Co-creation in bottom-up SuDS adoption

Community-based sustainability initiatives are projects run by volunteers that produce sustainability solutions. They seem indispensable to sustain the implementation and maintenance of so-called Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in the long-term. SuDS are solutions that use natural processes (infiltration, evapotranspiration, filtration, retention, reuse) to manage stormwater. They are considered a crucial strategy to address the lack of sustainability of the currently widely used pipe-based systems. Key to facilitate community-based SuDS implementation appears to be the engagement in so-called co-creation processes. Co-creation consists in the collective initiation, design, implementation, etc. of actions, involving different stakeholders. This project aims to analyse: 1) suitable contextual conditions for community-based SuDS adoption; and 2) the ability of co-creation processes between academia and communities to support community-led change. The project is expected to shed light on factors affecting the success of community-based SuDS actions and co-creation. Insights will also be gained on potential co-creation outcomes. A series of joint activities (interventions) will be organised, involving both researchers and community members. They will consist in the joint conceptualisation, design, implementation, and assessment of projects with SuDS. Data on success factors and outcomes observed during the joint activities will be collected by using questionnaires and by writing notes during discussions (objective 2). Questionnaires will also be used to determine suitable contextual conditions (objective 1). Data will be, afterwards, qualitatively tabulated. Analyses will be conducted in 3 European regions. This project aims to shed light on two aspects little investigated to date: 1) factors to facilitate community- based SuDS action; and 2) the role that co-creation science communities can play in this process. The focus will not be merely placed on the investigation of joint conception and design activities (as done until now). Rather, the investigation of joint SuDS adoption and assessment exercises is also targeted. Different citizens groups, contexts and kinds of intervention will be the focus of analysis. Rarely has such an approach been used to investigate co-creation with community members and in stormwater management. The project tasks will be conducted and coordinated by Dr. Marc Gimenez Maranges. Three master students, 3 experts in computer sciences, 1 programmer and 1 technical assistant will contribute to some project activities. This project will be mentored by Prof. Nadejda Komendantova (IIASA). Assoc. Prof.-Dr. Angela Hof (University of Salzburg) will also provide mentoring support.