The results of  Interaction Design Project with Biotoopia challenge illustrated how Tallinn City could be more sustainable

The Interaction Design Project, which began with the Biotoopia challenge at Tallinn University and was led by professor Merja Bauters, yielded six outcomes, two of which were specifically targeted at Tallinn City. 

One solution introduced how to reduce plastic waste using an awareness raising smart application and the other suggested a map of community gardens and educating people how to grow their own food.  One option offered using a smart application to reduce plastic waste, while the other suggested creating a map of community gardens and training people on how to grow their own food.

One proposal was presented as a philosophic computer game that showed us the life cycle of an eel in a very aesthetic and compassionate way. The final product focused on the tale of a single species and showed why it is critical to understand how the ecological system works and how it is not solely about humans in order to create sustainable futures.

Other interesting findings in the projects included how to use an old material called clay as a new widely used packaging material, how to avoid food leftover problems, raising awareness of purebred animal health problems, and using a card game to help people make better choices when choosing a four-legged friend.

Prof. Merja stated that this was a successful course from the perspective of Tallinn University. All of the teams created a tested prototype, and the majority of the team understood the concept well. From a learning standpoint, we noticed a significant improvement in the team’s self-management skills, as well as reflective and unconventional thinking.

This spring, 20 international students developed the Biotoopia challenge concept of biocracy, in which all living and nonliving beings in the world have equal rights, or investigated Estonian “circular lifestyle practices” that could be integrated into modern society. They presented their ideas on a webpage/mobile app or other format at the end of the course. The course also included learning project management skills presented by Pipedrive, Citizen OS, Innotiimi i-Klubi / Innovation unit created by 4 ministries, and also with Tridinad Wiseman, Finnish Kide Science.

The concept of Biotoopia is simple: biology refers to life itself, and utopia is something that no one expects to happen. So Biotoopia is a collection of current activities/thought patterns that will result in a vibrant future for all of us. Every person has their own Biotoopia, a personal challenge to improve upon today’s living conditions in order to make the future a better place for all living things. The Biotoopia community has sprung up around these new ways of thinking and living patterns, inviting everyone to join in spreading the word and bringing utopian solutions to life. Visit www.biotoopia.ee  to learn more about Biotoopia.