Our next step was defining the problem we wanted to tackle. The first challenge was deciding which wicked problem to focus on. We had a great conversation with everyone sharing their thoughts. It took a bit of deliberation, but we finally agreed on working with the Art Thinking: Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). We chose this because it had a larger scope to work with and was easier to research due to direct connections to the issue.
It was really interesting to see everyone’s viewpoints and how passionate they were about different aspects of disaster risk reduction. Some team members had personal experiences with disasters, while others were keen on the educational impact we could have. This mix of perspectives helped us make a well-rounded decision.
We wanted to ensure we truly understood the needs and experiences of those affected by floods. This involved immersing ourselves in research and gathering insights from various sources. Understanding the real challenges faced by people allowed us to refine our approach and create solutions that addressed actual needs, rather than relying on assumptions (What is Design Thinking? 2016).
After settling on DRR, we narrowed down the wicked problem to focus on one type of disaster – floods. By zeroing in on floods, we were able to create a focused and actionable plan. This helped us avoid the pitfall of being too broad and made our goal much more achievable.
We decided to concentrate on the flood-prone areas of NSW and Queensland. These regions have been significantly impacted by floods, making them ideal case studies for our project. Our initial research highlighted the frequent and severe nature of these floods and the urgent need for better preparedness strategies.
Focusing on preparation, we saw an opportunity to make a real difference by targeting primary-aged children and their families. The idea was to make disaster preparedness as routine as a fire drill, but way more engaging and informative. We wanted to empower families with the knowledge and tools they need to respond confidently to flood warnings.
Our goal was not just to address the immediate issue of being unprepared, but also to lay the groundwork for resilient communities that can handle future disasters. By educating children and their families, we hoped to instil a long-lasting culture of preparedness.
Connecting our project to the UN goals, we identified that our efforts align perfectly with Goal 11, Target 5. This goal is all about making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. By focusing on disaster risk reduction through education and preparedness, we’re contributing directly to this target. Our project aims to create a safer, more informed community that can stand strong in the face of future disasters.
