
Supporting Creative Minds in Urban Planning (SEMINAL)

- Company: Seal on the Beach
- Client: European Commission
- Year: 2024 - 2025
- Region: Europe
- Artificial intelligence (AI) and software solutions
Introduction
Challenges
Efforts to support these processes primarily rely on technological interventions that make data, analytical tools, and visualization solutions more affordable and accessible. The assumption is that more standardized and analytical approaches to future thinking would lead to better outcomes.
These efforts, however, overlook the hidden costs associated with dismissing the more intuitive and creative aspects of strategic thinking. This includes evidence-seeking, prioritization and quality check processes. Even more concerning are the unaddressed costs of highly objectified and standardized processes, including diminished confidence, the erosion of creative agency, and a lack of trust in the evidence or support provided.
Solutions
The toolkit includes:
- An open-access report exploring creativity in strategic thinking and its implications for designing decision support systems.
- Open-access tests and games to help planners identify and understand their decision-making styles.
- A curated, open-access directory of books, academic studies, and policy documents on creative decision-making across various disciplines.
- A paid feature offering bespoke recommendations on processes and tools tailored to specific styles and challenges.
Recognizing that not all decision-makers are rational problem-solvers by nature or training, we propose that understanding individual decision-making styles and receiving tailored support based on those styles can significantly reduce the economic and emotional costs of addressing strategic challenges.
Results
Most features of the toolkit are mostly accessible online at no cost and can be used as an educational resource in organizations. The paid feature requires more consideration and involvement from our team and is delivered depending on specific cases.
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