WEEK 8 CASE STUDY

  

 WICKED PROBLEMS

Ferdinand Taslim (TP072735)

Living in cities nowadays has some big problems that are hard to solve. A "wicked problem" describes social issues that are difficult to define clearly, with confusing information, involving many stakeholders with conflicting values, and where the consequences are not easily understood throughout the entire system (Lönngren & Van, 2021). These wicked problems include things like too many people living in one place, which makes houses too expensive and puts too much pressure on things like roads and buildings. Getting around can be tough because there's too much traffic and not enough buses or trains. Pollution from cars and trash is a big issue too. Some people have a lot more money and opportunities than others, which isn't fair. Also, some people don't have good access to doctors or hospitals. Crime can be a problem in some areas, and sometimes the people in charge don't do a good job or are corrupt. Some people have good computers and internet, but others don't, which isn't fair. And sometimes, the unique things about a city, like its culture and history, get lost because things change too fast. To fix these problems, everyone including government, businesses, and regular people needs to work together to make sure everyone has what they need to live well and happy in the city. This could also be the chance for young entrepreneur to shine and provide solutions.

Jovan Richaldy Chandra (TP071536)

Wicked problems are complex and multifaceted issues that defy straightforward solutions due to their interconnected nature and lack of clear definitions. In public policy debates and governmental decision-making, wicked problems are distinguished by profound disagreements regarding the essence of the issue and the most suitable remedies (Head, 2023). Below is one example of wicked problem in the city and its solution:

Issue: Homelessness in Urban Centers

Characteristics:

• Complexity: Homelessness is caused by several interrelated problems, including economic inequality, a shortage of affordable housing, mental health conditions, and drug usage.
• Uncertainty: Because different cities have different resources, policies, and demographics, solutions that work in one may not necessarily work in another.
• High Stakes: The effects of homelessness extend beyond the individuals who are affected to the larger community, affecting public health, safety, and economic output.

User Persona:

• Name: Ferdi
• Demographics:
• Age: 19
• Occupation: Data Analytics
• Location: Urban KL downtown area
• Psychographics:
• Extrovert, easy-going.
• Considering his community's welfare a priority
• Unsatisfied with the inaction being taken against homelessness.

Storyboard:

• Introduction: Ferdi passes several homeless people sleeping in doorways as he makes his way through the downtown streets to get to university
• Conflict: He reads an article about scores of homeless people being left without a place to sleep when a homeless shelter closed for lack of money.
• Struggle: Ferdi is driven to assist but is confused by how complicated the problem is.
• Turning Point: He goes to a community gathering where professionals talk about cutting-edge approaches to ending homelessness, for instance modular homes and job training schemes.
• Resolution: Ferdi joins a volunteer organization that promotes affordable housing and attempts to put some of the suggested solutions into practice after being motivated by the discussion..

Solution:

• Modular Housing: Work with developers and architects to produce affordable, easily assembled housing modules for the homeless.
• Employment Programs: Assist homeless people in regaining their independence by partnering with neighborhood companies to offer job training.
• Support Services: To address the root causes of homelessness, provide comprehensive support services such drug treatment, mental health counseling, etc.

Rafael John (TP072612)

When dealing with tough wicked problems in the city, a user persona is needed. Personas are fictional characters made to represent the behaviors and motivations of real users in a project's development phase. They stand in for actual users, helping to understand their needs and actions (Junior & Filgueiras, 2005). they are like a made-up character that represents real people facing those issues. For example, if the problem is homelessness, the persona might be a single mom struggling to find a home while also working and taking care of kids. Making these personas helps people understand what others are going through. It lets everyone see the different challenges and needs people have. By doing this, it's easier to come up with solutions that actually help because they're based on what real people need and go through. These personas are like guides for making decisions about how to fix the problems. They make sure that the solutions fit the real situations and problems that people face in the city.

Marcello Irawan (TP072752)

The wicked problem in modern world life is the money crisis. Marked by crises that will always occur in countries that are widespread and never end. This problem poses a serious threat to economic stability and the welfare of urban communities. The notion of wicked problems presents several characteristics that pose considerable challenges for decision-making. However, the complexity is further heightened by the emergence of the concept of 'super wicked problems' in recent times (Peters, 2017).

