We are delighted to share a new publication by Dr. Boram Kimhur (Institute for Inclusive Urban Development) and Dr. Céline Janssen (Delft University of Technology):

Designing for Values

: How the Capability Approach Can Help

By Boram Kimhur and Céline Janssen

How can we design technologies, systems, and environments that genuinely promote justice, inclusion, and human well-being? And how can the Capability Approach help us do that?

This accessible and thought-provoking booklet offers a practical introduction to using the Capability Approach (CA) in design-oriented research. Aimed at scholars, educators, and students—particularly those working in fields such as technology, built environment, social innovation, and policy—it explores how the CA can support critical reflection and guide decisions in the design process.

Rather than prescribing a one-size-fits-all method, the authors share multiple pathways for applying the CA to real-world problems, from evaluating existing systems to shaping agendas, generating solutions, and designing processes. Illustrated with concrete examples across disciplines, this guide supports readers in developing their own approaches to designing for values.

The booklet is the result of several years of collaboration and reflection, informed by workshops, international dialogue, and supported by the Delft Design for Values seed fund.

Download the booklet here