Experiential evaluation as a way to talk about livability in a neighborhood in transformation

Abstract

In order to preserve the open space in a suburbanized region as Flanders (Belgium), densification is one of the ways to go. But den-sification means that the existing living environment transforms and has an influence on the livability. This can lead to resistance by the inhabitants: they want to keep the idea of livability in their neighborhood. In the case of the Heilig-Hart neighborhood, we use the method of experiential evaluation to open up the debate on livability in a transformative neighborhood. Hereby, we bring aspects of formal evaluation and joint fact-finding in a participa-tory action research. At the end of the paper we discuss the first observations of the enrolment of this method so far: the definition of values, its experiential quality via a test setup and its resulting tradeoffs, its enhancement of communication between city policy and inhabitants by providing a common language and the skills that have been made visible and are developed throughout the process. CCS CONCEPTS • Human-centered computing → Interaction design.