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Im Feld | 'In the Field'

Project Category

Design Research

Project Timeline

Fall 2022

Project Role(s)

Project Lead

Design Researcher

Art Direction

Overview

A collaborative research project exploring the role of place-based communities towards collective resilience in an urban context. In Berlin's 'Tempelhofer Feld', the research team conducted interviews with park-goers in order to understand the creation of social value in such places.

Context

Problem

How are place-based communities in Berlin challenged in the co-creation of resilience?

As the world’s percentage of city-dwelling people jumps from 55% to 68% by 2050 (UN DESA, 2018), urbanisation transforms the way more people live and arrange themselves. Additionally, climate change urges people to rethink their lifestyles, especially as we recover from the isolation of a pandemic. Research suggests community resilience as a critical element to individual wellbeing.

Work with me

I would love to hear from you and see how we can work together.

Approach

This collaborative semester project focused on gaining competency in Design Methodology. This required each student investigate a research question through the use of one primary research method. Methods were investigated for their advantages and disadvantages, with narrative interviews ultimately selected as an appropriate fit for the topic and scope. Each team member created their own set of interview questions, which were collated and distributed to researchers for conducting interviews.
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This collaborative semester project focused on gaining competency in the Design Methods module. This required each student investigate a research question through the use of one primary research method. Methods were investigated for their advantages and disadvantages, with narrative interviews ultimately selected as an appropriate fit for the topic and scope.

Field Work

From the 21–23 October, more than a dozen narrative interviews were conducted at Tempelhofer Feld. Selection of participants was completely random, depending on the persons’ willingness to take part. After signing informed consent forms, the interviews were recorded using handheld audio recorders (pictured). Each team member utilized the same interview guideline, which covered three research questions while allowing for some flexibility. Interviews lasted roughly 30–45 minutes.

A field recorder sitting on a backpack. Image by Vladislav Smigelski, sourced on Unsplash.

Proper equipment helps keep a focus on engagement.

Reflecting on the experience, our research would have benefit from: a larger pool of participants, artifact-mediated conversation, and a stronger understanding of existing communities inside Tempelhofer Feld. We learned from our interviews there were many informal groups arranging events such as park clean-ups.

After many interviews, it became clear that the community garden and dog park were the most prominent sub-communities within Tempelhofer Feld. These areas were focused down the road of analysis and, ultimately, the development of potential design interventions.

Along with the interview dialogue, audio snippets were also collected around the park to be used in our showcase. In them, you can hear the sounds of: dogs playing, busking musicians, laughter, and the occasional bicyclist.

Analysis

Synthesis

Conclusion

Beyond the development of the above insights, potential design interventions are being developed and will be shared in due time. Es tut mir leid!

Contributors

Project Members (A–Z)

Josef Leinweber | Second Year Student, SE

Sridhar Ashok | Second Year Student, ID

Tsao Yidi | First Year Student, ID

Project Mentor

Pras Gunasekera | Senior Lecturer, ID