Emerging DIY activities to enable well-being and connected societies

Abstract

In recent years we have witnessed an emergence of various do-it-yourself (DIY) activities in urban spaces. This article aims to shed light on these DIY activities in Helsinki, particularly within the textile and garment sector. Six DIY groups were selected, their organizers interviewed, and their respective activities were examined. The aims of this investigation are to understand these activities, the motivations behind them and the implications of making for well-being. The research interest focuses on the collectives and communities Doing It Together (DIT) and Doing It With Others (DIWO) more than individual activities. The main findings indicate that these activities aim to influence well-being at individual, community and societal levels by activating and integrating individuals into the community and society. DIY activities in the current study are based on sustainability-oriented values; they indicate how consumers enter into slower fashion consumption and how designers exercise more meaningful and fluid expertise in design practice. We argue that DIY activities, while niche, are strongly embedded locally, can drive change towards enhanced sustainability and well-being in urban contexts and can even contribute to the aspect of more connected societies.