What strategies can you use to ensure that your project is socially relevant?

Social relevance is an important aspect of any architectural project, as it reflects how well the design responds to the needs, values, and aspirations of the people and communities it serves. However, achieving social relevance is not always easy, as it requires a thorough understanding of the context, the stakeholders, and the impact of the project. In this article, we will explore some strategies that you can use to ensure that your project is socially relevant, from the initial research to the final evaluation.

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1 Research the context

The first step to ensure social relevance is to research the context of your project, including the physical, cultural, historical, and environmental aspects. This will help you identify the opportunities and challenges that your project will face, as well as the expectations and preferences of the users and the public. You can use various methods to research the context, such as site visits, surveys, interviews, focus groups, mapping, or case studies. The goal is to gather as much information as possible to inform your design decisions and avoid assumptions or stereotypes.

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Kenneth David Hopper

Experienced CEO | Business Strategy, Leadership, True Humanitarian
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Ensuring that your project is socially relevant requires careful planning and consideration. 1. Conduct thorough research: Start by understanding the social issues and needs that your project aims to address. This will help you identify the most relevant and impactful areas to focus on.

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Shreesh Thergaonkar

Design Advisor, Guide and Mentor| Architecture | Design | Management | Programme Management | Master Planning | Ex- T&T| Ex- Reliance Industries Limited | Ex- SGS | Ex- Reliance Retail | 3+ DECADES of pro experience
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Research and surveys of the vicinity, locality, and the city is the most important first step of making a project / design successful. Personal interactions with the concerned and relevant people is a very good aspect in these surveys. Demography studies, logistics studies and transportation connectivity studies help devising a design programme and requirements, thereby making the design functional, relevant and useful.

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2 Engage the stakeholders

The second step to ensure social relevance is to engage the stakeholders of your project, including the clients, the users, the neighbors, the authorities, and the experts. Engaging the stakeholders means involving them in the design process, listening to their feedback, and addressing their concerns. This will help you create a sense of ownership and trust among the stakeholders, as well as improve the quality and suitability of your design. You can use various tools to engage the stakeholders, such as workshops, consultations, presentations, or co-design sessions. The goal is to establish a dialogue and a collaboration that benefits both your project and the stakeholders.

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Kenneth David Hopper

Experienced CEO | Business Strategy, Leadership, True Humanitarian
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2. Engage with stakeholders: Involve key stakeholders such as community members, experts, and organizations that are directly affected by the social issue you're addressing. Their insights and perspectives can provide valuable guidance and ensure that your project aligns with their needs. 3. Collaborate with partners: Partnering with other organizations or individuals who share similar goals can enhance the social relevance of your project. By pooling resources and expertise, you can create a more comprehensive and effective solution.

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3 Consider the impact

The third step to ensure social relevance is to consider the impact of your project, both during and after the construction. The impact of your project refers to the effects that it will have on the social, economic, and environmental aspects of the context. This will help you evaluate the performance and the value of your design, as well as identify the potential risks and opportunities for improvement. You can use various indicators to measure the impact of your project, such as user satisfaction, accessibility, inclusivity, safety, sustainability, or resilience. The goal is to ensure that your project contributes positively to the well-being and development of the people and communities it serves.

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Kenneth David Hopper

Experienced CEO | Business Strategy, Leadership, True Humanitarian
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4. Incorporate diversity and inclusion: Ensure that your project considers the diverse needs and perspectives of the communities it aims to serve. This can be done by involving people from different backgrounds in the decision-making process and designing inclusive solutions. 5. Measure impact: Establish clear metrics and indicators to measure the social impact of your project. Regularly evaluate and assess the outcomes to determine if your project is achieving its intended goals and making a positive difference.

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4 Learn from the feedback

The fourth step to ensure social relevance is to learn from the feedback of your project, both during and after the completion. The feedback of your project refers to the opinions and suggestions that you receive from the stakeholders and the public about your design. This will help you understand the strengths and weaknesses of your project, as well as the areas for innovation and enhancement. You can use various sources to collect the feedback of your project, such as reviews, comments, ratings, or testimonials. The goal is to use the feedback as a learning opportunity and a motivation for continuous improvement.

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Kenneth David Hopper

Experienced CEO | Business Strategy, Leadership, True Humanitarian
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6. Adapt and iterate: Social issues are complex and ever evolving. Stay open to feedback and be willing to adapt your project based on changing circumstances and emerging needs. This will help ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness.

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5 Communicate the value

The fifth step to ensure social relevance is to communicate the value of your project, both internally and externally. The value of your project refers to the benefits and outcomes that it delivers to the stakeholders and the society. This will help you showcase the achievements and the significance of your design, as well as inspire and influence others. You can use various media to communicate the value of your project, such as reports, portfolios, publications, or exhibitions. The goal is to tell the story and the vision of your project, and how it makes a difference in the world.

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6 Reflect on the experience

The sixth and final step to ensure social relevance is to reflect on the experience of your project, both personally and professionally. The experience of your project refers to the lessons and insights that you gain from the design process and the outcome. This will help you develop your skills and knowledge as an architect, as well as your values and ethics as a human being. You can use various methods to reflect on the experience of your project, such as journals, critiques, or self-assessments. The goal is to appreciate the challenges and the achievements of your project, and how they shape your growth and identity as an architect.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What strategies can you use to ensure that your project is socially relevant?

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1 Research the context

2 Engage the stakeholders

3 Consider the impact

4 Learn from the feedback

5 Communicate the value

6 Reflect on the experience

7 Here’s what else to consider

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