Qualitative futuring methods in communicative (inter)action: Exploring the development and deployment of the Future Synthesizer method

Abstract

This contribution presents initial efforts to respond to the question: How do qualitative futuring methods enhance the design of participatory processes for regional and urban planning? This work makes use of futuring approaches and methods to help build individual and collective futures literacy. Doing so enables communities and their administrations to design, plan, construct, and develop the built environments for which they strive. We present efforts to develop and refine a qualitative (interactive) form of a futuring method called Future Synthesizer in community and classroom contexts. Future Synthesizer is premised on the communicative and collaborative potential generated when many sources of knowledge are represented and articulated by diverse stakeholders. The method facilitates the communicative structuring of interactive and strategic discussions between stakeholders through temporally ordered exchanges that link diverse forms of knowledge at participatory events. By integrating interactive and haptic components, our method helps participants articulate, illustrate, and negotiate the (inter)actions required to solve the complex problems brought to light through regional and urban planning processes. The efforts behind Future Synthesizer show potential to enhance future-oriented learning in a range of settings. However, since our experiences are in progress, there is much potential to develop the research in this contribution.