Friday, September 13, 2019

Designing Healthy Communities

Doyle, Sheri. Designing Healthy Communities. Part of the Design Thinking for a Better World series. 2018. 48p. ISBN 978-0-7787-4459-7. Available at 362.1 DOY on the library shelves.

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Not all communities are healthy communities. Often the problems seem unsurmountable, but design thinking can help address some of these issues and help change the world for a better place. This book discusses the process of designing a solution to a problem, from empathizing with people affected by the problem, to defining the issues, coming up with possible ideas to solve the problem, creating a prototype, testing it, and reflecting on whether or not the problem was addressed.

Readers can experience nine different case studies where this process is applied. Issues such as prolonged sitting and screen time, fitness programs for every body, and a lack of physical space for physical activity at school address the need for active living. Healthy food is looked at through access to food in local communities, healthy snack options for diabetic students, and hunger in remote Nepalese communities. Finally, the need for clean water is at the center of the Flint water crisis, the need for clean water in rWanda, and access to clean water at the Shoal Lake 40 First Nation communities.

Anyone can become a maker of change on a local or global level. All is needed is understanding how design thinking can help achieve this change. If you have an idea to make your community better, read this book and learn the steps you can take to develop and implement your ideas.

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