Objective:
Create a public interest technology centered around sustainability with a scope of 10 years, with supporting research, roadmaps, and literature. Develop a prototype that supports your PIT, and represent its functions and resilience.
Constraints:
Accurate research and peer-reviewed feedback. Futuristic design system thinking ability, and sustainability integration. The project should be a viable venture to create impact with the development of technology and society kept in mind.
Cura is a project designed with an ambitious vision for financial system re-design and takes a step forward into deep adaptation technologies. With the concept of revolutionizing the definition of value from "money" to "time", the future opens itself to localized and self-sufficient communities, decentralizing from the mass consumption and creation of waste that threatens the balance of humanity's comfort and the ecosystems we survive off of. Cura makes the use of various design methodologies and forecasting to back its perspective on upcoming technologies in a way that they can be used to create a lasting backbone for circular economy.
1
Foundation:
Inspiration
Literature Takeaways
Research Question
Future Scenario
2
PIT System:
Opportunities
Unknowns
Stakeholders
Enablers
Pitfalls and Barriers
Organizations
3
10-Year Horizons:
Horizons Roadmap
Micro Projects
4
Integration:
Technology
Community Hub
Sketches and Process Work
5
Visual Development
and Prototype:
Video Presentation
UI Design
Feedback
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Phase 1
Foundation
Inspiration: The concept for this PIT truly formulated when I attended a seminar at the University of the Arts, London, at a seminar panel discussion regarding Design in 2040.
The speakers discussed the definition and the evolution of it in the uncertain future, taking into account the current environmental, societal, cultural, and political landscapes.
The question was "What will design in 2040 look like?" The was a range of topics discussed from various perspectives, from angles of logic and large-scale policy change, to points of hopelessness and revolution in the younger generations.
A key takeaway from the panel was that as designers, we also design for money and profit is king for many clients. This capitalism, consumerism, commercialization, and race for revenue has led us to a tipping point in history.
How can we redefine our perception of value to foster systemic healing, shifting focus toward meaningful, community-driven solutions for the flaws in our current behavioral systems?
Key Research
Takeaways
The literature deeply influenced the foundational concepts of the project, providing both theoretical grounding and actionable inspiration. The Value of a Whale by Adrienne Buller offered a critical lens on how economic systems commodify environmental efforts, underscoring the importance of reframing value to prioritize sustainability and care over profit. This connected directly with the Cura project’s goal to redefine worth through time and community contributions. In Less is More, Jason Hickel’s exploration of degrowth principles emphasized the necessity of reducing consumption and creating systems that enhance well-being, influencing the community-driven, non-fiat currency model. Similarly, The Future of Money by Bernard Lietaer delved into alternative currencies and trust-based economies, which informed the structural design of Cura’s decentralized and transparent economic system.
On the technical side, Blockchain Revolution by Tapscott and Tapscott offered clarity on blockchain’s role in enabling trust and transparency, directly inspiring the integration of smart contracts and secure resource exchanges within the system. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s detailed reports on circular economy frameworks provided essential technicalities for designing sustainable material flows, shaping the functionality for material reclamation and resource sharing. These readings bridged abstract theories with real-world applications, driving both conceptual depth and practical innovation in Cura’s design. These books, sites, and other related case studies cited created a strong foundation in the possible opportunities, risks, and potential arc of the project, and provided reasonable backing to the inititiave to decentralize consumerism from large-scale retail manufacturing brands.
Research Question
How can a multi-functional, value-based community hub facilitate sustainable behavior, resource-sharing, and community building in urban environments through material marketplaces to shift away from consumerism?
Future Scenario
In 10 years, communities thrive on a revolutionary value-based currency system that rewards societal and environmental contributions. This system, built on decentralized blockchain networks, emphasizes time, care, and ecological stewardship over monetary wealth. Communities no longer define success by GDP or material accumulation but by collective well-being and environmental resilience.
In bustling urban centers, digital city dashboards light up with vibrant visuals displaying real-time metrics: air quality improvements, carbon footprint reductions, and community participation in initiatives such as urban gardening, skill-sharing, and material reclamation. Recycling kiosks embedded throughout cities serve as hubs of circular economies. Materials are redirected into local maker labs, where artisans and small businesses craft sustainable products. These labs, supported by the new economy, have revived craftsmanship, enabling cities to celebrate local creativity and reduce reliance on mass production.
