Navigating complexity: design facilitation for collaborative solutions to urban challenges

As urban policy and governance challenges become increasingly complex, interdisciplinary approaches and participatory methodologies are essential. The evolving role of design affects the way it is practiced in these contexts. Instead of solely providing solutions, designers are now expected to connect, navigate, and facilitate collaboration between stakeholders from different public sector organizations. This paper aims to explore how multi-organizational design facilitation can contribute to addressing complex urban challenges, fostering and accelerating adoption of sustainable solutions. We delve into three concepts that underpin the creative facilitation process: the design mindset, futures thinking and experimental attitude. The context of this study is a big European project in which 12 cities collaborate and experiment, aiming to solve specific urban challenges. The paper argues for design facilitation to bridge gaps between diverse stakeholders, encourage co-creation, and facilitate the development of innovative solutions across various parties.