This is a case study focused on sustainable mobility in the civic design field.

Copenhagen (CPH) in Denmark is known as one of the most advanced cities in the world in terms of net zero CO2 emissions initiatives. In 2012, the city launched CPH Climate Action Plan to achieve net zero emissions by 2025. For the transportation sector, “Biker city” plan was initiated and recognized as a successful model internationally, but the carbon emission reduced from 2012 to 2020 was only 3%, which was a smaller contribution than those of other sectors.

To design alternative concepts, the team employed “Theory of Change'' framework to analyze the current project, conducted data analysis to find focus points, demonstrated a co-design workshop with the classmates to consider stakeholder engagement, and utilized the Multi Design Model framework to conceptualize ideas from multi-level systemic perspectives. As a result, the team proposed “Encouragement of life in the neighborhood“ and “Eco-points (gift tax incentive scheme)” as our unique propositions to accelerate the city’s net zero initiative.

The Space Between : Firstly our proposition of “Encouragement of life in the neighborhood“ intends to redefine the meaning of “neighborhood” thus proposing a new way and style of life given the low carbon emission.
Secondly, our proposition of “Eco-points (gift tax incentive scheme)” intends to switch people’s recognition of lifestyle change (from normal one today to that of low carbon emission mode) as a burden to gift for future generations, leveraging gift tax incentives. We believe both of them are the propositions that drive change and disrupt the status quo around global climate change issues.

Designers : Kevin Yamada, Shinichiro Kuwahara, Kota Fujikawa

Course : Civic Design

Instructors : Denis Weil, Stephanie Wade