Common Space Toolkit
These are our tools.
Year: 2022
Project Team: Mark Neuner, Marlene Lötsch, Sabine Schertler, Irina Nalis
Funding: BMKOES Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky project grant 2022-2023
For a download, please follow the link to the PDF.
The Common Space Toolkit aims at the active involvement of diverse stakeholders during the planning phase and in operating and managing the space. With this, we want to ensure the implementation of our Common Space vision even after planning and designing are finished.
With developing the tools, we worked on changing the planning process of our projects to achieve a higher level of participation, ideally resulting in a Co-Creation process.
Why we use it
Common Space tools help to set up and structure the planning process of our projects. They strive to enable and promote communication between all those involved.
Different actors with the potential of working together are actively connected to share skills, knowledge and networks. Particular focus is put on future operators and their participation in the early phase of planning and design.
Next to using well-working tools that already exist, we have developed new tools specifically for our own practice.
For Common Spaces
we need Commoning:
joint Co-Creation
processes!
How we do it
How a project is set up in the beginning, is crucial for a joint needs-oriented process to emerge. Therefore, we believe engaging with the process design as planners is particularly important. It allows us to influence the formulation of goals, the structuring of the project and the determination of participating actors.
Our Common Space Tools help to clarify the role of Mostlikely as well as of each participating actor. We created a variety of templates to be filled in, where e.g. interests, ideas, risks or resources are collected.
For now, we identified four groups of actors who play a role in our projects, these are experts of different disciplines, decision-makers, future operators and multipliers, representing diverse groups of citizens.
example of a template to clarify the role of planners in the process
Co-Creation Process
The joint planning phase starts with a Kickoff-Workshop, allowing all important actors to meet. Results of the Project Set-Up are being shared and ideas are being discussed, thus revealing potentials for the Co-Creation of the project.
With the help of various tools, e.g. Design Thinking tools, these ideas are being developed in a collaborative process. Together a common goal is formulated and specific milestones are set for its implementation.
Especially future operators should already be involved at this stage.
example of Dragon Dreaming - a method to structure the co-creation process (developed by John Croft)
Evaluation
After the planning phase, the Common Space Evaluation Tool facilitates the analysis of each project process. We question every step of the way, from i.a. which format was used to who has been involved to how the quality of a project is assured. The results then help us to optimise future processes.
Additionally, this allows us to review the suitability of the Common Space Tools in general in order to implement changes where necessary.
example of the Common Space Evaluation Tool
Want to take a closer look?
For a download, please follow the link to the PDF.
For the german version click here.
Head over to our Miro template, where we have digitalised the tools.
