Check out the episode:

https://youtu.be/rjwi9oNXqvw

You can find the shownotes through this link.

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Are you interested in the different stakeholders of public space?

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Our summary today works with the article titled Participation, co-creation, and public space from 2017 by Marcus Foth, published in The Journal of Public Space.

This is a great preparation to our next interview with Marcus Foth in episode 256 talking about co-creation and community engagement.

Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see what kind of flexibility is required of placemakers and urban interaction designers across the different levels of planning. This article presents granular agile thinking by introducing five possible ways to think about the urban user.

[intro music]

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Welcome to today’s What is The Future For Cities podcast and its Research episode; my name is Fanni, and today I will introduce a research paper by summarising it. The episode really is just a short summary of the original paper, and, in case it is interesting enough, I would encourage everyone to check out the whole paper. Stay tuned until because I will give you the 3 most important things and some questions which would be interesting to discuss.

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[music]

Urban spaces have always been the backdrop to human life, serving as the stage where countless interactions, stories, and innovations unfold. However, the role of people in these spaces has dramatically evolved over time. In the past, city residents were seen largely as passive recipients of whatever the city offered—whether that was public services, infrastructure, or spaces to live and work. Their role was primarily to occupy and utilize the spaces designed for them, with little say in how those spaces were conceived or managed.

As cities grew more complex and the needs of their populations diversified, this passive relationship began to shift. The advent of new technologies and a growing awareness of the importance of inclusive design sparked a transformation in how we view urban spaces and the people within them. No longer just residents, people became consumers of city services, offering valuable insights through their interactions with these services. This led to the realization that those who live and move through the city hold crucial knowledge that can improve how cities function. This article goes through this evolution, exploring how people have transitioned from being mere occupants of urban spaces to active participants and, eventually, co-creators of the cities they inhabit. By understanding this progression, we can better appreciate the power of participation and collaboration in creating cities that truly reflect the needs, desires, and dreams of their inhabitants.

City residents form the foundation of any urban environment. They are the people who navigate, interact with, and experience the city daily. As technology has advanced, so has our understanding of the resident’s role within the city. Historically, residents were seen as mere inhabitants who used the city’s infrastructure without much input. However, with the rise of urban interaction design, residents are now recognized as essential contributors to the urban fabric, whose daily experiences and movements through the city offer valuable insights into how urban spaces can be better designed and managed.

Beyond being residents, city dwellers also act as consumers of the various services a city provides, such as public transport and utilities. This consumer role brings a new dimension to the urban experience, where people expect efficiency, convenience, and responsiveness from city services. Interaction designers must balance these expectations while considering the broader social and cultural nuances that influence how people use these services. Understanding the consumer’s needs allows cities to enhance service delivery, making urban life smoother and more satisfying for everyone.

Participation takes the engagement of city dwellers a step further. Instead of merely using the city’s services, participants actively contribute to shaping those services and the urban environment. This could be through community consultations, feedback mechanisms, or direct involvement in urban planning initiatives. The shift toward participatory design reflects a growing recognition that the people who use and live in urban spaces should have a say in how those spaces are developed and maintained. It’s a move towards more democratic and inclusive city making, where diverse voices and perspectives are considered in the decision-making process.

The role of co-creators marks a significant evolution in how we interact with our cities. As co-creators, residents don’t just provide feedback—they actively participate in the design and creation of urban spaces. This collaborative approach to city making fosters innovation and ensures that the built environment reflects the needs and desires of its inhabitants. Whether through DIY urbanism, citizen-led initiatives, or participatory urbanism, co-creators play a crucial role in shaping cities that are not only functional but also vibrant and responsive to the needs of their communities.

The transformation from passive city residents to active co-creators represents a profound shift in how we engage with our urban environments. This evolution underscores the importance of moving beyond simply living in a city to actively shaping it. This journey from resident to consumer, participant, and ultimately, co-creator, highlights the growing recognition that cities thrive when their people are deeply involved in the processes that define their spaces.

By embracing these roles, individuals can contribute to more responsive, inclusive, and innovative urban spaces. This collaborative approach not only democratizes the process of city making but also ensures that the diverse needs and aspirations of all residents are reflected in the built environment. The challenge will be to sustain and expand this participatory spirit, fostering a culture where everyone feels empowered to contribute to the creation of vibrant, resilient, and adaptable cities. This shift from passive occupancy to active co-creation is key to realizing the full potential of our cities, ensuring they remain dynamic, sustainable, and reflective of the rich tapestry of human life within them.

[music]

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What was the most interesting part for you? What questions did arise for you? Do you have any follow up question? Let me know on Twitter at WTF4Cities or on the wtf4cities.com website where the transcripts and show notes are available! Additionally, I will highly appreciate if you consider subscribing to the podcast or on the website. I hope this was an interesting paper for you as well, and thanks for tuning in!

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[music]

Finally, as the most important things, I would like to highlight 3 aspects:

1. Urban roles have evolved from passive residents to active co-creators of city spaces.
2. Participation and co-creation are crucial for creating inclusive and responsive urban environments.
3. A transdisciplinary, agile approach is essential for effective urban design, embracing both human and non-human elements.

Additionally, it would be great to talk about the following questions:

1. How can urban design better reflect the diverse needs and voices of all city dwellers?
2. How might cities change if we started to design them with non-human inhabitants in mind?
3. How do you see your role in shaping the future of your city—are you just a resident, or could you be a co-creator?

[outro music]

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