Human-centered approaches to sustainable design are concerned with developing products, services, and systems that meet people’s needs while simultaneously protecting the environment. This approach highlights the necessity of incorporating users and stakeholders in the design process to ensure that solutions are personalized to their individual needs and are more likely to be adopted and used in long-term ways. As such we must:
- Highlight the significance of user research by conducting research to better understand user needs, behaviors, and preferences, and then utilize this knowledge to build more sustainable products and services.
- Involve users and other stakeholders in the design process, and encourage collaboration and co-creation to produce new ideas and solutions.
- Design for behavior change using design to encourage sustainable behaviors, such as reducing water usage or conserving energy.
- Make sustainability accessible and understandable by making sustainability accessible and intelligible to consumers by using clear and straightforward language, images, and other design components.
- Make sustainability appealing with the use of design to make sustainable products and services appealing to customers rather than being regarded as a burden.
- Prioritize accessibility and inclusivity while ensuring that sustainable products and services are accessible and inclusive, taking into account the requirements of various groups, such as people with disabilities and those living in low-income neighborhoods.
- Continuously assess and improve: Based on feedback from users and other stakeholders, continuously analyze and improve sustainable products and services, and adapt tactics accordingly.
In the process of personalizing solutions, one may argue that we are less concerned with the user and more interested in implementing the next technological innovation. The point is that we must incorporate a human-centered approach into the technologies we are implementing. This raises the question of the role of technology in sustainability.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the world’s common plan to end extreme poverty, decrease inequality, and safeguard the planet by 2030, according to the UN. Every country must provide its necessities for work, food, energy, water, and sanitation. Everyone has the right to live in a healthy, safe, and clean environment. This is easily accomplished by lowering pollution, poverty, and unemployment.
Technology’s role in sustainable development is to assist companies in achieving net-zero and other environmental, social, and governance goals. Leading companies are already using technological accelerators to achieve their environmental goals.
The impact of technology on the environment and society is considered in sustainable development. We must investigate how new technologies might contribute to more ecological, economic, and social sustainability.
Without a question, most countries strive to adhere to the objectives of sustainable development. In essence, this means not only maintaining future generations’ growth potential but also promoting social justice inside and between nationals, as well as within national borders.
Concentrating on ecologically beneficial forms of production and consumption, for example, could help address forward-looking studies on the effects of digitalization, climate protection, and energy system transformation. In the realm of higher education, we should strive to employ technology to bridge the gap between technological progress and social implications.
To begin with, sustainability cannot be “mandated” or regarded until the finished technology is established. Rather, fundamental sustainability concepts must be incorporated as early as feasible in the development of new technologies to extend the research perspective of technology assessment [1].
This strategy is intended to produce technical solutions that contribute to societal sustainable development through the application of sustainable design principles while also addressing how to improve the sustainability of innovation processes and how to share technological breakthroughs in a sustainable manner.
Sustainable design as an approach includes environmental, social, and economic issues to develop ecologically responsible and resource-efficient goods, buildings, and infrastructure throughout their existence. Green roofs, solar panels, rainwater harvesting, natural ventilation, and energy-efficient lighting are examples of such features. It can also include the use of sustainable materials and the incorporation of natural aspects such as green spaces and natural light into the design. Sustainable design can help to reduce the environmental effect of buildings and infrastructure, improve occupant health and well-being, and make communities more livable and resilient.
All those examples are also often referred to as technology. That is the main reason why we need to find a way to make it easy to transfer technology wherever there are needed. Technology is crucial to sustainability because it allows for the development and implementation of more efficient and environmentally friendly products, processes, and systems. Here are a few examples:
- Renewable energy technologies, such as solar and wind power, can reduce reliance on fossil fuels while also lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
- Smart grid systems, can improve energy efficiency and reduce waste by allowing for better management and distribution of electricity.
- Energy-efficient building technologies, such as LED lighting and smart thermostats, can reduce energy consumption and lower emissions. Energy-efficient LED lighting is quickly replacing traditional incandescent bulbs in American homes and is expected to achieve 84 percent market share by 203[2].
- Electric vehicles, can reduce dependence on fossil fuels and decrease air pollution.
- Water treatment and conservation technologies can help to reduce water waste and improve water quality.
- Precision farming, for example, is a sustainable agricultural technology that can enhance crop yields while using less water and other resources.
- Industrial recycling and waste management technologies can help to reduce waste and pollution.
Technology can help achieve sustainability by increasing efficiency, lowering resource consumption, and limiting environmental effects.
Photo by Nuno Marques on Unsplash
Technology can play a critical role in helping to create a more sustainable future for all by enabling the development and implementation of more efficient and environmentally friendly products, processes, and systems. Some ways that technology can help to sustain a better future for all include:
- Increasing energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources: as we mentioned earlier, technologies such as smart grid systems, energy storage, and renewable energy systems can help to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
- Improving water and waste management: Technologies such as water treatment and conservation systems, and industrial recycling and waste management can help to reduce water waste and pollution and improve the overall sustainability of our communities.
- Enabling sustainable transportation: Electric vehicles, bike-sharing systems, and public transportation systems powered by renewable energy can help to reduce emissions and improve air quality.
