Design Challenge: Eco-Friendly City Park Redesign

Challenge:

Your city is undergoing a revitalization project, and a neglected park in a low-income neighborhood has been identified for a makeover! The goal is to create a vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive public space that caters to the needs of the community. However, there are several challenges to consider:

• Limited Budget:Funding for the park’s redesign is limited.
• Environmental Concerns:The park currently has drainage issues and limited green space.
• Community Needs:The community desires a space with various activities for all ages and abilities.

Your Task:

Design a plan for the eco-friendly redesign of the park, considering the following aspects:

Problem-Solving Techniques:

• Brainstorming:Generate a wide range of ideas for park features, activities, and materials.
• User Empathy:Conduct interviews or surveys with community members to understand their needs and preferences.
• Prioritization:Evaluate and prioritize ideas based on budget constraints, environmental impact, and community needs.
• Prototyping:Create low-fidelity prototypes (sketches, models) to test and refine your design.
• Cost Analysis:Research and estimate the cost of materials and construction for your design elements.

Deliverables:

• Presentation:Create a presentation showcasing your design plan. Include visuals (sketches, diagrams), explanations of your design choices, and how they address the challenge.
• Sustainability Report:Explain how your design incorporates eco-friendly elements like water conservation, renewable energy sources, and use of recycled materials.
• Community Engagement Plan:Outline how you would involve the community throughout the design process and after the park’s completion.

Bonus Points:

• Develop a fundraising strategy to secure additional resources for the park project.
• Designate specific areas within the park for rain harvesting, community gardens, or educational exhibits promoting environmental awareness.
• Consider incorporating elements of universal design to make the park accessible for people with disabilities.

This design challenge encourages the use of various problem-solving techniques:

• Brainstormingto generate creative ideas for park features.
• User Empathyto understand the community’s needs and preferences.
• Prioritizationto make smart choices with limited resources.
• Prototypingto test and refine design concepts.
• Cost Analysisto ensure the project stays within budget.

By using these techniques, you can create a sustainable and inclusive park that revitalizes the neighborhood and serves the community for years to come.