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Transition Design Conference July 8–11 2026 in Mexico City
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HUMETAV Project

Composite image showing screenshot of project presentation on a Zoom meeting, and a write-up of the project work in a Medium post
image of the Museum of Natural Science in Guadalajara, Mexico; detail of a Miro board and zoom call for the Humetav online workshop
Composite image showing project write-up on the website of Universidad de Guadalajara; along with announcment of project office hours with Terry Irwin, Gideon Kossof, and Eduardo Santana Castellón, HUMETAV project

TDI partnered with two local universities and the Museum of Environmental Sciences to address wicked problems in Guadalajara, Mexico.

The HUMETAV project, a collaboration between the Tecnológico de Monterrey, the University of Guadalajara, and the Museum of Environmental Sciences, brought together stakeholder teams to analyze a range of wicked problems facing the city of Guadalajara, Mexico. These teams, composed of participants from academic institutions, the creative industry, and local government, would later develop funding proposals aimed at implementing systemic solutions. The Transition Design Institute facilitated an online research workshop, where participants worked collaboratively to explore socio-ecological challenges using a systemic approach.

Research Approach and Workshops

The workshop introduced participants to the Transition Design approach and guided them through a structured process for mapping the complex problems and identifying optimum points for intervention. By applying its five steps, participants developed a systemic understanding of the wicked problem, ensuring their proposals were grounded in a holistic understanding. The research process integrated stakeholder analysis, long-term visioning, and mapping of interconnected issues. This approach helped teams refine their proposals by considering how multiple factors—historical, political, economic, and environmental—interact to shape complex problems.

Outcomes and Impact

The findings generated through this process directly informed funding proposals aimed at implementing solutions in the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area. The workshop demonstrated how Transition Design research can serve a dual purpose—helping participants gain a deeper understanding of systemic challenges while equipping them with tools to design more strategic, well-informed funding proposals. By embedding systems thinking into the proposal development process, participants were able to articulate long-term visions, identify leverage points for change, and propose interventions that addressed root causes rather than just symptoms. Beyond producing actionable research, the experience fostered collaboration across disciplines and provided participants with practical tools for designing and implementing solutions to complex socio-ecological challenges.