Resiliencemake

Resiliencemake is an interdisciplinary approach that combines resilience theory with maker culture and participatory design to create systems, communities, and individuals capable of absorbing shocks and adapting to change through iterative making and collaborative problem solving.

The concept emerged in the 2010s as researchers and community practitioners explored how do-it-yourself construction, open hardware and software, and inclusive planning could contribute to resilience. Resiliencemake emphasizes proactive testing, learning from failure, and rapid prototyping as core practices.

Core principles include modularity and redundancy to withstand disruptions, adaptability to evolving conditions, inclusivity and transparency in process, and a commitment to continuous learning. Co-creation with affected communities, documentation of decisions, and leveraging accessible tools are central to the approach.

Practices and methods commonly used in resiliencemake include design sprints, community workshops, open-source projects, resilience audits, scenario planning, and fault and stress testing of systems. Outputs may consist of physical prototypes, toolkits, guidelines, and knowledge repositories that can be shared for broader benefit.

Applications span urban and community resilience planning, disaster preparedness, education and workforce development, small-scale manufacturing and supply chains, digital infrastructure resilience, and organizational risk management. The approach is often used to bridge gaps between technical experts and residents, enabling locally appropriate solutions.

Critiques of resiliencemake address concerns about measurement standards, potential overuse as a buzzword, and risk of uneven access to tools and training. Proponents stress the need for clear evaluation criteria, inclusive participation, and ongoing critical reflection to prevent technocratic biases.

See also: resilience, resilience engineering, maker culture, participatory design, open hardware, community resilience.