Using Theory of Change to Support Participatory Visual Mapping in Urban Transformation Projects

Theory of Change was created as a logic planning model to explore andrepresent a potential change in a way that reflects a complex and systemicunderstanding of development. Even though it is a familiar tool in the contextof community initiatives and philanthropic projects, Theory of Change isunder-applied in design as a problem-solving practice and underexplored withindesign research. Design projects that are looking for more comprehensive waysof negotiating change can greatly benefit from it to inform a deep understandingof the dynamics of change. This paper focuses on how a designerly approach toTheory of Change can support participatory visual mapping, thus creating someenabling conditions towards transformation in cities, namely: facilitating moregranular communication, suggesting a multifaceted and systemic perspective,helping to navigate complexity by creating shared mental models amongstakeholders, fostering thinking through different temporalities, and boostingcreativity. The paper will examine a case of an urban transformation projectthat involves six European cities under regeneration.