Trust-based economics has reshaped marketplaces. Businesses now operate on cooperative models, partnering with communities to co-create solutions rather than extract value. Incentives are deeply tied to sustainability; for instance, individuals receive higher value for repairing items than replacing them. In rural areas, localized currencies adapt to agricultural and ecological needs, fostering food sovereignty and biodiversity through regenerative practices.
Through continuous feedback loops, city dashboards use citizen input and data analytics to adjust incentives and policies. The value-based currency system has not just transformed economies but also social connections. Neighborhoods, once fragmented, are vibrant with shared purpose. Evening potlucks and collaborative art projects are common, blending personal contributions with communal celebration. As communities grow stronger, the culture of care and sustainability becomes a deeply ingrained way of life.
Phase 2
PIT System Design
Phase 3
Phase 4
Integration
Phase 5
Prototype and Visual Development
Cura is a community-powered platform that incentivizes sustainable behaviors by rewarding local environmental and social contributions with a unique digital currency. Through resource-sharing kiosks, a mobile app, and public dashboards, Cura enables residents to exchange goods, volunteer hours, and sustainable actions for currency that can be used within the community. Through participation in this gamified system, users collectively reduce waste and cultivate a circular economy, fostering deeper connections and resilience in their urban environment. Cura empowers individuals to make informed, eco-conscious decisions with real-time feedback and an immersive experience. Gamified elements and community events transform daily activities into meaningful contributions toward a sustainable, interconnected city.
Wrapping up...
Culmination
The Cura system is an innovative initiative designed to foster sustainability, community engagement, and circular economic practices through its multifunctional platform. It aims to decentralize from mass-manufacturing processes and retail companies. At its core, Cura transforms the way people interact with waste management, resource distribution, and community-building efforts. By utilizing kiosks as central access points, it seamlessly integrates value-based transactions and ecological consciousness into daily life. It aims to reinvent non-fiat currency with a sentiment-based foundation, hence incentivizing simple activities, expanding to create a circular economy.
Functioning and Use:
Cura kiosks, strategically placed in urban and rural areas, act as dynamic hubs of activity. These kiosks are equipped with advanced AI-powered recycling systems that sort and process materials while instantly rewarding users with community credits. This value-based currency, earned through activities like recycling, volunteering, or mentoring, is redeemable for goods, services, or experiences within the Cura ecosystem. The kiosks also provide real-time feedback and educational resources, helping individuals understand their contributions' ecological and societal impact.
Integration in Community Hubs:
On a larger scale, Cura extends its reach through community hubs that serve as innovation and collaboration centers. These hubs host maker labs where reclaimed materials from kiosks are transformed into new products, revitalizing local craftsmanship and reducing waste. They also offer skill-sharing workshops, sustainability education programs, and events that foster community cohesion. The hubs leverage Cura’s value-based economy to empower citizens to participate actively in co-creating solutions that address local challenges.
Broader Impact:
The Cura system exemplifies a decentralized and inclusive approach to sustainability. By embedding circular economy principles into everyday transactions and interactions, it shifts societal norms from consumption-driven to community-driven. Its adaptable model can scale to neighborhoods, cities, and even nations, paving the way for a future where ecological stewardship, social equity, and economic resilience coexist harmoniously.Academic Mentor Feedback:
Your work demonstrates a creative approach to integrating a circular economy as a driving principle for your PIT. However, the connection between the community and the kiosk could be strengthened to ensure a clearer alignment with public interest goals through the video in particular. Consider elaborating on how the kiosk will actively engage with the community, foster trust.
You’ve highlighted the opportunities, such as technological developments, emerging of local currencies, and local resource sharing. The storyline of your video is easy to follow and enjoyable.
Peer Review:
The Cura project demonstrates a well-thought-out and iterative approach. The inclusion of stakeholder feedback and adaptive phases ensures that the project remains grounded in practicality while responding to real-world challenges. The ideation phase stands out for its ambitious yet thoughtful premise. The project takes a holistic approach to addressing systemic problems, quite similar to a all-for-one solution to a large scale problem, exhibiting efficiency in systems design. The integration of literature and seminar learnings reveals a depth of inquiry that translates into innovative concepts.
