This research project explores how we can apply Emerging Design Landscapes such as Critical Design and Collective Creativity, in combination with traditional fields of visual communication to address societal challenges in cooperation with society. In particular, this paper aims to question the visual representation of nuclear warfare, and how we could utilize Peircean Semiotics to better understand set representation. The design outcome is a critical board game that at its core aims to create a discussion around the visual representation of nuclear warfare today and act as a learning platform that would help its user better understand the practice of semiosis.

Malgré une littérature abondante sur les conséquences des technologies de l'information et de la communication (TIC), cette littérature n'aborde que trop peu les conséquences sociétales, qu'elles soient positives ou négatives, intentionnelles ou non. Parce que les interactions se propagent au-delà de l'espace en ligne et de ces conséquences paradoxales, les défis sociétaux sont un problème complexe. C'est pour ces raisons que nous avons besoin d'une meilleure compréhension des problèmes sociaux complexes. Pour ce faire, nous avons adopté le modèle de la thèse sur travaux. Les trois études de ce travail de doctorat adoptent une approche qualitative et un positionnement réaliste critique. Nous examinons un premier cas : celui du Printemps Arabe et l'utilisation de Facebook. Etudier ces types d'événements contemporains ne vient pas sans difficultés analytiques. Par conséquent, nous utilisons un outil d'analyse sémiotique pour faire face à la complexité représentationnelle des données recueillies. Enfin, les communautés en ligne peuvent également générer des coûts sociaux en fournissant un espace se faisant l'écho à des comportements socialement indésirables. / Despite the wide literature on the consequences of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) use, the literature still lacks understanding about the societal consequences, positive or negative, intended or unintended. Consequences of technology usages on society are paradoxical. The paradoxical outcomes can be threat to the sustainability of society. Because interactions spread beyond the online space and its outcomes are paradoxical, societal challenges are complex problem. To harvest society, we need a better understanding of social complex problems. To do so, we adopted a multi-study dissertation model. The three studies of this doctoral work adopt a qualitative approach and a critical realist philosophy.We look at a first case: The Arab Spring and aim at understanding how an online community that started on Facebook materialized in urban space, changing the political landscape. Addressing these contemporaneous events does not come without analytical challenges. Therefore, we use and extend a semiotic analytical tool to face the representational complexity: Finally, online communities can also have social costs by providing an echo chamber to socially undesirable behaviors.

The primary intent of this thesis was to determine if and how the practice of Art of Hosting, a dialogue–based, participatory process architecture, could foster social capital in communities and other large, complex social systems working to address a variety of complex challenges, in order to draw conclusions that could contribute, in a meaningful way, to the advancement of strategic sustainable development (SSD). We hoped to gain useful insights by examining and interpreting the results from two case study systems existing within very different social contexts and with very different organizational structures: Columbus, Ohio and the European Commission. Based on the results of our research, strategic recommendations, guidelines and tools were developed for SSD practitioners wishing to assess the level of social capital in the systems in which they operate and take strategic steps to increase it. These same recommendations, guidelines and tools should also be helpful for Art of Hosting practitioners working to address complex societal challenges in general. Overall, the authors of this thesis believe that these results hold particular significance for any collaborative or multi-stakeholder effort to build support for adoption, and ensure the successful implementation, of sustainability goals and programs. This could include Eco-Municipalities, Transition Towns, Agenda 21 Communities, Smart Cities, and large complex organizations such as multi-national corporations or universities, to mention but a few. / <p>daly.elaine2013@gmail.com</p>

Soot pollution is a form of air pollution that can severely damage public health and the environment. The Residents of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, and its environs have been suffering from the negative environmental effects of particle (soot) pollution since the fourth quarter of 2016. The emergence of this pollution has been drawing the interest of academics, international and local civil society organizations, and the government. The study analyzes soot pollution as a grand societal challenge in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, and critically understand the role of environmental governance (different stakeholders) and leadership concerning soot pollution in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Given the interest of this research, the author decided to view the research problem from a social constructive perspective. Qualitative method (interview) was adopted in collecting data from eight (8) different stakeholders; two representatives from government, oil companies, civil society, and the community members respectively. The content and thematic analysis technique was used to analyze key informant interviews. Empirical findings shows that soot pollution in Port Harcourt Nigeria is a complex problem and poses several threats to the public health, politically, economically and the social environment. Further results also indicated governance as one of the most important factors in ensuring a sustainable environment.

The paper evaluates nature-based solutions for a retrofitting proposal for the combined regeneration, climate adaptation, and green space management of the industrial area Gåsebäck in Helsingborg, Sweden. The objective of this study was to evaluate options for how Gåsebäck could be sustainably regenerated and developed, while providing additional security against future negative effects of climate change, through the implementation of nature-based solutions. The methods used were unstructured interviews, literature study, thematic data analysis, and scoping review. Some urban societal challenges the area is facing were identified as Urban regeneration, Climate adaptation, and Green space management. The suggested NBSs to address these challenges are phytoremediation, mycoremediation, street trees and bushes, green walls, green roofs, flower beds, permeable surfaces, roadside greenery, rain gardens, de-culvertation and pocket parks. Examples of how the identified nature-based solutions can be retrofitted to block Italien are installing green walls on the old fire station for noise and pollution abatement, biodiversity increase, climate regulation, and enhancement of green elements; green roofs on various buildings for e.g. water management, increased biodiversity and green elements; street trees and bushes along the streets Södergatan and Malmöleden/Gåsebäcksvägen for noise and pollution abatement, water management, biodiversity increase, and enhancement of green elements; site specific installation or pocket park with phyto- or mycoremediation; flower beds and roadside traffic to increase attractiveness; and rain gardens and permeable surfaces for water management. / <p>20180620</p>