WHAT DO WE KNOW SO FAR?

Human-centered design is critical because the Mayor’s Challenge is not just a problem to solve; it is a community issue that affects real people with different needs, experiences, and hopes for the future. By beginning with strong foundation material, you will better understand the challenge, define the problem clearly, listen for stakeholder voices that may otherwise be missed, and recognize existing community solutions already working toward impact. This helps ensure your ideas are not created in isolation, but are thoughtful, respectful, and designed to build on community wisdom while creating more sustainable and evenhanded outcomes.