Problem Seeking and Problem Solving in Rural Design Process

The design process proceeds spatial formation and embraces retrofitting, revitalization, preservation, degree of life, and prosperity. Designers strive to create novel good-looking forms compatible with the environment considering human being, culture of the society, norms, behaviors, and characteristics of each community and ethnicity. The design problematics in rural fabric starts to complicate when traditional forms and designerly novelty are both equally significant. In many cases, there is a gap between already existing environment and the rather new expectations of individuals and groups residing in these rural fabrics. This problem can be considered as a specific problem to be addressed by decision-makers.
The initiation of the problem-solving design process requires appropriate understanding of design problem by the designer. When the problem is well defined and the data gathering method is clear, finding a solution is straightforward. However as the information about the problem becomes more extensive, shortcomings in knowledge will surface. Rural design problems are environmentally wicked and the design process requires a relevant understanding of design problematics by the designer. However, in real design circumstances, however, not all design problems are initially well defined and is very unlikely for all the factors influencing the design to be clarified and analyzed at the beginning of the design process.
In Rural design process, problems surface as studies focus on partial solutions to resolve specific issues. Conventional designerly problem seeking and solving, focuses on very specific issues in an analytic reductionist manner. This rarely leads to appropriate identification of the factors affecting design and analysis of the issues relevant to the rural design decision making. In addition, the result of partial solutions on other design issues is often neglected. It appears that this issue is rooted in lack of awareness and insufficient knowledge of problem seeking and problem solving in the design process by design practitioners.
The present research sets out to investigate the nature of problems challenging designers during the design process and their various properties. In addition, factors modifying the relationship between design problems and solutions are further sought. The main attempt was to descriptively and analytically ways to better identify problems and problem-solving based on the literature review in the context of rural fabric design. Considering the fact that design problems often involve intricate, complicated and irregular structures, the present research focuses on three types of design problems: the well-defined or well-structured, the ill-defined or ill-structured, and the wicked. Some design problems are vaguely-defined type, which can be explored using the spirit of the time and a creative approach.
The results of the present research show that recognizing all issues facing rural design does not necessarily lead to an ideal design but it is necessary for an optimal design. Furthermore, the results also suggest that problem-focused and solution-focused orientations are not totally independent but rather are coevolving processes. Therefore, proposing a solution for specific problems modifies the understanding of other problems involved in the design process. This makes it necessary for problems to be reevaluated at every problem-solving cycle particularly designing in a rural fabric.