Powers of ten

Abstract

This paper reports on the 10 N Model, a participatory design approach, and a social innovation initiative in which the model has been applied. By introducing an actual application, the paper will show how the model helps a social innovation project to be sustained autonomously whilst it continues to increase its scale particularly at its infancy. The model also aims to solve challenges that arise from the traditional participatory approach, such as how to involve people beyond the existing community, how to foster strong and long-lasting sense of ownership among participants, and how to ensure diversity among them. The actual results and further challenges of the model will then be described, by giving examples of its use during a social innovation project concerning disability and inclusion in Fukuoka, Japan.