation of to deal construc opinion is essential to try daily process. It is a continual and tively with the loss of control that is evident, among decision-makers administrative of number large extraordinarily An internet. other places, on the processes. Participation by children and young people is often viewed by adults adults by viewed often is people young and children by Participation processes. as a risky endeavour: Youngsters 7). (Wergin 2000, p. in social life ideal of participation unrealistic generally have their own, sometimes par of nature binding the to related is this (2012), Ertelt to According people.
RIUS 6: INCLUSIVE URBANISM 42 EXPERIENCES FROM A PARTICIPATION PROCESS IN GÖTTINGEN OSTERODE 43
- . Here values of the brainstorming phase : Steps of Design Thinking Figure 2 understanding The first step is The respective steps do not form a fixed sequence running from left to Design Thinking is a combination of understanding, observation, brain Source: Own representation according to Website Hasso-Plattner-Institut Academy GmbH (2020) Source: Own representation according to Website Encourage wild ideas, later you can be more specific; wild ideas, later you can be Encourage idea. Defer judgement, accept criticism and rework your Be visual, be creative and make sketches; One conversation at a time – listen carefully; - - adhered to: - - are clearly defined. There are a number of important criteria which have to be to have which criteria important of number a are There defined. clearly are done satisfactorily, it is quite possible to start again with the creation of the persona. right. Instead, if a step has been completed and a problem occurs, you can go back to a previous phase. For example, if testing and refining have not been storming, refinement, execution and learning. The process usually consists of six steps: for the development or redesign of products, but also for services, strategies to employed was method the case, investigated the In processes. internal and Osterode a.H. of young people in Göttingen foster the participation jointly solve a problem while considering everyone’s needs and motivations. only In not suitable this is way, approach concepts Thinking are Design The developed (2018)). and GmbH tested media yeebase at several stages (Website problems problems and to develop contemporary products. Nevertheless, it can also be applied to the improvement of services or to encourage participation (see designthinkingcoach). Under this approach, a group of people attempt to
- : Profile template : Template Persona Figure 3 Figure 4 is a key element. This means that the group or the groups (each (each groups the or group the that means This element. key a is For further planning it helps to create a persona, as in this example. A Subsequently, the group has to develop a common standpoint. This can Observing What are the interests, disparities and problems? the interests, disparities What are Who is the target group? Who is the group? this the target What makes persona is a representation of the people who will in the end visit or use this realized concept. This makes it easier to place yourself in the position of the has to note all kind of ideas the without next discussion. step and The assigned ideas different priorities are (based ranked on feasibility, in effort, fixed in a concept. demand, etc.). These ideas are prospects of success, - model a i.e. prototype, a build and concept a develop ideas, generate to used be to vividly illustrate what the realized idea could look like. At first the group consisting consisting of a maximum of six to seven members) has to consider these is sues: - -
RIUS 6: INCLUSIVE URBANISM 44 EXPERIENCES FROM A PARTICIPATION PROCESS IN GÖTTINGEN OSTERODE 45
- The method of Design Thinking takes into account the special needs and It is essential to ensure that the teams (each with a maximum of six people) six of maximum a with (each teams the that ensure to essential is It When the group decides the prototype is finished, it has to be tested. By encouraging them to have fun. them to have By encouraging By providing some tangible results. Other formats merely create sketches, By giving them the opportunity to discuss their ideas directly with experts. By developing things offline that can later be edited, presented and discussed and presented edited, be later can that offline things developing By By encouraging a lively exchange with other groups of youngsters, all of By offering young people a variety of opportunities to develop and present Build on the ideas of others. Build on the ideas Aim for quantity; Stay on topic; something that can be presented to everyone in a vivid way. - This gives them direct feedback, which they can accept or reject. - pages of notes or flow charts with illustrations. Design Thinking creates is supported by Design Thinking. - learn from their differences. - This digitally. and analogue both move, the on are today people Young online. ideas. They can develop their creativity, promote it and show their talents. ideas. They can develop their creativity, - can and common in lot a have They purpose. same the for involved are whom means of communication of young people in various ways: means of communication of young - lowed (Website Hasso-Plattner-Institut Academy GmbH (2020)). lowed (Website Hasso-Plattner-Institut variety of fields, the problem can be approached from diverse perspectives. Creativity is encouraged by concepts for mobile working: Standing, running, sitting on dice, writing on whiteboards, etc. Everything is possible and al are interdisciplinary. People of different ages, social and national backgrounds, national and social ages, different of People interdisciplinary. are educational attainment, etc. ensure a large range of experiences as well as background knowledge. With