Short answer

Incorporate co-design with end-users and relevant professionals to develop solutions for challenging environmental conditions.

Field: User-Centred Design
Source: UPCommons institutional repository (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya) (2014)
Method: Co-design methodology involving focus groups and expert consultation.
Evidence: Moderate effect

Engaging diverse stakeholders, including individuals with disabilities, in a co-design process can generate innovative and feasible solutions for improving winter sidewalk accessibility. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2014 study published in UPCommons institutional repository (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya). Using Co-design methodology involving focus groups and expert consultation., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Incorporate co-design with end-users and relevant professionals to develop solutions for challenging environmental conditions.

Study

User-Centred DesignHigh ImpactModerate effect

Co-designing heated curb cuts and optimized snow removal for winter sidewalk accessibility

Engaging diverse stakeholders, including individuals with disabilities, in a co-design process can generate innovative and feasible solutions for improving winter sidewalk accessibility.

UPCommons institutional repository (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya) · 2014

Key Findings

01A wide variety of feasible design solutions for winter sidewalk accessibility were generated.
02Heated curb cuts and reorganisation of snow-removal procedures were identified as promising solutions.

Application

Design takeaway

Incorporate co-design with end-users and relevant professionals to develop solutions for challenging environmental conditions.

How to apply

When designing for environments with extreme weather conditions or for user groups with specific accessibility needs, initiate a co-design process involving those users and relevant domain experts.

Project actions

01Clearly define the target user group and their specific challenges.
02Document the co-design process meticulously, including participant roles and contributions.

Method & Evidence

AimTo explore and validate feasible design solutions for enhancing sidewalk accessibility during winter conditions through a co-design methodology.

MethodCo-design methodology involving focus groups and expert consultation.

Procedure1. Conduct co-design sessions with seniors, designers, and researchers to conceive design solutions. 2. Validate these solutions through consultation with experts and stakeholders, including city representatives, urban planners, and occupational therapists.

ContextUrban public spaces, winter accessibility, disability inclusion.

Variables

IV["Stakeholder involvement (co-design vs. traditional design)","Type of proposed solution (e.g., heated curb cuts, snow removal strategy)"]

DV["Feasibility of design solutions","Perceived improvement in accessibility"]

CV["Winter conditions","Urban sidewalk environment"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Inclusion of diverse stakeholders, including end-users with disabilities.
+Exploration of innovative solutions beyond conventional approaches.

Limitations

The study was a pilot, meaning the solutions are ideas and not fully tested prototypes. Real-world implementation might face unexpected obstacles.

Reliability & validity

The validity of the findings relies on the representativeness of the co-design participants and the thoroughness of expert consultation. Reliability would be enhanced by replicating the co-design process with different groups and in varied geographical contexts.

Think critically

To what extent can the proposed solutions be scaled and funded for widespread implementation, and what are the potential trade-offs in terms of cost and maintenance?

Design Principles

"Inclusive design requires active participation from all affected user groups."

Traditional design approaches often overlook the unique challenges faced by vulnerable populations during adverse weather. By involving end-users and experts early in the design process, practitioners can uncover critical needs and develop more effective, inclusive, and socially responsible solutions.

What This Means for Your Design

When designing for winter, it's important to ask people who use wheelchairs or have trouble walking what would make sidewalks easier to use in the snow and ice, and then work with them to create solutions like heated sidewalks or better snow plowing.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of user involvement and co-design in addressing accessibility challenges in your design project.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research highlights the efficacy of co-design methodologies in addressing complex accessibility issues, such as winter sidewalk navigation. By actively involving end-users with disabilities and relevant professionals, the study successfully generated feasible solutions like heated curb cuts and optimized snow removal strategies, underscoring the value of inclusive design practices in creating more equitable urban environments.

Source

UPCommons institutional repository (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya)

WINTER: PUBLIC ENEMY #1 FOR ACCESSIBILITY EXPLORING NEW SOLUTIONS

journal · 2014

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Questions About This Research

What does the research say about co-designing heated curb cuts and optimized snow removal for winter sidewalk accessibility?: Incorporate co-design with end-users and relevant professionals to develop solutions for challenging environmental conditions. Evidence: UPCommons institutional repository (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya) (2014).
Why does "Co-designing heated curb cuts and optimized snow removal for winter sidewalk accessibility" matter for design?: Traditional design approaches often overlook the unique challenges faced by vulnerable populations during adverse weather. By involving end-users and experts early in the design process, practitioners can uncover critical needs and develop more effective, inclusive, and socially responsible solutions.
How can designers apply this research?: Incorporate co-design with end-users and relevant professionals to develop solutions for challenging environmental conditions.
What were the main findings?: A wide variety of feasible design solutions for winter sidewalk accessibility were generated.. Heated curb cuts and reorganisation of snow-removal procedures were identified as promising solutions.
What research method was used?: Co-design methodology involving focus groups and expert consultation..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2014 journal from UPCommons institutional repository (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya).
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing for environments with extreme weather conditions or for user groups with specific accessibility needs, initiate a co-design process involving those users and relevant domain experts.
What are the limitations?: This was an exploratory pilot study, and the feasibility of large-scale implementation of proposed solutions requires further investigation.