What’s this project all about?

A failed conversation between urban planners, landowners, and residents can lead to protests and write-offs in the millions. While participatory budgets (PB) involve the population in urban development, often they only reach an established middle class, thus reinforcing the prevailing power structures and excluding low-income groups and migrants. 

Taking LuzernNord as an example, this project proposes modifications to current approachess to Participatory Budgets.

A set of conversation tools –including the Wunsch-O-Mat, a mix-and-match book – help planners engage with minorities they usually overlook. 

The tools enable local residents to formulate their needs in an accessible manner. The collected insights are translated into concrete measures with the help of planning experts. The unheard voices of residents are thereby included in the planning discussion about a city’s future.

Who’s the service designer behind this project?

Martin Dusek graduated from the Master Service of the HSLU in 2022.