Short summary of the episode:

The first episode of the podcast delves deeply into the intricacies of city design and community engagement. According to Sara Ikävalko, the adoption of design methodology in developing cities brings the citizens to the center of the work while at the same time allowing for a wider perspective. Sara emphasises the importance of adopting a human-oriented approach when designing cities and spending more time with citizens in their natural living environments to better understand their experiences and needs. This on-the-ground interaction, she argues, fosters a deeper sense of empathy and understanding, making public administration more effective.

In the podcast, the role of involving marginalised or less outspoken groups, such as children and young people, in the city design process is highlighted. By applying design methodology to development processes, it’s possible to bring these people into the processes. One example mentioned is a neighbourhood program in Mukkula, Lahti, where young people have been actively participating in the development of their community for over three years. The program has been successful in empowering these young citizens, making them realise they too are essential stakeholders in shaping the future of their community.

The discussion with Sara Ikävalko then shifts to the financial constraints and challenges that cities face. She notes that with increasing service demands and a precarious financial situation, traditional models of governance and city planning may no longer be viable or sustainable. Adopting new, human-oriented development strategies and methodologies could not only make the process more effective but also more financially sustainable.

Another key point made in the podcast is the need for a radical shift in thinking and operations within city organisations. Sara Ikävalko encourages city officials to be brave in adopting new methods and breaking down age-old silos that often hinder comprehensive planning and implementation. City Design involves collaboration and co-creation across different departments and allows leveraging the expertise of various professionals in the field.

Towards the end of the podcast, Sara shares her wish for city organisations to be more daring in embracing multi-voiced, multi-perspective approaches to development. By doing so, she believes that the city planning process could become more inclusive, efficient, and responsive to the actual needs of the community.

In summary, the podcast serves as a call to action for city planners and officials to rethink traditional methods, adopt a more human-oriented approach, and involve a wider range of voices in decision-making. This, Sara Ikävalko believes, will lead to more empathetic, inclusive, and financially sustainable cities.