www.systemic-design.net

1. CivicsDesign As
Paul Emmerson & Robert Young: RSD6 2017
Design as Civics: Simple principles and values of a
citizens’ practical philosophy of flourishing to
redress the systemic issue of sustainability

2. CivicsDesign As
Simple principles and values of a citizens’ practical philosophy of flourishing
Aim critically for ‘Fairness Between Citizens’
to flourish
to achieve the goal of the ‘Good Life:’

3. “Societies desire equality”
CivicsDesign As
• Lower CO2 emissions
• Greater Trust
• Higher Education Levels
• Better Health
Equality = HAPPIER LIVES!
Wilkinson, R. G., & Pickett, K. E. (2010). The Spirit Level:Why equality is
Better for Everyone. London: Penguin Books.
More equal societies =
Simple principles and values of a citizens’ practical philosophy of flourishing

4. CivicsDesign As
Equality = HAPPIER LIVES = Flourishing

5. CivicsDesign As
DaC’s goal is to achieve the ‘good life’ through the ongoing
critical examination of its ‘aim’ of resolving
‘fairness between citizens’ for enabling citizens to flourish
‘sustainability as fairness’ equates to ‘fairness between citizens’
DaC reframes sustainability to ‘sustainability as fairness’
Simple principles and values of a citizens’ practical philosophy of flourishing

6. “Power springs up whenever
people get together and
act in concert.”
Arendt 1970 p.52
Arendt, H. (1970). On Violence. New York: Harcourt, Brace & World.
Papanek 1995 p.25
Papanek,V. J. (1995). The Green Imperative: Natural Design for the Real World. New York:Thames and Hudson.
Citizens’ expressing power:
The City of Irving bans CFC’s in aerosols and so takes back control

7. “Efficiency hasn’t even compensated for the growth in
population, let alone the growth in incomes.”
Jackson 2009 p.29
Efficiency Sufficiency
Jackson,T. (2009). Prosperity Without Growth Economics for a Finite Planet. London; Sterling,VA: Earthscan.
Design as Civics: a citizens’ practice
responding to the issue of sustainability

8. Prior Research: Designing as expressions of sufficiency

9. Upcycling materials from home recycling stream
Design for kitchen ‘tabletop’ making

10. Relearning how to design for making by hand

11. Technical part made from a drinks can

12. A designer’s expression of sufficiency: not one shared or
understood by broader society

13. CivicsDesign As
Margolin 2002 p.238
“design theory at its most fundamental ought to be
a theory of how design does and might function in
society rather than simply a theory of techniques”
Margolin,V. (2002). The Politics of the Artificial: Essays on Design and Design Studies. Chicago; London: University of Chicago Press.
A citizens’ practical philosophy of flourishing
transforming our understanding of living

14. CivicsDesign As
• Pragmatic Epistemology
• Critical Design Methodology
• Transdisciplinary Practice
• A New Social Theory of Design

15. Develops the skills and desire of citizens to participate in the politics
defining the city towards its goal of the ‘good life,’ and creates
“equality before the law”
CivicsDesign As
Poulakos,T., & Depew, D. (Eds.). (2004). Isocrates and Civic Education (1st ed.). Austin: University of Texas Press.
Poulakos 2004 p.44
Civics: an action orientated practice of change

16. “You are a citizen… and part of the world. . . . The duty
of a citizen is in nothing to consider his own interest
distinct from that of others.”
CivicsDesign As
Insights to civics include:White, E. M. (1921). The Philosophy of Citizenship:
An Introduction to Civics for Adults. The Macmillan Company.
Epictetus c. 55 – 135 CE
Civics: an action orientated practice of change

17. “The ultimate job of design is to transform man's
environment and tools and, by extension, man himself.”
Papanek 1985 p.28
CivicsDesign As
Design: an action orientated practice of change
“Design is the conscious and intuitive effort to impose
meaningful order”
Papanek 1985 p.4
Papanek,V. (1985). Design for the Real World: Human Ecology and Social Change (2nd ed). London:Thames and Hudson.

