Tara ZERO

Project:

Duration:

8 Weeks

Partner:

Municipality of Milan CAG (Via Padova)

Coordinator:

Politecnico di Milano

My Role -

Research, Ideation, Facilitation, Content Writing, Developing the Insights, Questioning map, Co-designing with users and analysis of-design tools.

The Challenge

Is to create innovative youth spaces in Milan’s Youth Centres that actively engage young people in “co-designing and co-producing services,” empowering them to become active participants in their personal growth and the life of the city.

Context

The studio focuses on reimagining Youth Centres in Milan, known as “Centri di Aggregazione Giovanile” (Youth Gathering Centres). With 19 centres across various neighborhoods, most managed by third sector associations and some directly by the municipality, the aim is to create spaces that engage and support young people in their growth, education, and participation in public life.

Team:

Francesca Bertini | Mira | Luca | Feng

We solved to achieve # Youth Empowerment # Innovation in Youth Spaces # # Circular Economy #

Research

In conducting a comprehensive research study on a youth center, we have identified that youth centers are community-based facilities aimed at providing a wide range of services and activities for young people.Through a national and international case study approach, we explored a specific Community Action Group (CAG) and analyzed its neighborhood context.

Our analysis delved into the
operations, offerings, user demographics, activity schedules, historical evolution, and distinctive features
of the chosen CAG. The research findings highlight both existing challenges and opportunities for enhancing the CAG’s impact on the youth it serves, shedding light on the broader need for continued support and innovation in youth center initiatives

Service Concept

Insights from co-design with operators highlighted the need to bridge the gap between theoretical sustainability knowledge and practical application among youth. To address this, we propose a Community Action Group (CAG) focused on circular economy practices in the neighborhood. Core services include an upcycling lab, where experts guide youngsters in repurposing discarded items, and a Tarabella repair service, empowering them to fix broken items. The sharing space offers various items for borrowing, with potential for users to actively contribute to its growth. This concept aims to engage youth in sustainable practices, led by recognized experts, while fostering community involvement in resource sharing and management.

Key Elements of the Service:

The final concept for the Community Action Group (CAG) centers on maximizing neighborhood resources through activities promoting circular economy practices and engaging young people. Key insights from co-design with operators were considered, including the need for tangible sustainability actions, the importance of expert involvement, and encouraging youth participation in shaping the space.  The core services identified are:

Upcycling Lab: Youngsters actively upcycle discarded items with the guidance of experts, fostering creative reuse and sustainability.
Tarabella Repair: Youngsters actively repair broken items with expert assistance, promoting skills development and reducing waste.

These core services aim to provide long-term benefits, high user involvement, and require significant CAG effort. Additionally, there are complementary services that can potentially become core over time:

Sharing Space: Offering various items for borrowing or use, with potential for user-driven contributions as they become more engaged.
Tarabella on Display: Showcasing and selling upcycled creations, allowing young participants to gain recognition and fundraise for the center.
Tarabella Saving Dinners: Collaborative events against food waste, utilizing unsold ingredients to cook communal dinners.
Tarabella Circular Garden: Initiating nature-oriented activities, including composting organic waste for gardening, fostering a connection with nature.

Key elements of the service include promoting sustainable practices, involving experts to guide and motivate youngsters, encouraging active participation, and gradually shifting some complementary services to core as users become more engaged in contributing to the community hub’s activities.

The Outcome...

Service Design Proficiency: Acquiring a deep understanding of service design theory and tools, enabling me to effectively navigate complex multicultural and multidisciplinary interactions.
Societal and Environmental Awareness: Developing the ability to analyze the societal and environmental impacts of project choices, ensuring responsible decision-making.
Effective Communication: Gaining the skill to create concise project summaries and deliver compelling presentations that clearly articulate service solutions.
Collaboration and Leadership: Cultivating teamwork skills such as negotiation, team building, leadership, and conflict resolution to work effectively within diverse groups.
Problem-Solving: Developing the capability to apply knowledge and problem-solving skills beyond the immediate context of the subject matter, addressing a wide range of challenges.