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Exploring Opportunities for Sustainable Housing: The Case of East Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Max Rosvall

    (Uppsala University)

  • Klas Palm

    (Uppsala University)

  • Swaminathan Ramanathan

    (Uppsala University)

  • Raine Isaksson

    (Uppsala University
    Luleå University of Technology, Social Sciences, Technology and Arts)

Abstract

This paper contributes to the development of a problem-structuring method for exploring sustainability opportunities in systems. It presents a case of designing the plane while flying it, using an action research methodology to develop the Sustainability Opportunity Study over a period of 2 years. The problem-structuring method was applied and developed in the context of a research and development network for improving sustainability of housing in East Africa through alternative binders in block-based building. The resulting method consists of the three main stages Diagnosing, Analysing, Solving, where activities are informed by critical systems thinking and insights derived from experience and reflections from the case. The method uses different types of workshops to derive specific project proposals for further implementation and realisation of the identified sustainability opportunities. Results also suggest four types of evaluation of the Sustainability Opportunity Study based on the main focus of the intervention: Focus on effectiveness (number of relevant project proposals), focus on creating shared understanding (perceived learning among participants), focus on ensuring fairness (level of engagement among marginalized stakeholders), or focus on commitment to Critical Systems Thinking (breadth and depth in Diagnosing, Analysing and Solving).

Suggested Citation

  • Max Rosvall & Klas Palm & Swaminathan Ramanathan & Raine Isaksson, 2024. "Exploring Opportunities for Sustainable Housing: The Case of East Africa," Systemic Practice and Action Research, Springer, vol. 37(6), pages 1205-1240, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:syspar:v:37:y:2024:i:6:d:10.1007_s11213-024-09698-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s11213-024-09698-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Raine Isaksson & Max Rosvall & Maximilian Espuny & Thais Vieira Nunhes & Otávio José de Oliveira, 2022. "How Is Building Sustainability Understood?—A Study of Research Papers and Sustainability Reports," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-25, September.
    2. Bill Hopwood & Mary Mellor & Geoff O'Brien, 2005. "Sustainable development: mapping different approaches," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 13(1), pages 38-52.
    3. Raine Isaksson & Oluwayomi Babatunde, 2019. "Opportunities for improved sustainability in house building: The case of Dar es Salaam," African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 11(4), pages 457-463, June.
    4. M C Jackson, 2006. "Beyond problem structuring methods: reinventing the future of OR/MS," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 57(7), pages 868-878, July.
    5. Raine Isaksson & Max Rosvall & Arezou Babaahmadi & Apollo Buregyeya & Amrita Hazarika & Joseph Mwiti Marangu & Kolawole Olonade & Swaminathan Ramanathan & Anthony Rucukye & Luca Valentini, 2023. "Supplementary Cementitious Materials in Building Blocks—Diagnosing Opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-27, March.
    6. Michael C. Jackson, 2022. "Critical systems practice 3: Intervene—Flexibly executing a multimethodological intervention," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(6), pages 1014-1023, November.
    7. Jackson, MC, 1987. "Present positions and future prospects in management science," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 15(6), pages 455-466.
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