Slide 1
Co-Production Approach in Tataouine
Period: 21–27 December 2024
Location: Tataouine, Tunisia
Watch Video
WHEN
Dec 21 - 27, 2024
WHERE
Tataouine, Tunisia
VENUE
Local Partners
Slide 1
As part of an ongoing research project on urban resilience and water systems, a co-productive workshop was held in Tataouine to operationalise a methodology grounded in collaboration, inclusivity, and iterative knowledge generation. The workshop served as both a methodological space and a research process, designed to bridge formal academic inquiry with vernacular knowledge and community engagement.
The central aim was to investigate how co-production methodologies can foster situated, creative, and actionable understandings of water-related challenges in semi-arid urban contexts. Over seven days, researchers, local stakeholders, artists, youth, and NGO representatives engaged across six thematic axes, each offering a different entry point to the co-productive process.
WHEN
Dec 21 - 27, 2024
WHERE
Tataouine, Tunisia
VENUE
Local Partners
Slide 1
Objectives and Research Integration
The workshop was conceived as an embedded field-based component of the broader Tataouine research programme. It aimed to:

1
Reframe dominant narratives of water scarcity by integrating formal and vernacular water systems;

2
Foster mutual learning across disciplines, sectors, and generations;

3
Experiment with creative methodologies including storytelling, 3D modelling, and live radio engagement;

4
Document processes and outcomes to inform both academic dissemination and local use.

WHEN
Dec 21 - 27, 2024
WHERE
Tataouine, Tunisia
VENUE
Local Partners
Slide 1
Methodological Framework: Six Axes of Co-Production
The co-production approach was structured around six thematic axes.(Click Zoom to see the image )
WHEN
Dec 21 - 27, 2024
WHERE
Tataouine, Tunisia
VENUE
Local Partners
Slide 1
Ax.1
The Section – Vernacular Vs Formal

Development of a participatory socio-hydrological urban transect visualisation of the interrelation between vernacular water practices, formal systems, and ecological features.

Ax.2
Bridging Knowledge and Voices – Radio Engagement

A series of radio sessions co-produced with Radio Tataouine to translate research insights and amplify local voices in public space.

Ax.3
Insight Talks – Collaborative Dialogue

Short-format talks bringing together local experts, researchers, and youth to generate cross-sectoral dialogue and open reflection.

Ax.4
Narratopias – Scenario Development

Future-oriented narrative exercises exploring speculative urban transformations based on field investigation, community input, and ecological realities.

Ax.5
Echoes of Water – Storytelling and Artistic Expression

A space for youth and artists to document personal experiences with water through creative media, oral histories, and reflective storytelling.

Ax.6
Interactive Exhibition & Unconference – Public Engagement

A curated event showcasing all outputs, encouraging public participation and feedback through interactive elements such as podcast booths and reflective walls.

Slide 1
Visit and itinerary
As part of the workshop itinerary, participants undertook site visits to key locations across Tataouine, including vernacular and formal water systems, urban infrastructure, and ecologically significant areas.
Encounter with local residents, stakeholders
Slide 1
Micro-Trottoir & Radio
The Radio Axis combined formal broadcasts with radio trottoir (street interviews) to engage diverse publics and amplify community voices. Through a partnership with Radio Tataouine, the initiative translated research themes into accessible dialogues, blending studio-based discussions with on-the-ground interviews to foster inclusive, participatory knowledge exchange.
Slide 1
City Fresk as a Tool for Collaborative Knowledge Building
A four-hour session of the Fresque de la Ville was hosted at the Municipality of Tataouine, using a custom set of cards based on collected data and literature review. This interactive exercise enabled knowledge sharing, cross-verification of findings, and deeper insight into the city’s urban dynamics through a collaborative and engaging format.
Click here: Digital Edition of one Co-Produced Map
Slide 1
Coproduced Public Event

The participatory public event was framed as an interactive and co-produced exhibition. Curated collectively over 24 hours, the exhibition brought together artistic outputs, creative urban scenarios, and research-based materials developed throughout the workshop. Designed as an open space for dialogue, it invited visitors to engage with the content through interactive elements, a debate session, and a video screening. The event concluded with a shared dinner, fostering informal exchanges and reinforcing the exhibition’s role as both a knowledge-sharing platform and a collective social experience.

