Socio-centric Sustainable Design - the Development of a Learning Resource.

Abstract

This paper reports on the development of a web-based learning and teaching resource specifically aimed at the socio-centric dimension of sustainable design which can be found at www.sociocentricdesign.com. A literature review focusing on the socially related aspects of sustainable design is presented, culminating in identification of the components required to understand this aspect of sustainable design, along with the understanding that its incorporation requires that the final design is left as late as possible, while considering the design’s purpose and its effects on the user, the community and society as a whole. An evaluation of existing web based resources on sustainable design is also presented. However, the focus is on the outcomes learned from the collection of primary data informing both the development of the resource and an evaluation of the outcome. The paper sets outs in some detail the content, arrangement and web interfaces for the new learning and teaching web based resource, focused on the socio-centric dimension. This includes the need for a high level of interactivity in the web interface.