Gellivare (Sweden) - In preparation for the upcoming City Move Interdesign, the Swedish Industrial Design Foundation (SVID) hosted on 1-2 October, 2008 an 'Interdesign Experience Exchange' - a think-tank and information gathering session held in Gellivare, Sweden the location of the workshop scheduled to take place in March 22 - April 3, 2009.

During the two-day event, an international group of former Icsid Interdesign hosts, Icsid representatives and members from the local Municipality of Gellivare, took part in a stimulating meeting to exchange ideas and best practises in preparation for the workshop aimed at identifying socially responsible design methods to create new spaces for people.

In the midst of change
Many buildings and houses are vacant and have been boarded up, which gives the area an impression of depletion and have left the local community feeling unsettled.


Above: Initiatives have begun to fill the gigantic hole (seen in red) caused by the depleting ground in an attempt to prevent further movement. In yellow, the area currently endangered. In white, the area next affected and likely to be moved.

In the northern part of Sweden the mining industry continues to expand and, in certain areas, the ground is crumbling under entire cities. This poses enormous challenges to the survival of such cities and may force their populations to relocate. However, similar problems faced by the Municipality of Gellivare are also present in other mining regions in Northern Sweden.

Interdesign- an example of how design can make a difference
Interdesigns are Icsid's most important international initiative and an important regional development for the 2007-2009 term. Under the direction of Icsid President Carlos Hinrichsen, it is Icsid's objective to improve Interdesigns by helping the projects adapt to the realities of the new economy.

Icsid's intent to work closely with the Interdesign projects this term is supported by initiatives such as the Interdesign Experience Exchange to actively empower project organisers to develop and implement findings into real life solutions.

The work completed thus far by SVID has prompted a number of prepatory initiatives including the 'Concept Studio' and the creation and installation of the City Move 'ideas books', which have been strategically placed within the municipality of Gellivare to gather input from stakeholders and local people of all ages. The ideas gathered will ultimately become part of the research programme for the City Move project and the initiative has promoted collaborative interaction and a sense of local optimism about the current situation.



Above: The Concept Studio held in August 2008 is yet another example in collaborative research that has enabled SVID to collect information that will constitute a solid foundation for the Interdesign participants later next March.

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For more information on the City Move Interdesign visit the event page.
Or contact:
Mr. Claes Frossen
Project Manager City Move Interdesign
e:
w: www.svid.se/citymove

SVID- a design promotion network organisaiton
SVID develops and deepens an understanding of design in business and society at large. The aim is to increase awareness of the importance of design as a competitive tool and to professionally integrate design into these activities. SVID supports design research and design education to increase the knowledge about design.