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Design for Social Sustainability: Using Digital Fabrication in the Humanitarian and Development Sector

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  • Lucia Corsini

    (Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0FS, UK)

  • James Moultrie

    (Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0FS, UK)

Abstract

The demand for humanitarian and development aid has risen to an unprecedented level in recent years. With a pressing need for new solutions, designers have started using digital fabrication (3D printing, CNC milling and laser cutting) to produce life-saving items. However, many organisations are failing to create the impacts they desire, and the social aspect of sustainability has been largely overlooked. This paper addresses this gap in knowledge by investigating guidelines for Design for Social Sustainability, specifically looking at digital fabrication for humanitarian and development projects. Building on existing literature and conducting three in-depth case studies of healthcare related products, the research develops a framework for Design for Social Sustainability. It provides useful guidelines to help plan and evaluate digital fabrication projects in the humanitarian and development sector. The findings show how design can trigger social sustainability at product, process and paradigm levels. Specifically, the case studies reveal the potential for digital fabrication to lead to more systems-focused, radical social sustainability. The paper concludes that an iterative and holistic approach to Design for Sustainability is needed, that begins by examining the social dimension first.

Suggested Citation

  • Lucia Corsini & James Moultrie, 2019. "Design for Social Sustainability: Using Digital Fabrication in the Humanitarian and Development Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(13), pages 1-20, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:13:p:3562-:d:243737
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Nazanin Hosseini Arian & Alireza Pooya & Fariborz Rahimnia & Ali Sibevei, 2021. "Assessment the effect of rapid prototyping implementation on supply chain sustainability: a system dynamics approach," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 14(3), pages 467-493, December.
    2. Kolade, Oluwaseun & Adegbile, Abiodun & Sarpong, David, 2022. "Can university-industry-government collaborations drive a 3D printing revolution in Africa? A triple helix model of technological leapfrogging in additive manufacturing," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    3. Fan Chen & Sen Liu & Andrea Appolloni, 2020. "Horizontal Coordination of I-LNGOs in the Humanitarian Supply Chain: An Evolutionary Game Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-21, July.
    4. Georgi V. Georgiev & Vijayakumar Nanjappan, 2023. "Sustainability Considerations in Digital Fabrication Design Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-15, January.
    5. Jianfeng Wu & Chuchu Jin & Lekai Zhang & Li Zhang & Ming Li & Xuan Dong, 2021. "Emotionally Sustainable Design Toolbox: A Card-Based Design Tool for Designing Products with an Extended Life Based on the User’s Emotional Needs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-19, September.
    6. Anna Lewandowska & Zia Ullah & Fatima Saleh AlDhaen & Esra AlDhaen & Alina Yakymchuk, 2023. "Enhancing Organizational Social Sustainability: Exploring the Effect of Sustainable Leadership and the Moderating Role of Micro-Level CSR," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-16, August.
    7. Keeheon Lee, 2021. "A Systematic Review on Social Sustainability of Artificial Intelligence in Product Design," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-29, March.
    8. Ying Dai & Shyh-Huei Hwang, 2021. "Social Innovation Design and Sustainability of Youth-Led Bamboo Craft Brand in Zhushan Township, Taiwan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-27, September.
    9. Garrath T. Wilson & Tracy Bhamra, 2020. "Design for Sustainability: The Need for a New Agenda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-8, April.
    10. Lara Alshawawreh & Francesco Pomponi & Bernardino D’Amico & Susan Snaddon & Peter Guthrie, 2020. "Qualifying the Sustainability of Novel Designs and Existing Solutions for Post-Disaster and Post-Conflict Sheltering," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-19, January.
    11. Udo Kannengiesser, 2023. "Designing Socially and Organizationally Sustainable Industry 4.0 Systems: Requirements for Modeling Approaches," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-22, October.
    12. Sohail Ahmed Soomro & Hernan Casakin & Georgi V. Georgiev, 2021. "Sustainable Design and Prototyping Using Digital Fabrication Tools for Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-17, January.
    13. Mohd Effendi Muhammad Suandi & Mohammad Harith Amlus & Abdul Rahman Hemdi & Shayfull Zamree Abd Rahim & Mohd Fathullah Ghazali & Nur Liza Rahim, 2022. "A Review on Sustainability Characteristics Development for Wooden Furniture Design," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-56, July.
    14. Antreas Kantaros & Nikolaos Laskaris & Dimitrios Piromalis & Theodore Ganetsos, 2021. "Manufacturing Zero-Waste COVID-19 Personal Protection Equipment: a Case Study of Utilizing 3D Printing While Employing Waste Material Recycling," Circular Economy and Sustainability,, Springer.
    15. Lucia Corsini & James Moultrie, 2021. "What Is Design for Social Sustainability? A Systematic Literature Review for Designers of Product-Service Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-18, May.

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