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The Theory of Change approach aims to clarify the underlying logic of an intervention by first identifying the problem addressed and the desired outcome, and then backwards mapping the actions taken and the expected results and outcomes. In so doing, it aims to simplify the expression of intermediate goals and indicators and provide a common reference for the participants and stakeholders of the intervention itself. As such, it is similar to corporate ‘mission statements’ in that it aims to provide a single, unifying description of the what, why and how of an intervention. By framing the approach in terms of the ‘change’ required as a means of addressing a problem, Theory of Change is essentially a tool to frame innovation processes. Indeed, one of the goals of Theory of Change is to identify the mechanisms linking actions to results and outcomes, which in turn can be linked to different dimensions of innovation processes, from the technological to the social and behavioural. In this regard, Theory of Change serves as a tool to support the governance of innovation processes, aiding stakeholders in finding a common ground for consensus. This however opens up a possible issue in applying Theory of Change: does the simplified model accurately reflect the various standpoints of stakeholders and the multiple dimensions of the innovation involved? Indeed, since Theory of Change is often defined and developed by ‘external’ stakeholders – often in the context of process evaluation – there is the risk that participants may not fully understand the concept despite the apparent simplicity of the approach. This may lead to relatively passive participation in the initial definition of the Theory of Change, with the hidden presence of ‘alternative’ theories that struggle to gain legitimacy. This chapter explores an attempt to embrace that risk as an opportunity, in an effort to support the emergence of different Theories of Change so that stakeholders can transparently confront their different hypotheses and worldviews. The resolution of these differences was a question of the broader governance dynamic within different stakeholder communities rather than an exercise of ‘cleaning up’ the Theory of Change itself. The occasion to test this approach was provided by an EU-funded project – MUV: Mobility Urban Values – that involved experimenting with a game-based approach towards changing mobility behaviours in six European pilot contexts.

In the last few years, the debate among designers and sustainability experts has brought attention to many different behavioural change approaches and techniques and particularly on “gamification” processes able to better motivate and engage students or even nudge people (consumers) to more environmentally and socially responsible habits (Mousumi, 2021).But since 2011, most of the contradictions about “gamifying” boring or unpleasant experiences have been loudly shared by game designers and thinkers worldwide (Bogost, 2014). It seems that the goal of changing people’s unsustainable behaviours can be achieved by designing brand new sustainable experiences instead of gamifying the unsustainable ones (Yusoff and Kamsin, 2015).This change of perspective represents the foundation of applied games, and it has been deeply studied during the applied research MUV2020 (723521 – muv2020.eu), led by the PUSH design laboratory within the Horizon2020 framework in the field of sustainable urban mobility (Di Dio et al., 2020).From June 2017 to August 2018, the research consortium has run extensive user research across Europe and developed a mobile app game based on the main gain mechanic of recording personal urban travels and a game narrative of sport.From September 2018 to February 2020, the consortium had run several tests in more than 20 cities to study the value of different interactions in terms of engagement and sustainability impact.After the COVID-19 outbreak, further experiments have been carried out by the research project spin-off’s MUV Benefit Corporation (muvgame.com). Thanks to more than 16.000 downloads, 500.000 kilometres recorded, and the CO2 reduction algorithm (validated in April 2020 according to ISO 14064-2), this contribution shows how various game dynamics nudged, with a different rate of efficacy, MUV’s players commuting behaviours.This contribution will extensively deepen applied and persuasive games, MUV App user research and game design, actual field data analysis on engagement rate and sustainable impacts.

Social science and new communication technologies are deeply influencing the transportation domain and new models of urban sustainable development are constantly emerging as new possible solutions. One of the principal reasons is the capability to reach the motivations that foster us to choose one or another urban transportation systems. It is already feasible to develop solutions to implement and root more efficient and sustainable habits in urban transportation. The present exploratory chapter presents the activities conducted by innovation lab PUSH, with the Italian Ministry of Innovation and Research, for the development and the application of the social innovation project “TrafficO2” in the city of Palermo, Italy. The project is a technology driven (mobile app) serious game for sustainable urban mobility that tries to foster citizens, through information and tailor-made incentives, to choose low emission means instead of using cars. The aim of the game is to build up a strong and values-driven self-organized community, able to change the actual urban condition without any command and control policies or any structural change. The system has already been tested with the community of students of Palermo University. This chapter shows the results in terms of CO2 reduction and testers engagement.

Urban areas can be considered the ground for the challenges related to the UN&rsquo, s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The objective of shaping cities as human settlement that will see a more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable future is often argued in literature as an issue dependent on behavioral change of inhabitants in urban areas. In this paper, the authors question if experimental applications based on gamification can co-produce more sustainable neighborhoods through an impact evaluation method that departs from individual choices within the complex of urban mobility. This investigation is carried out within MUV (Mobility Urban Values), an EU research and innovation project, which aims to trigger more sustainable urban mobility in six pilot cities. This article describes the critical method of validation, an impact assessment of the MUV experimental gamification in the pilot cities, in order to represent a proof for future urban strategies. This methodological approach is based on an evaluation structured on indicators of both impact and process suitable for urban contexts. As based on six pilot cities, with possibilities for transferability to other contexts and scalability to other cities, the method represents a reference work for the evaluation of similar experimental applications.

ADI Design Index è la selezione annuale del miglior design italiano ed è parte integrante del sistema di selezione del Premio Compasso d’Oro ADI: ogni anno, grazie all’Osservatorio Permanente del Design ADI – un gruppo di lavoro costituito da oltre cento esperti, anche esterni all’associazione – prende in esame su tutto il territorio italiano il design dei nuovi prodotti messi in produzione. Dopo una strutturata selezione (commissioni territoriali, tematiche e comitato di selezione finale), i migliori prodotti di design vengono presentati, con un commento critico che evidenzia i motivi della scelta, su ADI Design Index. I volumi diventano la base su cui lavora la giuria internazionale del Compasso d’Oro: solo i prodotti pubblicati su ADI Design Index partecipano alla selezione finale del Premio.

This chapter presents the social innovation project “TrafficO2”, a support system for decision-making in the field of transportation that tries to push commuters towards more sustainable mobility by providing concrete incentives for each responsible choice. After focusing on Palermo, Italy, the context of this case study, this chapter provides a detailed description of the TrafficO2 model. Specifically, the chapter deals with the analysis of a selected sample of users among Palermo University students who commute daily to their respective University departments on campus. Starting from the modal split of the actual situation (Status Quo scenario), another behavior scenario (Do your right mix) is designed and promoted to encourage users to create a better mix of existing mobility means and reduce the use of private vehicles powered by combustibles. The first test that was performed confirmed the reliability of the initiative.

Cities are currently engaged through their urban policies in pushing people towards less environmentally impacting mobility modalities: therefore, cycling and walking are strongly promoted, especially by means of new and wider limited traffic and no-cars zones. In this paper, the effectiveness of the new smartphones and apps-based technologies in modifying the mobility behaviors of citizens towards more sustainable choices has been investigated. Specifically, the potential of a smartphone app, directly involving citizens by means of a game rewarding the most sustainable trips, has been tested on a university commuters' group. These latter, starting from their current mobility situation, were challenged by an enhanced scenario characterized by more restrictive and sustainable targets. Promising results have been obtained suggesting that game–based tools could be effectively used as urban policy interventions intended to obtain a more sustainable mobility., Sweet mobility; Commuters; Smartphone; Game-based app; Air quality; Climate change; Climate policy; Environmental analysis; Environmental pollution; Urban energy consumption; Environmental science; Information science