The world has more and more people, and humans born in modern times will always understand the latest technology better. And it is a problem nowadays because many young people are ambitious so the knowledge, they have can be said to be extraordinary.

In the modern world, the existence of the internet, markets, and many others brings problems that are not easy to see. Many people work as freelancers, waiters, and many more. They experience difficulties because the large number of people taking these jobs results in lower salaries received, and worse, they lose jobs that are easily replaced by uncontrollable price increases. This also applies to cuts in several budgets so that the quality of a country's services decreases.

To overcome this, effective steps are needed, one of which is coordination. City leaders need to lead by example, making the right decisions in addressing these complex economic challenges. Prepare the necessary reserve budget to be on guard during this crisis. With this, the economic crisis can be overcome easily. However, cooperation must be pursued with strength and commitment so that cities can get through difficult times.

Stanislaus Raymond Soecoko (TP077043)

There is a growing concern that large cities are reaching a size where the beneficence of nature is being surpassed in terms of providing fresh water, breaking down the pollution loads generated by city-based activities (or through dilution, rendering them less hazardous), providing all the raw materials that city producers and consumers use, and yielding cheap and easily exploitable energy sources (Hardoy et al., 2013). To solve tough city problems, we need to do a few things. First, city planners, government, and community members should work together to plan cities better. That means making sure new buildings are eco-friendly, transportation is good, and everyone can afford housing. Also, using smart technology can help make cities run smoother and safer.

Then, we should focus on helping the environment. This means using less pollution, using more renewable energy, and handling trash better. Planting more trees and having gardens in cities can make the air cleaner and cool things down. We also need to be ready for disasters caused by climate change, like floods or storms, by building stronger infrastructure. By thinking about people, the environment, and the economy together, cities can become better places to live for everyone.

Daniel Kurniadi Khodyat (TP073665)

Solving big problems in cities is hard because cities are huge systems with lots of parts that affect each other. Creating sustainable cities demands a different process of inquiry by decision-makers, policy-makers, and practitioners to support sustainable holistic thinking and transformational outcomes (Lonsdale et al. 2015 as cited in Colledge, 2017).  People in cities come from different backgrounds and have different needs and ideas, which can make it tricky to agree on solutions. As cities get bigger, they need more houses, transportation, and services, but sometimes there's not enough for everyone. This can make life unfair, with some people having a lot while others don't have enough. Also, cities are affected by big global issues like climate change and migration, which make solving problems even harder. Moreover, the rapid pace of urbanization further complicates matters, as cities must adapt quickly to accommodate growing populations while balancing environmental sustainability and economic development. With limited resources and competing interests, city leaders face tough decisions about how to allocate resources effectively and fairly. However, by fostering collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity, cities can overcome these challenges and create thriving, resilient communities for all residents.

References:

Lönngren, J., & Van Poeck, K. (2021). Wicked problems: A mapping review of the literature. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology, 28(6), 481-502.Warren, G. (2016). What Does It Mean to Be a Long-Term Investor?. Brandes Institute Research Paper, (2016-04).

 

Head, B. W. (2023). Wicked problems in public policy. In Encyclopedia of Public Policy (pp. 1-8). Cham: Springer International Publishing.

 

Junior, P. T. A., & Filgueiras, L. V. L. (2005, October). User modeling with personas. In Proceedings of the 2005 Latin American conference on Human-computer interaction (pp. 277-282).

 

Peters, B. G. (2017). What is so wicked about wicked problems? A conceptual analysis and a research program. Policy and Society, 36(3), 385-396.

 

Hardoy, J. E., Mitlin, D., & Satterthwaite, D. (2013). Environmental problems in an urbanizing world: finding solutions in cities in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Routledge.

 

Colledge, B. (2017). Appreciating the Wicked Problem: A Systems Approach to Sustainable Cities. Building Information Modelling, Building Performance, Design and Smart Construction, 11-29.