- Advancing sustainable agriculture: Technologies such as precision farming, precision irrigation, and crop monitoring systems can help to increase crop yields, reduce water use and improve the overall sustainability of agriculture.
- Supporting sustainable design and building: Technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), smart building systems, and sustainable materials can help to reduce the environmental impact of buildings and infrastructure, and improve the health and well-being of occupants.
- Facilitating sustainable communities: Technologies such as smart city systems and sustainable urban planning tools can help to create more livable and resilient communities.
- Encouraging sustainable consumption: Technologies such as product tracking and transparency, and e-commerce platforms can help to increase the transparency of products and enable consumers to make more sustainable choices.
By utilizing technology, we can create more efficient, sustainable systems and reduce the negative impact of human activities on the environment, which in turn will lead to a better future for all.
Technology has had a profound impact on society and the environment. On the one hand, technology has permitted many breakthroughs that have enhanced people’s quality of life around the world, such as improved communication, transportation, and information access. On the other hand, technology has exacerbated several environmental issues, including pollution, climate change, and resource depletion.
Environmental impact: The manufacture and disposal of technological items can have a major environmental impact. For example, mining minerals for electronic devices can devastate habitats, and disposing of outdated electronics can result in harmful pollution. Additionally, technology products often require large amounts of energy to operate, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
Social impact: technology can have both positive and harmful effects on society. On the one hand, technology has the potential to connect people, encourage education, and improve information access. Technology, on the other side, can lead to social isolation, addiction, and the propagation of misinformation. Furthermore, because access to technology is not always equitable, technology can worsen societal inequities.
Economic impact: Technology has the potential to have a substantial economic influence. For example, it may result in employment displacement and automation, but it may also result in the creation of new jobs and possibilities. It can also contribute to increased economic growth and productivity.
Political impact: Technology has the potential to have a huge impact on politics. It can, for example, increase citizen engagement and participation in the political process, but it can also be used to disseminate misinformation and propaganda, undermining democracy.
As you would have understood technology has the potential to be a strong force for good, but it is critical to be aware of its negative consequences and to use technology responsibly, in a way that is sustainable for the environment and society.
Overall, A human-centered approach to sustainability prioritizes addressing the needs of current and future generations while safeguarding the planet’s natural resources. This strategy considers the social, economic, and environmental elements that influence people’s well-being and attempts to balance them in an equitable and sustainable manner.
Through a human-centered approach, technology plays a key role in attaining sustainability. It can help to improve energy efficiency, minimize waste, and increase natural resource production. Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, for example, can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. Smart building technologies can also enhance energy efficiency and lessen a building’s environmental effects. Digital technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) and big data analytics can also be utilized to improve resource consumption and eliminate waste.
It is crucial to highlight, however, that technology is not a panacea for sustainability challenges. A human-centered approach also addresses technology’s social and economic ramifications, ensuring that it serves all members of society. Furthermore, technology should be implemented in a manner that respects human rights and promotes social fairness.
How does technology help a human-centered approach to achieve sustainability goals with design?
Technology can help a human-centered approach to achieve sustainability goals through design in several ways:
- Designing for efficiency: Technology can be leveraged to create more energy and resource-efficient goods, buildings, and systems. Building information modeling (BIM), for example, can assist architects and engineers in designing buildings that are more energy-efficient and have a smaller environmental imprint.
- Adaptability design: Technology can also be utilized to create systems that are more flexible to changing conditions. Smart building technology, for example, can be used to monitor and modify heating, cooling, and lighting systems in response to weather and occupancy changes.
- Designing for engagement: Technology can be leveraged to create more engaging and interactive systems for users. The Internet of Things (IoT), for example, can be used to create buildings that provide real-time information on energy usage and resource use, which can assist drive people to save resources.
- Designing for community: Technology can be utilized to create more inclusive and engaging systems for communities. Using digital platforms, for example, can help to improve community interaction and participation in the design and planning of sustainable activities.
- Monitoring design: Technology can be utilized to create systems that monitor and track the performance of sustainable systems. Sensor networks and data analytics, for example, can be used to track and assess the environmental performance of buildings, transit systems, and other infrastructure.
It is vital to stress that technology should be utilized in a way that respects human rights and promotes social fairness, and it should be incorporated into a design process that includes all stakeholders, where all perspectives are heard and considered in the design process.
As we are discussing humans and their interactions with technology. This gave rise to another component of design known as UX (or User Experience design). The question then becomes, How Can UX Make Products More Sustainable? By examining the whole lifecycle of a product, from its design and development to its usage and disposal, UX design may make goods more sustainable. This involves choosing environmentally friendly materials, designing products that are simple to repair and upgrade, and developing interfaces that encourage energy-efficient usage. Furthermore, UX designers can create goods that are intended to be reused or recycled rather than being discarded. Overall, the purpose of sustainable UX design is to produce products that are both practical and eco-friendly.
References
[1] https://www.oeaw.ac.at/en/ita/topics/sustainability-and-technology
[3] https://ied.eu/blog/7-green-technologies-for-a-sustainable-future/
[4] https://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1049&context=artspapers
