Towards a design research methodology: agent-based model development through stakeholder participation in the case of decentralized urban vermicomposting facilities

A case study involving decentralized vermicomposting facilities in urban agriculture areas of Amsterdam is presented, which contributes to the development and evaluation of an innovative design research methodology (Lange et... [ view full abstract ]

A case study involving decentralized vermicomposting facilities in urban agriculture areas of Amsterdam is presented, which contributes to the development and evaluation of an innovative design research methodology (Lange et al., 2017). The methodology aims to uncover generic knowledge on facilitating urban symbiosis by combining a design research methodology with modeling methods and stakeholder participation, respectively inspired by Dam et al. (2013); Denyer et al. (2008); and Hare et al. (2011). In the project, stakeholders participate in modeling the effect of decentralized organic waste treatment technologies on business value creation. The participatory methods are used for model development.

Currently, separate collection of organic waste is gaining ground in European cities, but the concept of urban decentralized organic waste processing technologies is not. Policymakers, civilians and waste collection and processing agencies, are lacking insights in the interaction between the social agents and decentralized processing technologies for densely populated urban areas. Agent-based Models (ABMs) are considered most suitable for modeling these complex adaptive systems. Participatory methods in modelling are widely accepted as ways to clarify and identify assumptions and behavior of social agents in case studies.

In total, approximately 15 public and private stakeholders participated in workshops. By their involvement in the realistic description of the urban vermicomposting systems, an agent-based model is developed. The application of participatory agent based modelling to the case study resulted in a three step approach: (1) a design research method for stakeholder participation in modelling symbiosis, (2) an agent-based model of the socio-technical system, and (3) design propositions for the application of urban decentralized vermicomposting facilities.

The iterative development of a model through stakeholder participation will be presented on the conference. Model development can be expressed as changes in model accuracy, stakeholder acceptance and network integration as perceived by the stakeholders during the modeling process.

Conclusively, the method facilitates in synthesis and evaluation of innovative solutions with policy makers, end users, and service providers that are involved in decentralized waste processing technologies, such as the municipality, waste producing companies and waste collection and processing agencies.

References

Dam, K. H. van, Nikolic, I., & Lukszo, Z. (2013). Agent-Based Modelling of Socio-Technical Systems. In K. H. van Dam, I. Nikolic, & Z. Lukszo (Eds.), Agent-Based Modelling of Socio-Technical Systems (1st ed., pp. 52, 53). Dordrecht: Springer Science+Business Media.

Denyer, D., Tranfield, D., & van Aken, J. E. (2008). Developing Design Propositions through Research Synthesis. Organization Studies, 29(3), 393–413.

Hare, M. (2011). Forms of participatory modelling and its potential for widespread adoption in the water sector. Environmental Policy and Governance, 21(6), 386–402.

Lange, K., Korevaar, G., Oskam, I., & Herder, P. (2017). Developing and Understanding Design Interventions in Relation to Industrial Symbiosis Dynamics. Sustainability, 9(5), 826.