The Looper Model is a new way of improving neighbourhoods and cities. It includes not only data for technical problem-solving, but also the human side of co-creation, via the ‘learning loops’. The Looper Model can help with practical solutions for air quality, noise, traffic safety, security, greenspace and other challenges in the public realm.

A Learning Loop first sets up a collective debate on priorities, with participatory citizen monitoring. A community-based visioning, and design and evaluation process follows, and then real improvements are made with feedback on the outcomes.

A Looper Living Lab can be set up with the structure of the ‘6-P’ – people, place, priorities, policies, platform and process. Three Looper Living Labs in Brussels, Manchester and Verona developed and tested the Model.

The Looper Toolkit includes monitoring kits for air or noise, tools for visualisation, evaluation and decisionmaking, as well as online or offline tools for citizens to explore ideas and designs.

The Looper Model

The Looper Model: step by step

Scoping

Citizens explore and debate on what matters to them in the neighbourhood. This covers both problems and possible opportunities; and physical or social issues. We aim to engage with all parts of the community, particularly those who are excluded in some way.

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

Data collection

Low-cost digital monitoring tools can be used by residents for practical issues such as air and noise pollution, traffic, safety or greenspace. The results are then uploaded to an online platform, which can be cross-checked with official monitoring stations.

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

Visualisation

The results are visualised with online maps, to show the nature of the problem over space and time. For participants who prefer non-digital encounters, we provide physical resources for workshop discussions, on what the collected data means, and how we can respond.

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

Co-design

Residents and other stakeholders come up with ideas to solve the problem. These can include interventions in public spaces, social actions or special events. We generate a range of design concepts, from initial ideas to sketches of how they would look on the ground.

CO-DESIGN

Evaluation

Before going ahead, we evaluate the co-designed options, with a multi-actor multi-criteria assessment (MAMCA). This evaluation helps to form the shortlist for action by checking for possible conflicts and synergies between the people and stakeholders affected.

CO-DESIGN

Actions

Actions and ‘interventions’ are put into practice. These can be physical improvements (traffic calming and street art) or social actions (e.g. walking plan for schoolkids). Some of these may take time to get budgets and permissions.

ACTION AND FEEDBACK

Monitor & feedback

We monitor closely the effects of the interventions. Where possible, we use the same method used to measure the problem. Then we discuss the results with residents and policymakers. Hopefully we learn from the experience, so that the next round can be improved.

ACTION AND FEEDBACK