System design for sustainability. Theory, methods and tools for a sustainable “satisfaction-system” design. II edizione

The book introduces and describes the theory and the practice of System Design for Sustainability (SDS) - the design of such systems of products and services, which would be jointly capable of satisfying specific needs and desires of the customer, and related innovative stakeholders’ interactions, leading towards eco-efficiency and social equity and cohesion. The first chapter introduces the conceptual framework, the meaning and implication of sustainable development, and within that concept the need for so-called system innovation. The second chapter describes the role of design and the evolution of sustainability in it. It introduces the main notion of product Life Cycle Design (LCD), the concepts of life cycle and functional thinking as well as the main design criteria. In the third chapter it is highlighted where and why a product Life Cycle Design approach meets obstacles in traditional supply models of product in industrialised context. Then the concept of eco-efficient system innovation and the related opportunities are described. It is then deepen the practice on System Design for Eco-Efficiency (SDEE). In the fourth chapter it is introduced what is so far known about System Design for Social Equity and cohesion (SDSE). How this could be faced by designers and its practical implications. The fifth chapter describes the MSDS method and tools developed for designers aiming at designing systems for sustainability (adopted by the LeNS EU Asia link funded program, www.lens.polimi.it).