Designing for the Public Good
Public interest design (PID), is an approach, where design is applied for the common good.
It prioritises collective well-being in urban planning processes and is a suitable framework for inclusive and sustainable urban development as well as the development of public services.
Liveability aims to assist local authorities by integrating the aspect of PID into city strategies and administrative processes as well as providing practical guidance to civil servants.
Public Interest Design applies design thinking and co-creation methods for the common good. It prioritises collective well-being in urban planning and public service development, making it a powerful framework for inclusive and sustainable urban transformation.
Through Liveability, we help local authorities integrate PID principles into city strategies and administrative processes, while providing practical guidance for civil servants.
The Role of Public Interest Design in Transformation
Design plays a central role in the Liveability project — not only as a problem-solving tool, but as a mechanism for innovation and systemic change.
We see Public Interest Design as a socially responsible and community-centred approach that helps tackle key challenges such as inequality, sustainability, and urban liveability. It forms the foundation of our Liveability Design Approach framework.
By recognising the diversity of perspectives in urban development, PID creates the conditions for collaborative and inclusive solutions that prioritise the public good. Engaging stakeholders with different needs and interests ensures a holistic and equitable process for shaping better cities.
Download the report
This report summarises the Liveability project’s shared understanding of what Public Interest Design means in practice.
It includes:
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The role of PID within the overall project framework.
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A brief discussion of related design approaches and their critiques.
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A first collection of good practices from partner cities and references to existing toolkits.
A synthesis of five key capacity-building ingredients for cities and municipal administrations — developed with reference to current research, best practices, and internationally used design toolkits.