The adoption of blockchain technology, AI-powered recycling systems, and decentralized data dashboards aligns with the project’s goals of transparency, inclusivity, and sustainability. However, blockchain’s energy consumption and scalability challenges might pose risks to the feasibility of large-scale implementation, which warrants further exploration of eco-friendly alternatives. Cura’s design philosophy is both functional and emotionally resonant. The system’s emphasis on community-driven interactions and gamified incentives aligns with user-centric design principles. The emphasis on inclusivity and circular economy principles reinforces the project’s societal relevance. Still, further user testing might provide insight into whether the design language resonates across diverse demographics.
While the project is conceptually robust, its real-world implementation requires addressing logistical and ethical challenges. For instance, the transition to a value-based currency system would require substantial policy changes, public education, and infrastructure investments. The Cura project balances creativity with pragmatism, offering a visionary yet actionable framework for addressing systemic issues. It has the potential to be a transformative initiative in sustainability and community building.
Books and Journals
Batty, M., 2018. Digital Cities: The New Economy of Smart Urbanism. New York: Springer.
Chen, Y. & Sadeh, N., 2019. Alternative Currencies: The Bristol Pound and Its Relevance to Sustainability. International Journal of Community Currency Research, 23(1), pp. 55-70.
Greco, T.H., 2015. The End of Money: The Future of the Currency and the Role of Digital Currencies in Local Economies. Boston: Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
Hirsh, R.F. & Sovacool, B.K., 2013. Renewable Energy: A Primer for the Twenty-First Century. New York: Columbia University Press.
Li, H. & Jha, S., 2020. Sustainability and the Circular Economy: Implications for Local Communities. Journal of Cleaner Production, 256, p.120-140.
Pargman, T. & Righolt, K., 2020. Communities and the Role of Local Currencies in Building Sustainable Economies. Local Economy, 35(1), pp. 27-41.
Putnam, R.D., 2000. Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Russell, S. & Norvig, P., 2016. Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach. 3rd ed. Pearson.
Rydin, Y. & Pennington, M., 2000. Public Participation and Local Environmental Planning: The Case of Local Agenda 21 in the UK. Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy, 18(2), pp. 167-182.
Tapscott, D. & Tapscott, A., 2017. Blockchain Revolution: How the Technology Behind Bitcoin Is Changing Money, Business, and the World. New York: Penguin.
Web Sources
Arm Holdings, n.d. Arm’s Role in IoT and Sustainability. https://www.arm.com
Ashton, K., 2009. That ‘Internet of Things’ Thing. RFID Journal. https://www.rfidjournal.com
DataKind UK, n.d. Data and AI for Social Impact. https://www.datakind.org.uk
Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2015. Towards a Circular Economy: Business Rationale for an Accelerated Transition. https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org
Everledger, n.d. How Blockchain Works for Sustainability. https://www.everledger.io
Hubbub Foundation UK, n.d. Engaging People in Sustainability. https://www.hubbub.org.uk
RVM Systems UK, n.d. Reverse Vending Machines for a Circular Economy. https://www.rvmsystems.co.ukProject Made for Design Resilience: Future Forecasting: Design Futures Elective Term 1, Royal College of Art, London
Epilogue
Design Frameworks
for Systems Design
Through Cura, I learned how to approach design challenges from a systems perspective, integrating multiple layers of technology, community dynamics, and circular economic models. Understanding how each element—kiosks, community hubs, and value-based currencies—interacts allowed me to create a cohesive and scalable solution. This taught me the importance of holistic thinking in solving complex problems.
New Prototyping
Tools
Working with Blender and Procreate for prototyping and animations pushed me to expand my technical skill set. These tools enabled me to bring Cura’s concepts to life visually and dynamically. It highlighted the importance of embracing new challenges and adapting to unfamiliar software to elevate the quality and depth of design outputs.
Strengthening Research-
Driven Design
The project deepened my appreciation for grounding design decisions in rigorous research. Engaging with literature on blockchain, circular economies, and value-based systems not only informed Cura’s foundational concepts but also demonstrated how well-backed insights can lead to innovative and credible solutions. It helped to have clarified research to back my knowledge in the system to justify topics that I didn't have a definite background in.