Participatory system dynamics modelling for housing, energy and wellbeing interactions

Abstract

The built environment is a key target of decarbonization policies. However, such policies often have a narrow objective and narrow focus, resulting in 'policy-resistance' and unintended consequences. The literature attributes these unintended consequences to a narrow financial focus, adverse incentives, and inadequate handling of knowledge, skills, communication and feedback gaps, but it provides little advice on how these complex interactions can be captured. This paper illustrates the development and application of an integrated approach to address these complex interactions with regard to housing performance, energy, communal spaces and wellbeing. In particular, it explores the dynamics created by these relationships with simulation modelling in participatory settings, and with a diverse group of stakeholders. The simulation results suggest that monitoring is key to improve the performance of the housing stock besides energy efficiency; and investments in communal spaces positively affect the adoption of energyefficiency measures and the wellbeing of residents. The evaluation results for participatory workshops show this approach was found useful by the stakeholders for supporting more integrated decision-making about housing. In future research, this approach can be implemented for policy problems in specific contexts.

Understanding Rural Water Services as a Complex System: An Assessment of Key Factors as Potential Leverage Points for Improved Service Sustainability

“…A study protocol for the workshops and data collection was reviewed and approved by the University of Colorado's Institutional Review Board (IRB # 17-0292) and all participants gave their informed consent for inclusion before they participated in the workshops. Building upon participatory system dynamic methods [55][56][57][58], this work used a 'Factor Mapping' workshop format to elicit knowledge about factor interaction and dynamics as developed by Walters et al [59][60][61][62]. The GMB approach provided a structured process for engaging knowledgeable stakeholders in discussions around complex problems [46,63,64].…”

An Integrated Participatory Systems Modelling Approach: Application to Construction Innovation

“…The model analysis stage is essential in establishing confidence in the model correctness and usefulness before it can be used for decision making, scenario runs and policy analysis [12,13]. Undoubtedly, it is important to understand why and how certain model output emerged.…”

“…Both, quantitative and qualitative data is used throughout the modelling procedure. Nevertheless, incorporating qualitative inputs into SD models is very challenging [13]. However, reliable empirical data is often not available to support causal relationships for many of the elements contained within SD models.…”

“…Hence, participatory modelling approaches enable a modeller to understand specific situations and contexts by eliciting information from stakeholders with relevant backgrounds. Subsequently, the stakeholder engagement process connects the discussion and assessment of the problem-related factors encountered during the modelling process, facilitates the generation of dynamic hypotheses and the formulation of scenarios and finally ensures that only fit-for-purpose strategic options are being analysed [13,15]. A brief overview of the various types of participatory modelling approaches used for SD model building is provided below.…”

“…Subsequently, a conceptual model representing the problem within the system can be built by simplifying assumptions underlying a model design [12,13,27]. This simplification is done based on available data and knowledge of the relevant stakeholders.…”