DESIGN OF WATER CYCLE MANAGEMENT IN SMALL URBAN CENTERS USING DESIGN THINKING

Abstract

This paper studies the problem of water management in small, non-technified villages. This scenario presents a high complexity of both users and scenarios combined with the difficulty to use market technologies for budgetary matters. Based on design methods (Personas, shadowing, relational needs, etc.), with an iterative, designed ad hoc methodological approach, a deep knowledge of the different scenarios, processes, users and technologies involved is gained. Methodology is able to uncover latent information not a priori specified, synthesize and structure a large amount of information in a way that is usable in the latter design of solutions, identify common needs to scenarios and users very different from each other, and foster communication and understanding between diverse specialties. In short, the subsequent design and development phases of the solution are faced with a much greater guarantee of success in terms of technical and commercial viability. Keywords: Design Thinking, multidisciplinarity, water management, design methodologies, codesign, Personas, shadowing