Cities become complex systems. Design – understood as the design of space, time and interaction – plays a major role in this. Because the new technologies that structure our presence and participation mean that we 'experience' each other in new ways, the interaction between trust and truth is also shifting. Sharing rhythm seems essential to deepen trust between city and neighborhood residents, who often do not know each other. After all, rhythm is how diverse patterns understand each other and flow together. Rhythm is also crucial for our sensory perception and our ability to communicate, while design of technology rarely takes this into account.
In her inaugural lecture, Nevejan advocates an approach and design of the urban experience as a shared reflection on the many sensations and emotions that a city offers. Such shared reflection, such 'co-authoring of an outcome' or such 'joint authorship of decision-making', is necessary, and in turn nourishes the diversity that cities - and their inhabitants - need to promote their well-being. It is unclear how technology can contribute to such a reflection. Now that artificial intelligence (AI) is gaining momentum and 'thinking' robots seem to be near, the human ability to achieve joint reflection needs to reposition itself.
In her conclusion, Nevejan concludes that if networking cities want to contribute to well-being and survival, they must be reflective, diverse and require rhythm. If such cities are to contribute to shared authorship of decision-making in every street, neighborhood, district and enterprise, they must develop and design processes of diverse involvement for the management of the city.
Mrs. Prof. Dr. C.I.M. Nevejan, professor by special appointment of Designing Urban Experience: Urban Reflection.
Source: UvA website
The film recording of the inaugural lecture can be viewed via this link to the UvA website.