18. Practice
Theory
Cognitive
Science
Social
Epidemiology
Engaged
Scholarship
Embodied
Cognition
Social
Psychology
Developmental
Psychology
CivicsDesign As
DaC: A transdisciplinary perspective
Schwartz, S. H. (1994). Are There Universal Aspects
in the Structure and Contents of Human Values?
Journal of Social Issues, 50(4), 19–45.
Tomasello, M. (2009). Why We Cooperate.
Cambridge, Mass. London, England:The MIT Press.
Shove, E., Pantzar, M., & Watson, M. (2012). The
Dynamics of Social Practice: Everyday Life and how
it Changes. London: SAGE Publications Ltd.
Boyer, E., L. (1990). Scholarship Reconsidered:
Priorities of the Professoriate. The Carnegie
Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
Lakoff, G., & Johnson, M. (1999). Philosophy in the
Flesh:The Embodied Mind and its Challenge to
Western Thought. New York, NY: Basic Books.
Wilkinson, R. G., & Pickett, K. E. (2010). The
Spirit Level:Why equality is Better for Everyone.
London: Penguin Books.
Lakoff, G., & Johnson, M. (2003). Metaphors We Live
By. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
A pragmatic epistemology incorporating positivist science and interpretative constructivist
understanding to form a transdisciplinary practice

19. Cooperation = Fairness (most of the time)
Tomasello 2009
CivicsDesign As
Fairness: a normative human value
Tomasello, M. (2009). Origins of Human Cooperation (The Jean Nicod
Lectures). Massachusetts. London: MIT Press.
MacDonald,T. (2013). What Makes us Human? [M3U8]. Horizon. UK:
BBC. Retrieved from https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/ondemand/
index.php/prog/057C130C
DaC: A transdisciplinary perspective of ‘fairness between citizens’
A pragmatic epistemology incorporating positivist science and interpretative constructivist
understanding to form a transdisciplinary practice

20. The city,
(Geddes 1904 p.108)
Geddes, P. (1904). Civics: as Applied Sociology. Sociological Papers, 1, 103–138
Wallace, J. (1886). Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne [Oil on Canvas]. Retrieved from https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/quayside-newcastle-upon-tyne-35813#
DaC: A transdisciplinary perspective
A pragmatic epistemology incorporating positivist science and interpretative constructivist
understanding to form a transdisciplinary practice

21. Real
Truth Ideal
DaC: A transdisciplinary perspective
DaC as a praxis is
“AN ONGOING
SYNTHESISING OF
THE TRUTH, REAL
AND IDEAL?”
Nelson, H. G., & Stolterman, E. (2012). The Design Way: Intentional Change in an Unpredictable World (2nd edition.). London, England:The MIT
A pragmatic epistemology incorporating positivist science and interpretative constructivist
understanding to form a transdisciplinary practice
Nelson & Stolterman 2012 p.37
Diagram an adaptation of:
Figure 1.5 Designs of inquiry: An emergent compound (Nelson & Stolterman 2012 p.37)

22. Geography
History Occupation
DaC
MOMENT: DaC’s critical ‘aim’
of resolving FBC
Insights to civics include:White, E. M. (1921). The Philosophy of Citizenship:
An Introduction to Civics for Adults. The Macmillan Company.
Poulakos,T., & Depew, D. (Eds.). (2004). Isocrates and Civic Education (1st ed.). Austin: University of Texas Press.
DaC: A transdisciplinary perspective
A pragmatic epistemology incorporating positivist science and interpretative constructivist
understanding to form a transdisciplinary practice

23. FUTURE: Telos = the ‘Good Life’
PAST
CHANGE
History Occupations
Geography
MOMENT: DaC’s critical ‘aim’
of resolving ‘fairness
between Citizens’
For ‘critical consciousness’ see:
Freire, P. (1972). Pedagogy of the Oppressed. (Bergman Ramos, Myra,
Trans.). Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England: Penguin.
DaC: A City’s systemic
praxis for flourishing
The Good Life Is Always A Work In Progress To Enable Flourishing
Citizen’s develop ‘critical consciousness’ and skill of phronêsis to enable flourishing
DaC Conjectures Express The Community’s Values As
They ‘Aim’ For ‘Fairness Between Citizens’ To Achieve
The Good Life And Enable Flourishing
CivicsDesign As

24. Mental
frames
aimour
moral
politics
a-gun-1415101.jpg 1,599×949 pixels. (n.d.). Retrieved 23 October 2017, from http://
images.freeimages.com/images/large-previews/158/a-gun-1415101.jpg
Lakoff, G. (2002). Moral Politics: How
Liberals and Conservatives Think (2nd ed.).
Chicago and London:The University of
Chicago Press.

