Category Archives: Participation & Engagement

On the move: South Africa and migration

Posted on 07/11/2012 by

With all the information on the growth of cities, it is salient that the actual movements of people to these cities and the reasons for their movement are largely unacknowledged by the national and local authorities who have to provide … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Media, Infrastructural Systems, Participation & Engagement, Socio- Politico Systems, Urban Design | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Communities Aren’t Just Places, They’re Social Networks

Posted on 29/10/2012 by

From Richard Florida on Atlantic Cities - a book revue and author interview that is reminds us  of Christopher Alexander’ seminal paper “A city is not a tree” – “its’ a semi-lattice”  that makes the idea that proximity creates communities obviously … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Media, Participation & Engagement, Personal Insights & Feelings, Socio- Politico Systems, Urban Design | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Bill Moggridge 1943-2012

Posted on 14/09/2012 by

Bill Moggridge one of the design worlds greats has passed on after an inspirational life as foundering member of IDEO and author of Designing Interactions 2007 – and Designing Media 2010 here is  tribute to his life from dezeen Dezeen … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Wicked Problems: Problems Worth Solving

Posted on 10/09/2012 by

A review from UX Matters on a methodology which seems closely linked to ideas on Co-Design and transdisciplinary research without the baggage of its intellectual precedents and academic rigour – while citing social entrepreneurship it has yet to see how … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Media, Business Systems, Participation & Engagement, Urban Design | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Ethnography for user experience

Posted on 10/09/2012 by

Having been blogging about the value and necessity  of ethnographic research in urban research practice – here is a set of case studies on practice and methods  from putting people first In three essays John Payne, Principal of Moment’s Experience Design practice, … Continue reading →

Posted in Events & Gatherings, Participation & Engagement, Personal Insights & Feelings, Socio- Politico Systems | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Networks Matter – Urban Migration or The Alternative Liveable Cities Index

Posted on 30/08/2012 by

After posting the previous report on Global Cities: Quality of Life, Liveability and Cost of Living Surveys 2012 – What are they worth? it occurred to me that there might be a variety of alternative rankings of where the best places to live … Continue reading →

Posted in Events & Gatherings, Participation & Engagement, Personal Insights & Feelings, Shared Heritage, Socio- Politico Systems | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Abalimi Bezekhaya – Cape Town’s Green Revolution

Posted on 01/08/2012 by

From Topos recognition for the work of our local urban farmers To mark the 20th anniversary of Topos, the editors have assigned two Special Recognitions to two very different kinds of initiatives. Together they both mark the broad field in … Continue reading →

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India on Wheels

Posted on 01/08/2012 by

For many non Indian visitors being driven around in India is like Russian Roulette, but as we all find out it is our preconceptions that are  chalenged and it seems very little damage is done to our bodies – the … Continue reading →

Posted in Business Systems, Industrial Design, Participation & Engagement, Shared Heritage | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Infographic: The half-life of smart phones & apps

Posted on 31/07/2012 by

An cool infographic by Sarah Wenger  As the world continues moving into a mobile one, smart phones have become an invaluable part of our lives – an extension of our own being. And because of our newly adopted part of … Continue reading →

Posted in Business Systems, Infrastructural Systems, Participation & Engagement | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Social lending, the new face of monetary loans

Posted on 10/07/2012 by

Another way the social media are impacting “Business as Usual” Social Lending promises to disrupt the hegemony of banks and finance companies and  allow business to access money directly from potential investors.  In tight markets where finance is not freely … Continue reading →

Posted in Business Systems, Economic Systems, Participation & Engagement | Tagged | Leave a comment