their different talents and creativity in a wide - - - process is repeated until the developers are satisfied. It is important to under- to important is It satisfied. are developers the until repeated is process be to has moment the thus and ‘perfect’ be never can prototype the that stand should not forget to: considered ‘finished’. The developer chosen when it is That means that the group has to introduce the prototype to other groups, groups, other prototype to the has to introduce group the that That means people or experts. Then the Design Thinking group(s) get feedback, which is This feedback. further elicit to presentation before model the in incorporated mâché, modelling clay or polystyrene. There are no limits to creativity: The better. prototype, the convincing the more visually target person (shown in Figures target 3 person and in (shown 4). this When Figures is completed, prototypes used be can materials different of selection A concept. the from developed are to construct models, for example Lego bricks, cardboard, paper or papier-
- - - - Youth participation in Göttingen with Design Thinking with Design in Göttingen participation Youth Objectives of the participation project are either too few young people there that the region, In it was found The problem with this method, as with most other participation methods, methods, participation other most with as method, this with problem The Therefore, a major concern of the communities in Göttingen Osterode It is not surprising that when the total population shrinks, the number 5.2 According to forecasts, all the municipalities of Göttingen Osterode a.H. who could make use of the facilities but do not want to. While the district of Göttingen and city of Göttingen are aware of the low utilization rates of the is no addition, there In this remain unclear. for centres, the reasons youth they what people, young by centres leisure of accessibility the on information first workshop. Once the youngsters became convinced of the method and the and method the of convinced became youngsters the Once workshop. first invested their free time. participation process, they voluntarily who use the municipal leisure facilities or there exist groups of young people approached in order to make initial contact and motivate cifically, teenagers. a workshop Spe was offered in a school auditorium. The participating young people thus avoided any extra trips to another location; furthermore, work the of duration the for lessons from exempted were schoolchildren the shop. This proved to be a decisive motivation for them to get involved in the approaches to encourage participation, such as Design Thinking, have a vital people young of interest the spark to way only the is participation Clearly, role. community. and persuade them to remain in their is how to persuade young people to in Design take Thinking. the In Göttingen, initial it step became to clear that get schools involved have to be action and, ultimately, structural adjustment (Waibel 2010, p. 7). adjustment (Waibel 2010, p. 7). action and, ultimately, structural a.H. is to retain young people in the region or encourage them to return. In order to convince teenagers of the benefits of living in their community, it is necessary to know what their wishes and needs are. This is precisely where Here the number of 0 to 10-year-olds is forecast to decrease by an average of 21% and the number of 10 to 18-year-olds by as much as 41% in the period in cohort, maternal shrinking the to attributed largely be can This 2010-2025. contraceptive the to access had have to women of generation first the particular results This births. fewer in resulting 1960s), the of half second the (from pill municipal requires which problem a infrastructure, of underutilization the in services. services. The further away a community is from the city of [2010], p. 9). Stiftung it is to shrink (Bertelsmann more likely Göttingen, the and young people of children in the im the region Indeed, decreases. also hardest: the groups age specific hit can decline population general the of pact will shrink by 2025. Only the city of Göttingen could emerge unscathed from the process of stagnation: As a major centre, it possesses functions appre ciated by the population, who do not wish to be cut off from valuableurban
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- - - - Initially, the participants were given some information as well as an out an as well as information some given were participants the Initially, The first workshop The first workshop dedicatedto Design Thinking took place on aTues According to experts, offline participation should only be carried out in For this reason, it was decided to run workshops in Göttingen. Since While online participation is currently an important approach, it is not While online participation is currently is poorly developed. The fact that school principals exempted these teenagers these exempted principals school that fact The developed. poorly is from classes proved to a great motivation to participate. to the workshop location in the morning and brought back in the afternoon. Otherwise, those who go to schools in other communities would have found it difficult to reach the venue, as public transport inrural areas of the region day morning in February 2018 at a vocational school in Osterode a.H. Some of the 19 young people (five girls and 14 boys) were driven by youthworkers be done within the framework of this article. Furthermore, the online platform online the Furthermore, article. this of framework the within done be of representation and investigation particular our to irrelevant as seen be can in the following discussion. the project, and therefore will be ignored in the workshops due to time constraints or because the travel distances were distances travel the