LeNS China:A Chinese learning network on sustainability for the development and diffusion of teaching materials and tools on design for sustainability

Itisasharedopinionthatsustainabledevelopmentrequiresasystemdiscontinuity,meaningthatradicalchangesinthewayweproduceandconsumeareneeded.Withinthisframeworkthereisanemergingunderstandingthatanimportantcontributiontothischangecanbedirectlylinkedtodecisionstakeninthedesignphaseofproducts,servicesandsystems.DesignschoolshavethereforetobeabletoprovidedesignstudentswithabroadknowledgeandeffectiveDesignforSustainabilitytools,inordertoenableanewgenerationofdesignersinplayinganactiveroleinre-orientingourconsumptionandproductionpatterns.ThispaperpresentstheintermediateresultsoftheLeNSChina,theLearningNetworkonSustainabilityofChinesedesignHigherEducationInstitutionsaimingatcurriculadevelopmentonDesignforSustainability.TheprojectisaregenerationoftheLeNSAsian-Europeanmulti-polarnetworkprojectfinancedbytheEuropeanCommission.LeNSChinaistakinginconsiderationthelocalneeds,interestsandopportunitiescouldrepresentasignificantenablingplatformcapabletosensitise,supportandempoweranewgenerationofChinesedesigneducators,designersandentrepreneurstoreachdesignpracticethroughoutanopencollaborativelearningapproach.ThepaperwillfirstlyintroducetheLeNSprojectanditsethos,andthentheLeNSChinanetworkwillbedescribedintermsofthestateoftheartofdesignforsustainabilityanditseducationinChina,thescopeandtheobjective,theresultsachievedsofarandthenextsteps.