Informations et ressources scientifiques
sur le développement des zones arides et semi-arides

Titre : Nairobi reads — Designing for an increased awareness of the power of books and reading for adults in Nairobi

Auteur : Gottschalk, Sara

Université de soutenance : Aalto University

Grade : Master of Arts (MA) Collaborative and Industrial Design 2019

Résumé partiel
The promotion of reading books has been a global concern for many decades. Scientific evidence has identified a strong positive connection between reading books and a person’s development and success in life. While this thesis looks specifically at the case of Nairobi, Kenya, people everywhere in the world could generally benefit from a more dedicated practice of reading.

In the present research, the relationships of younger adult Nairobians to reading and books, as well as the reading culture of Nairobi, are studied through a human-centric design perspective. Through a research and design phase, this thesis aims to explore how design practice can identify and implement opportunities for positive reading interventions that have the potential to support younger adults in (re-)discovering meaning, value, and joy in reading books. Another key aim of this thesis is to test design research in a context like Nairobi. Key challenges of this research context are related to reading practices in Nairobi being deeply ingrained in its local culture and history, as well as a prevailing highly informal society. Moreover, the concept of design is relatively underelaborated in public discourse in Nairobi (in contrast, for example, to Finland).

The thesis research questions are investigated through primary ethnographic, constructive and disruptive design research on-site in Nairobi, as well as through extensive secondary research. The focus is to understand the experiences, behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs of research participants in regard to books and reading, as well as the reading culture and system that surrounds, influences and has shaped them. By using interviews, focus group sessions, and field observations, combined with several rounds of secondary research, and a systematic and iterative review of the same, this thesis has attempted to provide a good understanding of Nairobi’s reading culture (as of 2018), and of people’s personal experiences and perceptions of books and reading there.

The primary research insights and findings are summarized in four themes and illustrated with quotes from research participants. The four areas are : a) the status quo of Nairobian reading culture ; b) beliefs, perceptions and attitudes towards books and reading ; c) key influences on reading perceptions and behaviors ; and d) reading behavior and what people read.

Présentation

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