Short answer

Incorporate user storytelling and social practice analysis into the design process to ensure that sustainable intentions are aligned with and supported by the lived realities of the people who will use and manage the designed environment.

Field: User-Centred Design
Source: cIRcle (University of British Columbia) (2015)
Method: Qualitative narrative analysis combined with social practice theory.
Evidence: Moderate effect

Understanding the lived narratives of residents and managers is crucial for the successful implementation of sustainable urban development projects, as stated intentions can diverge from actual practices. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2015 study published in cIRcle (University of British Columbia). Using Qualitative narrative analysis combined with social practice theory., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Incorporate user storytelling and social practice analysis into the design process to ensure that sustainable intentions are aligned with and supported by the lived realities of the people who will use and manage the designed environment.

Study

User-Centred DesignHigh ImpactModerate effect

Narrative analysis reveals disconnect between sustainable design intentions and resident practices

cIRcle (University of British Columbia) · 2015

Key Findings

01Broad metanarratives of sustainability in policy and media significantly influenced the perceptions and practices of residents and managers.
02The actual practices of residents and managers within the neighbourhood continue to evolve, demonstrating a dynamic relationship with the designed sustainable environment.
03There is a notable intersection between the intended social and ecological goals of the development and the lived experiences of its constituents.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When designing any community-focused project, conduct in-depth interviews and observational studies to understand the existing narratives and practices of potential users, and use this to inform and refine design decisions.

Project actions

01When researching user needs, go beyond surveys and ask users to tell stories about their experiences with similar products or environments.
02Consider how the stories users tell might reveal underlying assumptions or values that conflict with your design goals.

Method & Evidence

AimHow do the lived narratives of residents and managers intersect with and challenge the intended sustainability narratives of an urban development project?

MethodQualitative narrative analysis combined with social practice theory.

ProcedureThe study analyzed the stories and experiences of various stakeholders involved in Vancouver's Olympic Village, from planners to residents and managers, to understand how sustainability intentions were translated into practice and how these practices evolved over time.

ContextUrban sustainable neighbourhood development, specifically Vancouver's Olympic Village.

Variables

IVIntended sustainability narratives (policy, media, design goals).

DVLived narratives and practices of residents and managers.

CVSpecific urban development context (Vancouver's Olympic Village).

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Provides a rich, qualitative understanding of user engagement with sustainable design.
+Integrates social practice theory to explain the dynamic interplay between design and behavior.

Limitations

Gathering rich narrative data can be time-consuming, and interpreting subjective stories requires careful analysis to avoid bias.

Reliability & validity

Reliability can be enhanced through triangulation of data sources (e.g., interviews, observations, documents). Validity is strengthened by ensuring that the interpretation of narratives accurately reflects the participants' experiences.

Think critically

To what extent can a designer truly anticipate and incorporate the diverse and evolving narratives of all potential users into a design?

Design Principles

"Design interventions must be understood and evaluated through the lens of user narratives and evolving social practices to achieve holistic sustainability."

This research highlights that the success of sustainable design is not solely determined by initial planning and policy, but also by how these intentions are interpreted and enacted within the daily lives of the people who inhabit and manage the space. Designers must consider the dynamic interplay between designed environments and user behavior to achieve genuine sustainability.

What This Means for Your Design

Just because a building is designed to be 'green' doesn't mean people will automatically live or work in a 'green' way. Their stories and daily habits matter just as much as the design itself.

How to use in your project

1.Use narrative analysis to explore how users interpret and interact with a prototype or existing product, comparing their stories to the intended function.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research highlights the importance of understanding user narratives in design. By analyzing the stories of individuals interacting with a designed environment, it's possible to uncover discrepancies between intended outcomes and actual user practices, which is crucial for developing truly effective and sustainable solutions.

Source

cIRcle (University of British Columbia)

City stories : from narrative to practice in Vancouver's Olympic Village

journal · 2015

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about narrative analysis reveals disconnect between sustainable design intentions and resident practices?: Incorporate user storytelling and social practice analysis into the design process to ensure that sustainable intentions are aligned with and supported by the lived realities of the people who will use and manage the designed environment. Evidence: cIRcle (University of British Columbia) (2015).
Why does "Narrative analysis reveals disconnect between sustainable design intentions and resident practices" matter for design?: This research highlights that the success of sustainable design is not solely determined by initial planning and policy, but also by how these intentions are interpreted and enacted within the daily lives of the people who inhabit and manage the space. Designers must consider the dynamic interplay between designed environments and user behavior to achieve genuine sustainability.
How can designers apply this research?: Incorporate user storytelling and social practice analysis into the design process to ensure that sustainable intentions are aligned with and supported by the lived realities of the people who will use and manage the designed environment.
What were the main findings?: Broad metanarratives of sustainability in policy and media significantly influenced the perceptions and practices of residents and managers.. The actual practices of residents and managers within the neighbourhood continue to evolve, demonstrating a dynamic relationship with the designed sustainable environment.. There is a notable intersection between the intended social and ecological goals of the development and the lived experiences of its constituents.
What research method was used?: Qualitative narrative analysis combined with social practice theory..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2015 journal from cIRcle (University of British Columbia).
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing any community-focused project, conduct in-depth interviews and observational studies to understand the existing narratives and practices of potential users, and use this to inform and refine design decisions.
What are the limitations?: The study is specific to one urban development and may not be generalizable to all contexts. The focus on narrative may overlook quantitative aspects of sustainability performance.