How do designers explore the potential impacts of the changing world around them? Can we predict the future? Duncan will introduce how Arup think about shaping a better world through their ‘Drivers of Change’ research programme, their ‘STEEP’ approach to exploring the diverse factors impacting our cities and the tools they use to create ‘Plausible Futures’.
As part of the Foresight Innovation and Incubation team at Arup, Duncan is responsible for researching medium and long term futures with a focus on social and technology factors. He develops foresight and innovation capability within Arup, co-created the Drivers of Change concept and programme manages a series of workshops on the future of the built environment.
One of a series of private events for Amplified Leicester participants.
how independent is your thinking given that you work for Arup? how influenced are you by the Arup's business plan or constrained by current socio economic circumstances or is what you do mainly blue skies thinking? Just put these in to get the ball rolling.
As a Leicester person i was born here what i see is a lot of poorly coordinated and badly planned piecemeal development some of it extremely poorly designed though i like the Highcross Centre and The Curve etc and some of the other regeneration projects. i have lived in poorer physical environments - coventry! i have mixed feelings about recent development at DMU!
Posted by: Tony Walker | 07/11/2009 at 07:34 AM
'without the past there is no present, without the present there is no future' so where does the moment go?
Posted by: Ian Davies | 07/11/2009 at 02:54 PM
It takes me all of my time to get through the moment without spending a lot of time contemplating the future. Maybe because I have struggled to bring up six kids on my own.
Posted by: Nancy Bennett | 09/11/2009 at 05:18 PM
what is true innovation? how do you know that what you come up with, makes futures better? is it instinct, research or good old fashioned guesswork?
Posted by: Farhana | 10/11/2009 at 09:51 AM
Its a bit like financiers trading in futures. I made a longer comment but the internet ate it so i am just testing now!
Posted by: Sarah Eaton | 10/11/2009 at 10:17 AM
In developing a clear vision for the future, how do you avoid what are often called "unforseen consequences" - bullet proof the delivery.
Posted by: Ross | 10/11/2009 at 10:34 AM
How to think like a futurist? aaah become a clairvoyant!!!
Or else, meditate, increase your creative ability and strengthen your intuition!
Posted by: Ishi | 10/11/2009 at 10:36 PM
laugh a lot!!!
Posted by: Ishi | 10/11/2009 at 10:37 PM
What will happen to communities in the future will they be based more around the network or geographical presence?
Posted by: mike wilkinson | 11/11/2009 at 10:15 AM
In your bio we state "Arup think about shaping a better world" How do you determine a better future? What parameters would you use to test it?
Posted by: mike wilkinson | 11/11/2009 at 10:19 AM
In shaping for the future do arup actually look to the past? or is that too obvious?
Posted by: Ian Davies | 11/11/2009 at 05:51 PM
A lot of the 'better' we need in the future will be 'better' that can exist outside of the 'network'. How honest are we, how good a life do we live, how do we and society treat children and so on. What would be left if someone pulled out the plug!
Posted by: Sarah Eaton | 11/11/2009 at 09:46 PM