Shift from 'Sustainability' to 'Prosperity' for Radical Design Innovation
Adopting a 'prosperity' framework, rather than just 'sustaining' existing models, can drive more innovative and effective design solutions by focusing on human flourishing within resource constraints.
Journal of International Development · 2015
Key Findings
- 01Current sustainable development goals often perpetuate existing economic and social models without fundamental change.
- 02Focusing on 'prosperity' and 'flourishing' offers a more radical and human-centered approach than simply 'sustaining'.
- 03Political and social innovation are critical enablers of prosperity within finite resources.
- 04The interdependent and uncertain nature of socio-ecological systems necessitates diverse, context-specific objectives rather than one-size-fits-all goals.
- 05Learning from initiatives in the Global South, such as agroecology, can inform this paradigm shift.
Application
Design takeaway
Reframe design challenges from 'how to sustain' to 'how to foster prosperity', integrating social and political innovation alongside technological solutions.
How to apply
When initiating a design project, ask: 'Does this project aim to merely sustain current conditions, or does it actively contribute to human flourishing and prosperity in a way that respects planetary boundaries?'
Project actions
- 01Consider how your design project can empower users and contribute to their overall well-being.
- 02Explore how your design might influence social or political systems to enable greater prosperity.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Provides a thought-provoking alternative to conventional sustainability discourse.
- +Highlights the importance of social and political innovation in design.
Limitations
Defining and measuring 'prosperity' can be subjective and challenging.
Reliability & validity
The conceptual nature of the paper means direct testing of reliability and validity is not applicable; however, the strength of its argument relies on logical coherence and the illustrative potential of examples.
Think critically
How can a design project effectively measure and demonstrate its contribution to 'prosperity' rather than just 'sustainability'?
Design Principles
"Design for flourishing within ecological limits by enabling diverse, context-specific pathways to prosperity."
This perspective encourages designers to move beyond incremental improvements and explore transformative approaches. By prioritizing individual potential and well-being within ecological limits, design projects can achieve more profound and lasting positive impact.
What This Means for Your Design
Instead of just trying to keep things the same, think about how your design can help people truly thrive and be happy, while still being mindful of the planet's resources.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use the concept of 'prosperity' as a guiding principle for defining project aims and evaluating success beyond mere functionality or sustainability metrics.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
(2015). Global Prosperity and Sustainable Development Goals. Journal of International Development. https://doi.org/10.1002/jid.3114 Retrieved from https://designdex.org/study/9be2289d-c2c9-4358-8af6-45b94c2854c6/shift-from-sustainability-to-prosperity-for-radical-design-innovation
Paragraph starter
This design project adopts a 'prosperity' framework, shifting focus from merely sustaining existing conditions to actively fostering human flourishing and well-being within ecological limits. This approach encourages radical innovation in social and political dimensions, recognizing the need for diverse, context-specific solutions to achieve meaningful progress.
Source
Journal of International Development
Global Prosperity and Sustainable Development Goals
journal · 2015
View sourceQuestions about this research
- What does the research say about shift from 'sustainability' to 'prosperity' for radical design innovation?
- Reframe design challenges from 'how to sustain' to 'how to foster prosperity', integrating social and political innovation alongside technological solutions. Evidence: Journal of International Development (2015).
- Why does "Shift from 'Sustainability' to 'Prosperity' for Radical Design Innovation" matter for design?
- This perspective encourages designers to move beyond incremental improvements and explore transformative approaches. By prioritizing individual potential and well-being within ecological limits, design projects can achieve more profound and lasting positive impact.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Reframe design challenges from 'how to sustain' to 'how to foster prosperity', integrating social and political innovation alongside technological solutions.
- What were the main findings?
- Current sustainable development goals often perpetuate existing economic and social models without fundamental change.. Focusing on 'prosperity' and 'flourishing' offers a more radical and human-centered approach than simply 'sustaining'.. Political and social innovation are critical enablers of prosperity within finite resources.. The interdependent and uncertain nature of socio-ecological systems necessitates diverse, context-specific objectives rather than one-size-fits-all goals.
- What research method was used?
- Conceptual analysis and argument.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2015 journal from Journal of International Development.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When initiating a design project, ask: 'Does this project aim to merely sustain current conditions, or does it actively contribute to human flourishing and prosperity in a way that respects planetary boundaries?'
- What are the limitations?
- The paper is primarily conceptual and does not provide specific design methodologies for implementing a 'prosperity' framework.
- Is there evidence that social political affects design outcomes?
- The research suggests that instead of just aiming to 'sustain' current systems, designers and policymakers should focus on fostering 'prosperity' and human 'flourishing' by embracing radical innovation in social and political approaches, recognizing the need for diverse, context-specific solutions. This perspective enc Source: Journal of International Development (2015).
- Where does this prosperity research apply?
- Global development and policy frameworks It sits within innovation & design research on designdex.org.
Related research topics
social political design research · evidence on social political · does social political improve design outcomes · prosperity studies for designers · social political and prosperity findings · innovation & design research evidence