Evaluating human-centered design methods as an approach for inclusive green design: Case study Kampung Kota Surakarta

Acceptable design by community is a significant indicator of success inclusive design and sustainable human settlement. There are many cases where programs initiated by the government to cope with specific issues or problems have failed to gather support from the community. The communities do not have a sense belonging to the design which leads to unsustainable program. The human design center (HCD) has been advocated as an approach for inclusive, participatory design in community programs. This study aims to investigate the key success of implementation of human centre design methods with Program Kampung Iklim (Proklim) Surakarta as a case study. Proklim is a national program to promote community actions to promote resilience to climate change impacts. Elaborating Human Center Design in the implementation of Proklim program in Surakarta city, the collaboration process in design is discussed, placing emphasis on how to include end-users in the development process. The study shows that the same method would not necessarily produce the same outcomes in different areas. Despite scant evidence of its effectiveness to produce acceptable design, The study reveals that four pre-conditions need to be established in using participatory design approach implemented in community programs, that are knowledgeable community leaders, informed communities, social bonding and community acceptance regarding the program. Thus, this is crucial for the government to take into consideration community leader regeneration as a regular agenda.