Abstract
Even if cycling is promoted as a new form of urban lifestyle, current car- centric approaches hold this type of mobility under gridlock. This article explores dissonances between visions, planning and execution in urban mobility and proposes a practice-oriented design model based on theories of Shove and Giddens. A model as a combination of mutual influences is developed, reflecting the complexity of urban design problems. The model is applied in a comparative case study on cycling in Freiburg im Breisgau (Germany) and Trondheim (Norway). In Freiburg cycling is of mundane, everyday character, while it carries traits of mere commuting in Trondheim. Applications of the model show strong connections between elements of structure, material, meaning and competence. The model can help planners and designers to grasp urban complexity within systemic relationships, thereby supporting steps towards a practice-oriented design.
Keywords
social practice, cycling, urban structure, design model
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21606/drs.2016.47
Citation
Hofmeister, T., and Keitsch, M. (2016) Framing Complexity in Design through theories of Social Practice and Structuration: A comparative case study of urban cycling, in Lloyd, P. and Bohemia, E. (eds.), Future Focused Thinking - DRS International Conference 2016, 27 - 30 June, Brighton, United Kingdom. https://doi.org/10.21606/drs.2016.47
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Framing Complexity in Design through theories of Social Practice and Structuration: A comparative case study of urban cycling
Even if cycling is promoted as a new form of urban lifestyle, current car- centric approaches hold this type of mobility under gridlock. This article explores dissonances between visions, planning and execution in urban mobility and proposes a practice-oriented design model based on theories of Shove and Giddens. A model as a combination of mutual influences is developed, reflecting the complexity of urban design problems. The model is applied in a comparative case study on cycling in Freiburg im Breisgau (Germany) and Trondheim (Norway). In Freiburg cycling is of mundane, everyday character, while it carries traits of mere commuting in Trondheim. Applications of the model show strong connections between elements of structure, material, meaning and competence. The model can help planners and designers to grasp urban complexity within systemic relationships, thereby supporting steps towards a practice-oriented design.