People first design | Jeff Risom | TEDxWBG

Summary

This video explores how urban design shapes behavior and decision-making in cities, highlighting examples from Chennai, India, New York City, and Mar del Plata, Argentina. It discusses how poorly designed spaces limit social interaction and hinder people's lives, while thoughtful design can foster vibrant, communal spaces. The speaker emphasizes a people-first approach, advocating for participatory urban planning that involves citizens in the design process. The goal is to create spaces that support community engagement, boost local creativity, and improve governance, ultimately contributing to a better quality of life and potential for positive societal change.

Takeaways

• 😀 The design of cities profoundly influences people's behavior and decisions, such as how they choose where to walk or spend time.
• 😀 The example of a family having a picnic on the street in Chennai shows how culture, social norms, and design can shape people's choices.
• 😀 Poor urban planning and the lack of proper pedestrian infrastructure often lead to informal and disorganized spaces, affecting how people use the city.
• 😀 Globalization and urbanization sometimes lead to development that doesn't account for people's needs or how they will interact with the space.
• 😀 Architectural ethnography is a method used to observe and document how people interact with their environment, helping design spaces that better serve their needs.
• 😀 The transformation of Times Square in New York City demonstrates how reclaiming underused road spaces can enhance public spaces and traffic flow simultaneously.
• 😀 By creating public spaces that invite people to linger, cities can foster social interactions and local creativity, benefiting both individuals and communities.
• 😀 Temporary pilot projects, like those used in Mar del Plata, Argentina, provide valuable data on how public spaces are used and can guide future improvements.
• 😀 Public feedback, even through social media criticism, can be used to refine and improve city designs, leading to better outcomes for everyone involved.
• 😀 In Mar del Plata, involving local stakeholders in decision-making ensured a 90% approval rate for design changes, showing how ownership of the project can reduce opposition.
• 😀 'People-first design' emphasizes putting the needs of individuals and communities at the center of urban development decisions, creating a more inclusive and functional city environment.

Q & A

How does the design of a city influence people's behavior and decisions?

The design of a city can encourage or discourage specific behaviors. For example, streets designed to invite people to linger and interact can lead to social gathering, while poorly designed spaces might discourage interaction, pushing people away or creating unsafe environments.

What role does culture and social norms play in how people interact with urban spaces?

Culture and social norms deeply influence how people perceive and use urban spaces. For instance, certain cultural practices might encourage people to picnic on the street or in public spaces rather than inside parks or designated areas.

Why is architectural ethnography important in designing cities?

Architectural ethnography is crucial because it helps understand the real needs and behaviors of people using urban spaces. It focuses on observing how people interact with their environment and incorporates their preferences into design, making urban spaces more functional and user-friendly.

How can the design of public spaces impact local markets and street life?

The design of public spaces can either support or hinder local markets and street life. A poorly designed market or public space may result in disorganization and inefficiency, while thoughtful design can encourage organic market growth, social interactions, and community engagement.

What happened with the multi-story market built outside of Chennai?

The multi-story market was poorly received by shop owners and vendors, who preferred to sell on the ground floor where customers could easily see and interact with them. The upper floors were underutilized, illustrating the disconnect between design and the actual needs of the market.

How did the Bloomberg Administration use architectural ethnography in New York City?

The Bloomberg Administration used architectural ethnography to study how people used city streets. The findings led to the redesign of public spaces, such as Times Square, turning underutilized areas into vibrant public spaces that encouraged social interaction and improved traffic flow.

What was the impact of reclaiming underperforming streetscapes in New York?

Reclaiming underperforming streetscapes in New York resulted in significant improvements. Public spaces were expanded, traffic flow was enhanced, and areas like Times Square transformed into vibrant hubs of activity. The redesign also benefited businesses by increasing foot traffic.

What lessons were learned from the pilot project in Mar del Plata, Argentina?

The pilot project in Mar del Plata showed the importance of citizen feedback in urban design. While some people initially criticized the changes, further engagement revealed that the project was successful in increasing pedestrian activity and creating more inclusive spaces for people of all backgrounds.

How did the feedback loop between citizens and decision-makers work in Mar del Plata?

The feedback loop allowed citizens to express their opinions and concerns about the changes in urban space. This dialogue, based on real data from pilot projects, led to improved designs that better met the needs of the community, fostering trust between citizens and city officials.

Why is 'people first design' a valuable approach in urban planning?

'People first design' prioritizes the needs and behaviors of people in the decision-making process, ensuring that urban spaces are functional, inclusive, and sustainable. This approach can improve social interaction, governance, and the overall quality of life in cities.