Lenoir-Rhyne to spotlight ‘wicked problems’ in Asheville

Press release from Lenoir-Rhyne University:

Wicked problems are social or cultural issues that are difficult or impossible to solve for a variety of reasons. They include challenges, such as poverty, homelessness, flooding, urban renewal, mental health, hunger, gentrification, and the list goes on. In addition, each community adds a layer of complexity due to cultural norms in that area. This makes it almost impossible to frame the challenge – an essential ingredient to problem-solving. According to Jon Kolko, Founder and Director of Austin Center for Design, researcher Horst Rittel claims there are several characteristics of these types of problems:

  • Wicked problems have no definitive formulation.
  • Solutions to wicked problems can only be addressed to improve a situation rather than solve it.
  • There is no template to follow; Teams make things up as they go along.
  • There is always more than one explanation for a wicked problem; it depends on perspective.
  • Every wicked problem is a symptom of another problem; they are interconnected.
  • There are no “one shot” solutions.

For the next two weeks, Lenoir-Rhyne University in Asheville is spotlighting wicked problems in the Asheville community. We want to start a conversation on making our community more resilient in the face of these pressing social and environmental challenges.

We start on Feb. 13 from 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. with Grounds for Thought, a coffee to discuss how you and/or your organization will “make a difference” in the Asheville community for the week.

On Feb. 15 from noon to 1:00 p.m., we are hosting In-noon-vation, a brownbag lunch to explore and exchange ideas regarding wicked problems in the Asheville community.

Check out our wicked problem room display at the LRXchange at Lenoir-Rhyne University’s Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville, 36 Montford Avenue, 2nd floor. Let’s join together and “give voice” on wicked problems.

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One thought on “Lenoir-Rhyne to spotlight ‘wicked problems’ in Asheville

  1. Potts

    Difficulty is Irrelevant in Light of Possibility. If possible, the solutions may present. Impossibility is most often brought by self-fulfilling prophecy used to indicate virtuous intention: To receive the social perception of activist, without ever actually acting… that time making pity-full excuses, watching netflix, and continuing the social media image campaign could have been used to make the world a better place.
    May I attend this meeting or not – I sincerely hope you sincerely seek solutions, I hope these well considered actions bring benefit to the lives of our community for generations.

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