Experiential evaluation as a way to talk about livability in a neighborhood in transformation

Abstract

In order to preserve the open space in a suburbanized region as Flanders (Belgium), densification is one of the ways to go. But densification means that the existing living environment transforms and has an influence on the livability. This can lead to resistance by the inhabitants: they want to keep the idea of livability in their neighborhood. In the case of the Heilig-Hart neighborhood, we use the method of experiential evaluation to open up the debate on livability in a transformative neighborhood. Hereby, we bring aspects of formal evaluation and joint fact-finding in a participatory action research. At the end of the paper we discuss the first observations of the enrolment of this method so far: the definition of values, its experiential quality via a test set-up and its resulting tradeoffs, its enhancement of communication between city policy and inhabitants by providing a common language and the skills that have been made visible and are developed throughout the process.