Geodesign meets its institutional design in the cybernetic loop

Abstract

The paper offers a general overview of the possibilities and challenges of geodesign institutionalisation, i. e. its embedment into concomitant planning systems. The aim is to explore and suggest new areas of research regarding the institutional dimension of geodesign which could complement and enhance the rapidly developing research in its procedural dimension. Perceived as complementary to geodesign’s purpose, the cybernetic loop is used as a conceptual framework for the study. It implies organisation, interaction and co-evolution between the system with a set goal and its environment. The context of the study, the main terms and their interrelation are explained based on a literature review. geodesign institutionalisation in the cybernetic loop is sketched and used for identifying the elements of institutional design required for better informed and more collaborative process, but also more feasible geodesign studies. STEINITZ’S (2012) Geodesign Framework and BOOHER & INES’S (2002) network power model are interrelated and proposed for securing a more systematic approach to this endeavour. Due to the complexity and novelty of geodesign’s institutional dimension, along with conclusions, the lines of further research are proposed as well.