How can narrative planning uncover user needs and shape sustainable heritage preservation?
With an innovative spin, Rhindon adopted a narrative planning approach to extract valuable user insights in the form of a heritage business stories mapping project for the National Heritage Board. The project aimed to understand the existing needs and challenges faced by heritage businesses in Kampong Gelam and to inform various government agencies on how to refine their plans and policies moving forward for the future sustainability of the precinct.
OUR APPROACH
The team conducted several alignment workshops with internal and external stakeholders to set project goals and strategies and highlight important issues for research. This was crucial for a multi-stakeholder project within a culturally and socially significant precinct like Kampong Gelam.
Rhindon designed and facilitated these workshops to enable two-way communication between NHB/URA and the stakeholders, moving away from traditional one-way FGD-style engagement. Based on an agreed direction and objective, Rhindon trained and worked alongside NHB’s volunteers throughout the user research process, interviewing the identified heritage businesses in Kampong Gelam.
We designed a series of online clinics to help volunteers troubleshoot any issues during the interviews. Subsequently, we conducted sense-making and co-creation workshops with the volunteers to process the research data and translate user insights into a series of design opportunities for further implementation by NHB. This deep involvement of volunteers significantly shifted the public perception of the level of engagement that government agencies could involve them with.
OUR VALUE
The stories posted on the online heritage portal, a key component of our project, have significantly increased awareness of each heritage shop in Kampong Gelam. This has boosted market exposure and enhanced the historical value of these businesses among locals and tourists.
The insights gained from the interviews, including the challenges faced by heritage business owners, have been instrumental in evaluating the effectiveness of current government policies and aid. This, in turn, has informed future plans to raise the profile and economic productivity of the entire precinct.
From the project evaluation, tangible outcomes for the public volunteers include:
• After the training workshop, an increased understanding of the cultural diversity of Kampong Gelam and the background, stories, and challenges of heritage businesses.
• A deeper appreciation of the heritage businesses, culture, and community of Kampong Gelam after completing this volunteering programme.
• Enhanced interview, research, and analysis skills, making the public volunteers feel more involved in commemorating local heritage.
• A fulfilling and meaningful learning experience for the public overall.
Comments