Slide 1
Operationalising CoProduction: Principles and Practices
Throughout the workshop, the research team adhered to the following principles:

Collaborative Design: Objectives and outputs were defined with partners and participants through iterative coordination meetings.

Shared Ownership: Community contributions were visibly credited and integrated into outputs.

Creative Experimentation: Visual and narrative methods were used to transcend disciplinary boundaries and promote accessibility.

Ethical Practice: Emphasis was placed on transparency, cultural sensitivity, and minimizing extractive research.

WHEN
Dec 21 - 27, 2024
WHERE
Tataouine, Tunisia
VENUE
Local Partners
Slide 1
Slide 1
Slide 1
Slide 1
Slide 1
Slide 1
Slide 1
Slide 1
Slide 1
Slide 1
previous arrow
next arrow

Home

About the project

The research path

Tataouine's WSM

Voices from the field

Project chronicles

Library

The Centre Régional de Développement Agricole (CRDA) Tataouine- Tunisia

CRDA is a governmental body responsible for promoting agricultural development in the region. It works to improve agricultural productivity, support rural development, and enhance the sustainable management of natural resources to meet the needs of local communities.

CRDA is a governmental body responsible for promoting agricultural development in the region. It works to improve agricultural productivity, support rural development, and enhance the sustainable management of natural resources to meet the needs of local communities.

The Commune de Tataouine serves as the municipal authority for the city of Tataouine, located in the southern part of Tunisia. The municipality is responsible for local governance, urban planning, and the provision of public services to enhance the quality of life for its residents.

SEPJT is dedicated to improving the environmental conditions and greenery of Tataouine. Their work involves various initiatives such as planting trees, maintaining public green spaces, and promoting sustainable gardening practices to combat desertification and enhance the aesthetic appeal of urban areas. Additionally, SEPT is involved in implementing flood protection measures, including the construction and rehabilitation of embankments and dams, to safeguard the city from flood risks and improve resilience against climate challenges.

ADES, established in 2012, focuses on promoting sustainable local development in the Medenine region and the southeastern part of Tunisia. The NGO plays an active role in addressing the challenges of regional development by engaging local communities in participatory governance, implementing numerous projects, organizing workshops and events, and providing valuable resources such as a digital library and educational materials for students and researchers.

 

An NGO based in Tataouine, aims to contribute to the socio-economic development of the region by fostering civic participation among young people. The organization focuses on empowering youth through various initiatives, promoting active involvement in local community development, and encouraging the participation of young people in shaping the region’s future.

 ESAD in Tunisia is a prestigious institution that has been providing high-level training for over 20 years. Accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, ESAD specializes in educating visionary architects, innovative designers, and talented professionals in cinema and audiovisual fields. The institution focuses on inspiring students to push the boundaries of creativity and develop as influential creators in their respective domains, with a strong emphasis on research, hands-on projects, and interdisciplinary learning.

Leeds Social Sciences Institute is a cross-faculty platform which supports interdisciplinary collaboration across the University of Leeds and with external stakeholders. We are dedicated to bringing the varied expertise and methodologies of the social sciences to bear on the complex societal challenges facing the world. 

Œcumene Spaces For Dignity is an international platform dedicated to participatory urban development, social equity, and spatial justice in Africa and the MENA region. It supports communities in reclaiming their rights to the city by fostering inclusive planning, co-design approaches, and collaborative research-action initiatives. The platform promotes innovative strategies that empower communities, enabling local actors to develop sustainable solutions adapted to their unique contexts.