Mapping narratives of livable, inclusive futures

This study examines the potential of thick mapping in collecting narratives about co-design processes and engagement, particularly in the context of the New European Bauhaus (NEB) initiative. We draw on practical experiences from the EU-funded NEB project Desire. By incorporating diverse stakeholder perspectives and emphasising place-based narratives, we exemplify a thick mapping approach that synthesises complex layers, bridging current realities of ‘what is’ and envisioned futures. The research highlights the importance of a relational and nuanced understanding of built environment transformations, as well as an appreciation for mapping alternative narratives within it, advocating for inclusive engagement strategies that encompass social, context-sensitive, spatial, and future-oriented dimensions. Our interdisciplinary approach combines methods from urban design and futures to examine sites undergoing transformation. We offer a layered mapping approach that can be used to collect complex processes and amplify alternative stories of place, making invisible dynamics visible, thereby enriching narratives of more inclusive transformations. By recognising interconnections between people, places, and processes, our work highlights the importance of thick mapping in shaping alternative built environment futures, thereby enhancing the discourse on relational and non-linear approaches to capture co-design processes.