Design contributes to the regulation of behaviour both cumulatively in spaces like streets, and individually as we experience different objects. Sometimes design decisions are accidental by virtue of their juxtaposition with each other and therefore have an unintended cumulative impact, and other times, we enjoy a carefully constructed experience. Our behaviour is affected and sometimes modified. Milton Glaser wrote that ‘good design is good citizenship’. Where design works, our shared lives make it easier for us to be better citizens but it cannot compensate for policy gaps.

This thesis, triggered by the Dublin city motto- ‘Happy the city where the citizens obey’ explores the city and whether hostile design features actually make us more obedient as citizens, or whether they contribute to creating a silently more divided society.

I presented my thesis research at the IADT Findings II Symposium in June 2021.