Title: Localisation and the design and production of sustainable products

Authors: Cagla Dogan, Stuart Walker

Addresses: Faculty of Environmental Design, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada. ' Faculty of Environmental Design, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada

Abstract: This paper presents an innovative approach to design research that integrates design-based research in its methodology and which explores ways of integrating |the local| within product design and production in order to more effectively address sustainable principles within our conceptual frameworks of |material culture| – its design, production and post-use processing. The concept proposed here, termed integrated scales of design and production not only suggests a more environmentally responsible notion of material culture, but one that also enables local cultural preferences and tastes to be explored. It is an approach that recognises the benefits of mass-produced uniformity and the benefits of local and regional diversity.

Keywords: localisation; design for sustainability; DFS; product design; production; post-use processing; sustainable products; design research; product development; mass production; local diversity; regional diversity.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPD.2008.020396

International Journal of Product Development, 2008 Vol.6 No.3/4, pp.276 - 290

Published online: 21 Sep 2008 *

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