Systemic Project Learning Zone

A metaphorical representation of a systemic approach 

My source: Chapter 7 in “Regenerative Leadership” by Giles Hutchins and Laura Storm An ecosystemic facilitator is one who sees the bigger picture, detects stagnant energy in the system, unlock flows, and know where special attention and effort is needed - so called acupuncture points. The concept of ‘urban acupuncture’ was coined by the Brazilian Mayor of Curitiba, Jaime Lerner. Lerner’s approach was to heal the city through acupuncture-inspired interventions. Instead of top-down, one-way urban planning his approach was to listen to people on the ground and carefully implement ideas in areas where those efforts could create positive ripples throughout the larger system. Just like acupuncture unlocks flow and stagnated energy by inserting needles in relevant meridian points, his approach was to unlock potential in the city one pinprick at a time, implementing creative approaches based on compassionate dialogue with the locals in the area sensing into their specific local needs and potential. The initiatives included a bench to rest on, a playground, a food-truck area, a park, improved sanitation, and a plan to thread electrical cables and water pipes through the handrails of the steep staircases that wind their way through the city’s hillside favelas, bringing power and water to those communities at minimal cost. His urban acupuncture strategy worked wonders albeit he had to bear much criticism in the beginning as his approach was deemed to radical. Lerner fought bureaucracy for decades, constantly having to argue that these particular efforts could not necessarily be measure, or controlled top-down: yet that they would ultimately bring value as they empowered people on the ground to take responsibility for the health and vitality of their city. Lerner believes that our obsession with measurable results has killed many great ideas. “If only cities had fewer peddles of complexity and more philosophers! (…) Industrious mediocrity is gaining ground, along with merchants of complexity: the bean-countries and the inclusive never-ending researchers. But sometimes, just one stroke of creativity is acupuncture powerful enough to make progress.” To Jaime Lerner Urban Acupuncture can be many things. The highline in New York, The Cheonggyenchin River in Seoul or “the music that plays in a city’s streets”. It’s about bringing life to areas where energy has stagnated and facilitating the living system through community, happiness, sustainability and connection. Where do we sense stagnated energy? Where could we help unleash new energy by empowering key members? 📗”Urban Acupuncture, Celebrating Pinpricks of Change That Enrich City Life” by Jaime Lerner 🇧🇷

The Cynefin framework