Designing For Adoption: Participatory Approaches To Waste Processing Solutions In Bekasi, Indonesia

This article examines the gap between designers and communities in participatory design practices, using community-adoptable waste processing as a case study. The research was conducted in Mekarmukti and Tanjungbaru, Bekasi, West Java. Critical motivational factors within the community, such as economic benefits and pride, influenced the acceptance of proposed solutions while constraining them to options aligned with local preferences. Designers formulated solutions that sought to accommodate these preferences. This qualitative study employed a participatory action research approach, integrating material exploration methods during the implementation phase. Laboratory-scale experiments were conducted prior to the broader application of the findings. As of this writing, the preparation phase is ongoing. The results suggest that waste processing solutions are more readily accepted when they align with the community’s technical preferences, do not require substantial investment, and avoid significant disruptions to daily routines. A process model is proposed that emphasizes solutions minimizing additional work and behavioral changes. The artifact model remains under development