because or constraints time to due workshops the in too great. The online participation region as carried out in the model was a cannot this Unfortunately, description. detailed requiring approach, complex the workshop format with an online platform. The aim was to interest young people and facilitate the participation of those who were unable to take part occasions. Design Thinking seemed optimal for this. occasions. Design Thinking seemed supplement to decided was it Therefore, participation. online with combination young people should not just give their input once, but actually contribute to finding a solution, a format had to be chosen which sparked the interest of young people and motivated them to actually deal with the topic on multiple They wish to get to know the people behind the participation project, and thus and project, participation the behind people the know to get to wish They direct discussions. chance to participate offline in should be given the of them and showing that their ideas are well-received. In addition, young people who are less active online attach importance to face-to-face contact. the only one. Workshops are suitable for making direct contact with teen agers, clarifying open questions, identifying the persons who are taking care time youngsters have for participation and the extent to which digital media have gained influence on leisure and mobility behaviour (Siefken et al. 2013, p. 51ff). p. 1; Stange 2012a, in terms of accessibility. Clearly, in order for municipalities to plan for the future, they first need to know what young people’s needs, wishes and ideas of amount investigating the includes facilities. This leisure to regard with are do in their leisure time (or would like to do but cannot) and what they would change in their region. The aim of the participation project was fy to the identi current leisure and mobility behaviour of local teenagers, especially
- - : Prototypes and Concepts] Source: Own pictures Figure 5 stop as well as the mountain bike route. The typical feedback steps of Design Thinking aimed at criticizing the con the criticizing at aimed Thinking Design of steps feedback typical The The ideas were elaborated by means of a specific concept and the con To create an official cycle route for mountain bikers. create an official To To establish a cinema for foreign-language films in Osterode a.H.; for foreign-language films in establish a cinema To To change the bus times to better suit the school schedule and introduce a Upper row: concept and prototype cinema; lower row: prototype bus connection, represented by a bus Upper row: concept and prototype cinema; lower Moreover, they took criticism seriously, revising their concepts and prototypes and concepts their revising seriously, criticism took they Moreover, in preparation for the second workshop. The approach such decision-makers of by as well as Design participants the by well-received very Thinking was as the mayors of Osterode a.H. and Bad Grund, who were invited to attend cepts were conducted in a balanced and constructive fashion. The participants The fashion. constructive and balanced a in conducted were cepts enjoyed developing concepts, building prototypes and talking about these. - 5. as shown in Figure struction of a prototype, the needs of their leisure facilities. As a result, three groups were formed to main ideas: in the following resulting develop concepts, - - new tariff structure; line of the goal by a regional manager and the author of this article. The aim out point region, the in problems the understand people young the help to was they contribution what as well as influence exert and involved get can they how can make to improve the leisure facilities and their accessibility. In addition, they should develop a general awareness of the problem of accessibility and
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- and local welfare youth Dransfeld Community Centre Dransfeld Community Zweckverband Südniedersachen Bikepark Salzdetfurth Bad The workshops were an interesting and successful experience for all Results from the workshops The young people discussed their concepts with the invited experts. Even experts. invited the with concepts their discussed people young The The second workshop Another workshop took place in April 2018 in teenagers. They learned that if their ideas are rethought worked and well out presented, concretely, they are can exert influenceand small been previously andhad municipality the in role fostertheir that noticed They change. them want to continue working after the workshops (Protocol on Workshops and Mobility 2018, Dransfeld). Behaviour on Youth Leisure who showed such a lack of interest that it seemed he or she was only present by encouraged were people young The lessons. school cancelled the of because the experts’ praise for their mostly well thought-out concepts, which made the young people as equals. Discussions among the young people were also fair and objective. In the meantime they had become well acquainted, were very friendly and and respectful towards one another. There was no one left though some of the latter made critical though comments, the young people were happy to engage in discussion. At the same time, treated the and experts contacts made sugges named resolved, be could aspects negative how to as tions officers took part in the workshop. officers took part in the workshop. developed topics, in particular with experiences from previous projects or their or projects previous from experiences with particular in topics, developed professional activities. A representative of the the of representative a as well as municipal representatives and an external moderator were also present. The author of the article also supported the young people at this this workshop. case, the In invited experts were persons with particular knowledge of the girls and ten boys) from the first workshop took part in this second workshop; workshop; second this in part took workshop first the from boys) ten and girls the other seven did not take part due to were no longer motivated or interested in the topics. Experts, workers, time youth constraints or because they to the workshop locations was one hour in certain cases. It would have been even more complicated to make the trip by public transport. 