Can a unique design framework help promote social cohesion within our society by focusing on micro-community infrastructural changes? This study explores whether design thinking can effectively address societal challenges through an adaptable framework, suitable for diverse urban applications. The research interrogates key themes such as experiential design, social design, visual communication, and design for behavioural change. Alongside a critical review, the study includes a practical project that develops a Design framework for identifying marginalised and deprived urban micro-communities and proposing interventions seeking to cultivate cultural appreciation and interactive cohesion within urban settings.
Intra Keystones offers a flexible, scalable system for addressing societal needs across various urban contexts by embedding grassroots neighborhood interventions into the broader urban fabric. Lincoln serves as a case study to visualize the framework’s potential impact, assessing whether such an approach can drive real-world influence.
By analyzing Lincoln’s residential composition-which includes both permanent residents and transient populations such as students and migratory workers-the Reflection Scapes project applies the framework to identify micro-communities and establish a hierarchical network of interactive, multisensory installations. These installations are designed to cultivate a sense of ownership and familiarity among residents, promoting engagement, and stewardship of these places.
The critical review highlights the importance of visual communication in understanding and interpreting experiential installations. The literature review reveals that while experiential design holds great potential for social impact, implementation has persistent practical challenges. Research also shows that designing for social issues and inclusivity is an evolving field, yet it remains underutilized. The study outlines that by evoking emotional responses through visual communication and multisensory engagement, behavioral change can be encouraged.
The study successfully demonstrates the potential of a flexible design framework to address social fragmentation. By exploring research themes such as social and experiential design, it illustrates how design can be a powerful tool for enabling tangible societal change.
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