Creative Regeneration

Experience as design practitioners and researchers has led us to identify important gaps between theoretical design frameworks and expectations on the transition to sustainability, on the one hand, and the strategies for real sustainable transformation that are implemented by organizations and territories, on the other. The aim of this study is twofold: first, to understand what lies beyond the different design methodologies that have a potential to contribute to sustainability; and second, to develop and test a comprehensive strategic design methodology—Creative Regeneration (CR)—to guide organizations and projects in navigating sustainability transitions. For the first objective, we analyzed nineteen general design methodologies through a systematic review, identifying principles and features that are shared across many of them. Based on our findings, for the second objective, we built CR and tested it with six organizations from diverse sectors, gathering qualitative and quantitative data via surveys, interviews, and participant observation. The results show that CR has the potential to help organizations in their sustainability transitions, by building a better understanding of the organization’s or project’s challenges and situation, clarifying long-term visions and goals, and aligning strategic and operational levels. However, it was noticed that participants find it challenging to use this methodology without the guidance of an expert facilitator; that is where the role of the strategic designer fits. This research contributes a novel, comprehensive design methodology for designers, researchers, consultants, and organizations seeking to lead sustainability transitions.