Engineering Humanitarian Design Challenge 2024: Design Considerations

Design Considerations

Below are listed a few considerations we recommend you factor into your design idea to ensure it is appropriate to the context. You might ask yourself these questions a few times throughout the design process – it’s okay if you don’t have all the answers in week one!

You are encouraged to include a response to each of the below in the design proposal.

• Economic justifications 

Students will need to justify the economic feasibility of their design by focusing on aspects such as initial investment, material cost, implementation cost, and delivery and maintenance costs. They also need to highlight if the design can lead to any potential economic benefits to the community.

• Design sustainability

Students will need to consider the long-term applicability of their designs and should discuss the measurements which can be implemented and processes/methods which can be applied to guarantee the long-term performance of the design.

• Technical design

Students need to provide reasons why their design is technically the most appropriate? Is the design simple and at the same time applicable and efficient?

• Implementation

Students will need to show the roadmap of their design implementation. Does it need any additional construction? Can the local workforce be engaged; can local and culturally acceptable materials be utilised in the implementation?

• Environment

Students are recommended to discuss both the positive and negative aspects and impacts of their design on the ecosystem. Can the negative impacts on the environment be mitigated or minimised? How can the use of non-renewable resources and/or waste be minimised? How can productive and healthy environments be created? What environmentally friendly materials can be used in the implementation step of the project?

• Impacts on the community

Students need to discuss the possible impact of their design on the members of the community and whether their design has any potential conflict with the cultural and social practices of the community.

• Community engagement

Students are recommended to discuss the possibilities of community involvement in terms of engagement or consultation from the initial design to the implementation phases.