12 youths (two to discuss the feasibility and implementation of the prototypes with experts. Also held on a Tuesday morning, some of the homes young youngsters’ people the were once from again time Travel workers. youth local by car by brought routes, land ownership, financial issues as well as likely steps hurdles (Protocol Workshop on Leisure Behaviour and and next Mobility 2018, Osterode am Harz). the later workshop and expressed their approval of the developed ideas. One mayor, an enthusiastic cyclist, promised the young people his support. After the workshop, he invited the youngsters to his office discussto possible
: this group continued to pursue its : this group was forced to abandon the : this group developed a proposal for a new tariff Conclusion 6. Participation is a very important theme and a necessary citizens’ right Official cycle route for mountain biking Change of the bus times Cinema with foreign-language films developed well thought-out concepts, which they were happy to revise and which proved highly realistic. These concepts were built as prototypes and they until adapted were prototypes the Subsequently, experts. with discussed were actually worth implementing. of reasons such as fear of their input or because of limited budgets, time or personnel. In addition, teenagers are often not trusted to be able to develop the However, practice. into put be actually can that sphere public the for ideas case study of youth participation in Göttingen Osterode a.H. shows how the approach of Design Thinking can be used to encourage young people express teenagers the case this In way. involved and structured creative, a in ideas their (Eisel [no year], p.271 ff). Nonetheless, youth participation is an unpopular subject in public planning. The involvement of children and young people is often seen as risky by adults, who have their own, at times unrealistic, idea of the correct level of participation of youngsters in social life (Wergin 2000, p. 7). Young people are excluded from public planning processes for a variety on their project (status: 4/2018) developed concept. The participants were supported by a things, the other Among Mountainbike-Schul-AG. local founded newly the by mayor as well as planned. been have routes some and established been already has lobby cyclist In the meantime, however, these young people have finished their schooling work to interest or time more no have they Therefore, graduate. soon will and structure structure for the local transport network and submitted it to the responsible scenarios into flowed proposals Price (ZVSN). Südniedersachsen Zweckverband and measures of the new tariff report at the ZVSN. The corresponding report the summer of 2019. was published in project due to the burden of schoolwork and the difficulty of the topic. Despite topic. the of difficulty the and schoolwork of burden the to due project unable were people young two the welfare, youth Göttinger the of support the concept. to implement their largely largely ignored. In this way they felt excluded. Nevertheless, the workshops showed them that when they come together and bring adult actors on board, really make a difference. they can
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------Based on the experiences from Göttingen, the following recommendations recommendations following the Göttingen, from experiences the on Based Future Future research projects on Design Thinking should primarily focus on In order for Design Thinking to be utilized effectively in public participa public in effectively utilized be to Thinking Design for order In It must also be recognized that, despite effective participation methods, Due to limited time and the approaching from school, graduation one pro The attendance by mayors at one workshop gave a clear indication how As part of the participation method, it is important to foster good relations - breaks, long sufficient have should They people. young between exchange and informal conversations with each other. which they can have during can be made for the further application of Design Thinking: application can be made for the further convince schools to cooperate. Therefore, the question remains how young people can otherwise be contacted and motivated. pation processes can be a great help, as pupils spend more than half of their participation if time free valuable their of any lose not will They school. in day projects are organized during school hours. However, it can be a problem to how to increase motivation to participate and make contacts. Clearly, it a huge is problem to reach and motivate young people, who often have many interests and limited free time. Here the involvement of schools in partici way, the mentioned challenges way, challenges of emigration, the mentioned demographic undersupply, many municipalities. change, etc. could be overcome by ment not only generates ideas but also encourages participants to view their place of residence positively and develop or increase a sense of home. In this young people must be taken “by the hand” and given sufficient support. They support. sufficient given and hand” the “by taken be must people young teenagers of participation the Yet own. their on ideas their implement cannot Involve communities: local their in remain to are they if encouraged be must tion processes, it is