The accessibility of public transport is the pre-requisite for sustainable urban development, a sustainable environment and, last but not least, a partial litmus-test for true democracies. YdesignFoundation aims to contribute to a better quality of life for citizens, communities and organizations by good design in its many forms, shades and shapes, be it graphic, 3D and/or interactive.
By means of this research program on the link between the perception of security and design, YdesignFoundation’s objective is to contribute to the design of more positive context and surroundings, of improved management and infrastructure of public transport space, in other words, design that humanizes public space and invites passengers, passers-by and staff of public transport stations and public space to come and use it more frequently.
To be sure perceived insecurity and/or fear of crime incite us to deploy tactics and specific behavior to defend ourselves, our loved-ones and our belongings. They induce us to create a virtual private space around ourselves. In some cases, they become so predominant that we feel forced to have a preference for individual transport. Our emotions speed up the pace to differing extents and extremes. Depending on our capacity to understand the context and react to it, we proceed with ease to our destination.
Given these emotional triggers and the complex behavioral patterns they generate, perceived insecurity and/or fear of crime require examination from a human-scientific angle. For exactly that reason, the research team has been composed of experts in several, relevant disciplines. Their findings will help us understand why we circle in bee-lines, use our mobile phones, put our bag on the seat next to us while waiting, look straight ahead and nowhere else, or read the papers, suggests a need for control, reassurance and protection. The next question, how to meet that behaviour and how waiting and transit areas can be better conceived, designed and managed in order to make the tram, bus and metro-stations more than a non-lieu and the ride an enjoyable experience is what we aim to find answers to.
