Short answer
Designers and planners must move beyond functional aspects of urban spaces to actively curate and enhance the emotional and sensory experiences of people interacting with them.
- Field
- Innovation & Markets
- Source
- Advanced engineering forum (2014)
- Method
- Theoretical Framework Development
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Urban competitiveness and sustainable tourism are significantly enhanced when territorial planning and marketing strategies prioritize the actual lived experience of both visitors and residents. This innovation & markets research insight is drawn from a 2014 study published in Advanced engineering forum. Using Theoretical framework development, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers and planners must move beyond functional aspects of urban spaces to actively curate and enhance the emotional and sensory experiences of people interacting with them.
Designing the 'Place Experience' Drives Urban Competitiveness
Urban competitiveness and sustainable tourism are significantly enhanced when territorial planning and marketing strategies prioritize the actual lived experience of both visitors and residents.
Advanced engineering forum · 2014
Key Findings
- 01The 'place experience' is a critical factor for local economic development.
- 02Both tourist attraction and resident quality of life are contingent on the designed experience of a place.
- 03A systematic theoretical model is needed to support practitioners in 'experience design' for urban areas.
Application
Design takeaway
Designers and planners must move beyond functional aspects of urban spaces to actively curate and enhance the emotional and sensory experiences of people interacting with them.
How to apply
When developing a new urban development project or a tourism marketing campaign, map out the key touchpoints and potential emotional responses of users, and design interventions to optimize these experiences.
Project actions
- 01Consider how users will feel and interact with your design, not just how it looks or functions.
- 02Research what makes a place memorable and enjoyable for its target audience.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Provides a valuable theoretical lens for understanding urban development.
- +Integrates concepts from tourism and marketing for a holistic view.
Limitations
It can be challenging to objectively measure and design for subjective user experiences.
Reliability & validity
The theoretical nature of the framework means direct reliability and validity testing of the framework itself is complex; however, the underlying concepts from tourism experience research are generally well-established.
Think critically
How can the principles of 'place experience' design be applied to digital products or services, and what are the unique challenges in those contexts?
Design Principles
"Prioritize the holistic user experience in the design and management of urban environments to foster competitiveness and resident satisfaction."
This perspective shifts the focus from generic development to a user-centric approach for urban environments. By understanding and designing for the 'place experience,' cities can create more attractive destinations for tourism and improve the quality of life for their inhabitants, leading to greater economic vitality and social well-being.
What This Means for Your Design
Cities become more successful when they focus on making the experience of visiting and living there really good for people.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this paper when discussing how user experience influences the success of a product or service in your design project's context.
- 2.Use the concept of 'place experience' to justify design choices that aim to enhance user satisfaction and engagement.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
The concept of 'place experience,' as theorized by Maggiore and Buonincontri (2014), highlights the critical role of user perception and interaction in determining the success of urban environments and their ability to attract tourism and foster resident satisfaction. This underscores the importance of designing not just for function, but for the holistic experience users have with a place, influencing its overall competitiveness and appeal.
Source
Advanced engineering forum
The "Place Experience" as a Key for Local Development: A Theoretical Framework
journal · 2014
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about designing the 'place experience' drives urban competitiveness?
- Designers and planners must move beyond functional aspects of urban spaces to actively curate and enhance the emotional and sensory experiences of people interacting with them. Evidence: Advanced engineering forum (2014).
- Why does "Designing the 'Place Experience' Drives Urban Competitiveness" matter for design?
- This perspective shifts the focus from generic development to a user-centric approach for urban environments. By understanding and designing for the 'place experience,' cities can create more attractive destinations for tourism and improve the quality of life for their inhabitants, leading to greater economic vitality and social well-being.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Designers and planners must move beyond functional aspects of urban spaces to actively curate and enhance the emotional and sensory experiences of people interacting with them.
- What were the main findings?
- The 'place experience' is a critical factor for local economic development.. Both tourist attraction and resident quality of life are contingent on the designed experience of a place.. A systematic theoretical model is needed to support practitioners in 'experience design' for urban areas.
- What research method was used?
- Theoretical Framework Development.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2014 journal from Advanced engineering forum.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When developing a new urban development project or a tourism marketing campaign, map out the key touchpoints and potential emotional responses of users, and design interventions to optimize these experiences.
- What are the limitations?
- The framework is theoretical and requires empirical validation. The fragmentation of existing research means a comprehensive model is still developing.