Empathetic cities are successful cities
So I watched Urbanized again this weekend, and some interesting points jumped out at me that I hadn’t really thought of the first time I viewed it.
1) Design with, not for.
The importance of ‘citizen participation’ was prevalent throughout the film. In order for design solutions to be effective, they need to directly involve those that must live with the solutions and results. In addition, Designers, Planners, and Architects, need to work harder to eliminate the ego that they bring to the table when designing solutions for others. We are experts in our discipline, but not necessarily in the problem we are trying to solve.
2) Government planning needs to be empathetic to all citizens.
Government officials need to plan effectively for all citizens - not just the wealthy. Self-worth is inherently tied into what is individually available and attainable in many societies, and Brazils’ transit plan is a successful example of policy and design used to increase that self-worth. Which in turn, promotes individual success and happiness. Understanding how transit is linked to self-worth can only be discovered through an empathy driven design and planning approach.
3) Designers need to look beyond themselves.
Designers, as well as architects and planners, need to do some serious soul-searching. As long as we act like politicians - beholden to certain industries and individuals simply because they control our income - we will not have a sustainable future in our field. We need to evolve to become facilitators of social interaction, and aid those who struggle to find a platform to discuss the problems they face.
4) Internal perceptions need to be challenged.
In order for designers to truly build successful, beautiful solutions, our personal assumptions need to be challenged. What we want most, or think is best, may not be the best solution for the people who are dealing with the problem.