necessary that the method and its application be well un well be application its and method the that necessary is it processes, tion in a few municipalities. this know-how is only available derstood. Currently, workshops in Göttingen Osterode a.H. persuaded core actors from the admin the from actors core persuaded a.H. Osterode Göttingen in workshops people and their ideas. do not need to be afraid of young istration that they discuss, revise and implement ideas within a short period of time. These are working steps that have previously not been entrusted to young people. The they are ready to be presented to municipal authorities in a comprehensible manner. Design Thinking is a target-oriented method to get young people involved in urban design. It allows participants to develop, present, critically ject ground to a halt before it could progress to the final stages. Yet there is little is there Yet stages. final the to progress could it before halt a to ground ject doubt that Design Thinking is a very good method to foster the participation of young people. Initial ideas can be generalized, discussed and revised until tion was so structured, thoughtful and respectful. There was a respectful. There and thoughtful calm, pleasant tion was so structured, and accepted. was expressed in which criticism atmosphere this type of participation is received by key players: The mayors were not only only not were mayors The players: key by received is participation of type this impressed by the ideas of the young people but also by how the collabora ------(p. Par Kopaed . (p. 82) APuZ -Aus Politik -Aus APuZ Leske + Budrich Handbuch Theorien und Theorien Handbuch (4), (no information) Reprinted by permis JAIP, 35 Bertelsmann Stiftung (pp.161-178). Verlag Dorothea Rohn Kinder- und Jugendbeteiligung in Deutschland. Entwicklungsstand und Jugendbeteiligung junger Menschen (Grundlagen - Perspektiven, Fallstudi Zukunft mit uNS! – Qualifizierung Jugendlicher in Beteiligungsprozessen
. [PhD dissertation]. Fakultät für Georessourcen und Materialtechnik der Rhein Materialtechnik Georessourcen und [PhD dissertation]. Fakultät für Bürgerforen. Ein lokalpolitisches Experiment der Sozialen Stadt. Regional Railway Governance Akteursnetzwerke im regionalen Bahnsystem im inter (pp. 24-32) Regional Railway Governance Akteursnetzwerke im regionalen Bahnsystem im interna [PhD Thesis]. Fakultät für Georessourcen und Materialtechnik der Rheinisch-West Materialtechnik und Georessourcen [PhD Thesis]. Fakultät für (pp. 271-273). Wiesbaden. Under Design Thinking, every participation process is unique. Young REFERENCES - sion of The American Planning Association.DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01944366908977225 sion of The American Planning Association.DOI: In Nr. 2. Handreichung mune; und Zeitgeschichte Methoden der Raum- und Umweltplanung nationalen Vergleich isch-Westfälischen Technischen Hochschule Aachen. gestaltende Zugänge für Jugendliche zur Demokratieentwicklung. In K. Lutz, E. Rösch, D. Seitz, tizipation und Engagement im Netz. Neue Chancen für Demokratie und Medienpädagogik Verlag. tionalen Vergleich fälischen Technischen Hochschule Aachen. J. Tremmel & M. Rutsche (Eds.), en) 9). e.kurz+co. druck und medientechnik gmbH. Handlungsansätze; 1. Auflage 2010. Bielefeld. Fatke, R., & Biebricher, M. (2006). Jugendbeteiligung - Chance für die Bürgergesellschaft. die für Chance - Jugendbeteiligung (2006). M. Biebricher, & R., Fatke, (Eds.), Scholles F. Fürst, D. In Planung. Partizipative (2008). F. Scholles, & D., Fürst, Herrmann, H. (2002). Elsmann, D. (2017). Ertelt, J. (2012). Mehr Beteiligung realisieren durch digitale Medien und Internet. ePartizipation schafft Elsmann, D. (2017). In Internet. im Jugendbeteiligung Zur Demokratiekompetenz: braucht Technikfaszination (2006). S. Eisel, Baden-Württembergstiftung gGmbH (Eds.). (2015). In Zukunft mit uns! – Jugendbeteiligung in der Kom Bertelsmann Stiftung (Eds.). (2010). Arnstein, S.R. (1969). A ladder of citizen participation. Young people have to be met at eye level and are very results-oriented. If Good Good moderation may be required in those cases where there is not an even It is vital to get schools on board. If young people are enabled to participate the level of creativity, the balance of introverted or extroverted individuals, the general mood, the developmental level, etc. Flexibility is called upon to factors in the participation process. deal with the range and variation of hensible reason why they cannot be implemented. Of course, some ideas can to be replaced. whilst others have simply be revised, people are such a heterogeneous target group that each participation process must be considered individually. The results will depend on the age youngsters, their social environment, the of type of school, the gender balance, the in school and during class time, this will boost motivation enormously as they they as enormously motivation boost will this time, class during and school in do not have to give up any of their leisure time and make. have no extra trips to - some ideas are entirely unfeasible, the youngsters must be given a compre - balance between extroverted and introverted youngsters. Otherwise, it can conversation the dominate can boys self-confident that example, for happen, of quieter girls. at the expense -
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Hüther, https://hpi-academy.de/design-thinking/was-ist-design-thinking.html 04.05.2020 Last visited: t3n digital pioneers yeebase media GmbH (28.11.2018): https://t3n.de/news/wie-funktioniert-design-thinking-1128592/ Last visited: 04.05.2020 WEBPAGES thinking (2020): Design Designthinkingcoach https://designthinkingcoach.de/ 04.05.2020 Last visited: (2020): hpi-academy Academy GmbH Hasso-Plattner-Institut
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