The Failures of Human-Centered Design in Transit

The renowned German architect Diébédo Francis Kéré once said, “Architecture is meant to serve people.” This vision connects directly to the concept of Human-Centred Design (HCD), which emphasises designing with people at the core. HCD’s core idea is to place humans at the heart of the design process, creating spaces that prioritise their needs and well-being by incorporating methods like user-focused research, flexibility, and cognitive and perceptual considerations. 

Although this approach proves good for buildings of a particular scale with a defined set of user groups, it often falls short in addressing the intricate complexities of urban environments. The following write-up takes you through the limitations of the HCD approach in urban design by looking into several crucial factors

Lack of Foundational framework

Cities are complex ecosystems where social, economic, and environmental factors are intricately interconnected with each other. This complexity demands a holistic framework to guide design decisions. While the primary aim of Human-Centred Design (HCD) is to enhance user experiences through methods such as surveys, interviews, and community engagement, this focus can sometimes lead to solutions that address only a specific set of needs for individuals without considering the broader urban context. Such a fragmented approach highlights the lack of a foundational framework to handle the complexities of urban systems.  Without this support, HCD risks creating solutions that meet localised demands but fail to contribute to or align with broader urban goals. 

For instance, the industrial sites in China that were originally built during the city’s industrial bloom soon became obsolete due to urbanisation. Hence, a majority of these sites were repurposed to fit into the current context of increased demand for residential, commercial, and cultural hubs. Hence the HCD approach was chosen to cater to the needs of the people. While these designs prioritised universal design aesthetics and commercial objectives the urban fabric was criticised by many as a “placeless” outcome because it overlooked local heritage and missed establishing a meaningful dialogue with the urban landscape. This disconnect reinstates the importance of defining a holistic HCD framework that transcends beyond individual needs to incorporate cultural, historical, and ecological dimensions that are essential for creating cohesive urban environments.

Overemphasis on Technological solutions

IoT-connected infrastructures, interactive urban furniture, app-based access to facilities are a few of the commonly used technological solutions in Human-Centred Design to enhance user experience on a city-wide scale. Even though these technologies facilitate human movement in an urban space, they also risk overshadowing subtle human interactions that create meaningful public realms. This overemphasis on technological solutions can accidentally discourage casual social life that reflects the essence of community. 

Consider the example of a smart city like Songdo, South Korea that implemented advanced surveillance, automation, and data-driven services to enhance efficiency for its citizens. The city’s infrastructure manages everything from temperature to traffic but faced criticism for overuse of technology. The spaces were claimed to be sterile and impersonal, lacking organic social interaction. Prioritising a tech-driven infrastructure over a community-driven design can result in a city that lacks traditional cultural rhythms. Balancing technological innovation with local identity is crucial in creating urban spaces in a city that meet deeper human needs.

Gentrification

A significant limitation in Human-Centred Design (HCD) is gentrification. The focus on enhancing user experience inadvertently results in designing spaces that are affordable only to the wealthier lot by completely replacing the original inhabitants. The aim to address the use of the end user results in failing to acknowledge the diverse socio-economic fabric of the urban area. New York’s High Line, a popular public park that opened in 2009, is a classic example of eco-gentrification. Transformation of the neighbourhood post adaptive reuse of the historic rail line led to increased rent and living costs by 35%. The HCD approach has led to designs that displace communities instead of empowering them.

Design Trade-Offs and Wicked Problems

Focusing on creating better experiences for users may be challenging because of the conflicting needs of different groups. They are complex issues with no straightforward solutions involving difficult design trade-offs – Wicked problems. This challenge is especially clear in urban design, where social, economic, and environmental goals may conflict with each other. For instance, the aim to design affordable housing for residents is hard to balance with other goals of HCD like environmental protection. If buildings are kept low to reduce carbon footprints, fewer units are available, making it harder to meet housing demands. HCD’s potential can be limited when addressing wicked problems because finding solutions requires balancing competing priorities that go beyond individual user needs.

By strategically engaging all stakeholders, implementing suitable measures, and tailoring policies that benefit a diverse array of users HCD can foster inclusive urban development. When San Francisco underwent significant challenges in providing affordable housing, a shift in policy by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) by directing affordable housing to jobs-rich areas, helped in improving the balance of housing and employment by 104%. These efforts illustrate that with thoughtful planning and collaboration, HCD can effectively address the intricate needs of urban communities while fostering sustainable development.

Citations for Websites:

1. Ronika Postaria (2022). Human-centred public spaces – citiesforum.org Public Realm. [online] citiesforum.org. Available at: https://www.citiesforum.org/news/human-centred-public-spaces/. [Accessed 01.11.2024]

Citations for Journals:

1. Guo, F.B., Roberts, E., Zhan, X. and Johnston, K. (2021). Consideration of human centred emotional design and cultural strategy in urban regeneration in China. Journal of Urban Design, pp.1–17. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/13574809.2021.1921569. [Accessed 01.11.2024]
2. Choi, S.B. and Lim, M.S. (2016). Effects of social and technology overload on psychological well-being in young South Korean adults: The mediatory role of social network service addiction. Computers in Human Behavior, 61, pp.245–254. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.03.032. [Accessed 02.11.2024]
3. Jo Black, K. and Richards, M. (2020). Eco-gentrification and who benefits from urban green amenities: NYC’s high Line. Landscape and Urban Planning, 204(103900), p.103900. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2020.103900. [Accessed 02.11.2024]
4. Palm, M., & Niemeier, D., 2017. Achieving Regional Housing Planning Objectives: Directing Affordable Housing to Jobs-Rich Neighbourhoods in the San Francisco Bay Area. Journal of the American Planning Association, 83, pp. 377 – 388. https://doi.org/10.1080/01944363.2017.1368410. [Accessed 02.11.2024]