Walking with others

The urgency of tackling climate change has never been greater. The EU-funded project Climate Smart Näsby aimed to reduce urban climate impact and at the same time enhance social sustainability in an immigrant-dense, socioeconomically challenged area. The project took place in Vattenriket Kristianstad, Sweden's lowest ground point and oldest UNESCO biosphere reserve. The municipality wanted to stimulate engagement in climate smart developments. Involving stakeholders and residents in immigrant-heavy and underprivileged neighborhoods calls for understanding and adaptation. The citizens' understanding of climate issues was unclear, as was also how to get access to their true views on involvement in climate issues. The municipaliti's previous attempts based on advertised visits with interviews on-site had not produced the results hoped for. We designed and tried out the participatory design method "Walking with Others". The method was designed to engage with residents and stakeholders in an non-intrusive manner, whilst also helping them to recall local memories related to the space of interest. The method's core principles emphasize personal interactions, emotional insights, and a focus on the community's unique characteristics. Through guided walks, we gained insights into the hopes, fears, and diverse narratives of the residents, allowing them to participate actively in shaping sustainable future solutions. The results were captured in a series of both physical and digital photo albums. The paper presents experiences of applying the method and discusses its shortcomings and strengths. The method has potential to be a valuable tool for localized, emotionally resonant interventions in addressing broader societal challenges.