What is the contribution that design can make to sustainable
development? An examination of this in the context of small scale textile production

Thomas, A

Abstract

This paper examines design in the context of sustainable development, asking the question, what can
design contribute to sustainable development? Given the continued need for development that improves
quality of life and reduces poverty in both developed economies and those now developing rapidly such
as India and China, the need is urgent for this to be sustainable in all aspects, economic, environmental
and social.

The paper reports on doctoral work examining the relationship between design and sustainable
development within a selected part of the Welsh textile industry. Wales has been chosen for the work as it
has a legal governmental remit for sustainable development, making it one a very small group of
countries in the world to do so (Welsh Assembly Government 2004a). A case study approach has been
taken to the research question (Langrish 1993, Yin 2003) with the work taking place in three stages. The
second stage of the work is reported and discussed in this paper.

The methodological approach is a qualitative one (Denzin & Lincoln, 2000) as this enables the researcher
to build knowledge and theory during the course of the work in an iterative, reflexive way (Rossman &
Rallis 1998). An essential feature of the methodology is a systems approach to the research and the
reasons for this choice of approach and the insights gained are discussed (Naughton 1984, Checkland
2000). A further tool used in analysing the data is situational analysis (Clarke 2005). Both approaches use
visual methods, employing diagrams and the appropriateness of this to a design research question is
noted. These are judged to be suitable tools for the research question bearing in mind that the question
has been asked as to whether sustainability requires a new research approach (Tilbury 2008).

Findings from the first two stages of the research are reported including the use or otherwise of design in
the textile production and the contribution of the producers to the ‘three pillars of sustainable
development – economic, environmental and social. The planned third stage of the work is discussed and
the methodological approaches that will take allow this relationship to be explored further including a
reconceptualising of sustainable development.

The paper is concluded by a brief examination of similar types of textile production which could
contribute to sustainable development and the ways in which this could be enhanced by a design input.

Citation

development? An examination of this in the context of small scale textile production. Presented at D2B2: Tsinghua International Design Management Symposium, Tsinghua University , Beijing , China

• Presentation Conference Type: Other
• Conference Name: D2B2: Tsinghua International Design Management Symposium
• Conference Location: Tsinghua University , Beijing , China
• Start Date: Apr 23, 2009
• End Date: Apr 26, 2009
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2009
• Deposit Date: Oct 14, 2010
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 5, 2016
• Additional Information: Event Type : Conference