25. Strict
father
morality
Nurturant
parent
morality
DESIGN
FOR MARKET
DESIGN
FOR
?
Let the
‘free market’ decide=
Control
the market =
Unsustainable =
Instrumental Rationality
Sustainable =
Value-Rationality
a-gun-1415101.jpg 1,599×949 pixels. (n.d.). Retrieved 23
October 2017, from http://images.freeimages.com/
images/large-previews/158/a-gun-1415101.jpg
Picasso, P. (1949). Dove of Peace.
Mental Frames: Understanding linguistics to frame DaC
Insights from: Lakoff, G. (2002). Moral Politics: How Liberals and Conservatives
Think (2nd ed.). Chicago and London:The University of Chicago Press.
Strict father and Nurturant parent morality (moral politics) insights from cognitive scientist and linguist George Lakoff
moral politics
moral politics
FlourishingMoribund

26. Unsustainability
UNSUSTAINABILITY =
Sustainability
Aligning With ‘Nurturant
Parent Model’ Metaphor
Capitalism
Values towards
self-interest & power
(See Schwartz)
Instrumental-Rationality
Values aiming towards
fairness & sufficiency
(See Schwartz)
Value-Rationality
Nurturant
parent
morality
CivicsDesign As
Free market
SUSTAINABILITY =
DaC: Defining a value-rational praxis for flourishing
DaC’s Teleological Goal:
The ‘Good-Life’ That Aims For
‘Fairness Between Citizens’
Strict
father
morality
moral politicsmoral politics
Continue As We Are
FlourishingMoribund
Cognitive Linguistics
Moral Politics Frame
Shared Social
Practices
Design For Market
Aligning With ‘Strict Father
Model’ Metaphor

27. Universalism
Benevolence
Conformity
Security
Power
Achievement
Hedonism
Stimulation
Self-direction
Tradition
SELF-TRANSCENDENCE
SELF-ENHANCEMENT
OPENNESS TO CHANGE
CONSERVATION
Sustainable =
Value-Rationality
Unsustainable =
Instrumental Rationality
Appreciating how ‘fairness between
citizens’ aligns with Schwartz’s theory of
understanding human values and
value-rational practices
Nurturant
parent
morality
Strict
father
morality
FAIRNESSBETWEEN CITIZENS
Schwartz, S. H. (1994). Are There
Universal Aspects in the Structure and
Contents of Human Values? Journal of
Social Issues, 50(4), 19–45.
Aligning Values
Adaptation of Schwartz 1994 p.24 Fig. 1
Flourishing
Moribund

28. Instrumental
Rationality
Value-Rationality
Strict
father
morality
FAIRNESSBETWEEN CITIZENS
SELF-ENHANCEMENT POWER
DaC
According To Aristotle,Value-
Rationality’s Charge Is To Influence
Instrumental Rationality
Flyvbjerg 2001 p.53
DaC: Defining a value-rational praxis for flourishing
DaC’s teleological goal – the ‘good life’ – and it aims for ‘fairness between citizens’
provides DaC its criticality
Flourishing
SELF-TRANSCENDENCEOPENNESS TO CHANGE
Nurturant
parent
morality
Flyvbjerg, B. (2001). Making Social Science Matter why Social
Inquiry Fails and how it can Succeed Again. Oxford, UK; New York:
Cambridge University Press.
Neoliberalism ‘Free Market’ Values
Moderated By Value-Rationality

29. “ordinary words convey only what we know
already; it is from metaphor that we can best
get hold of something fresh”
Lakoff, G., & Johnson, M. (2003). Metaphors We Live By.
Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Aristotle in Lakoff & Johnson 2003 p.190
Conceptual metaphors ‘aim’ our comprehending,
learning and actions: metaphor’s inform our practice

30. ‘Community
as blighted’
Statement metaphors
‘aim’ how issues
are addressed
District of Columbia: Metaphor =
The community is diseased.
We must CURE the community
1950s
‘A natural
community’
East Village New York: Metaphor =
The community is HOME and
‘where we belong,’ but requires
assistance to flourish
1960s
The community was nurtured to protect and
build the community spirit and sense of
belonging while problem areas were
supported on a case by case basis
The community was razed to the ground
Schön, D. A. (1979). Generative Metaphor:A Perspective on Problem-Setting in Social Policy. In A.
Ortony (Ed.), Metaphor and Thought (2nd ed, pp. 254–283). Cambridge [England] ; New York, NY, USA:
Cambridge University Press.
‘Community as blighted’ versus ‘A natural community’
Conceptual metaphors ‘aim’ our comprehending,
learning and actions: metaphor’s inform our practice

31. DESIGN CONVERSATIONAS
R. GLANVILLE
TARGET:
THE SUBJECT TO MAP EFFECT ONTO
SOURCE:
THE METAPHOR PROPERTY TO
MAP ONTO THE TARGET
Glanville, R. (1999). Researching Design and Designing Research. Design Issues, 15(2), 80.
https://doi.org/10.2307/1511844
Conceptual metaphors ‘aim’ our comprehending,
learning and actions: metaphor’s inform our practice

32. DESIGN
LIKE STEERING
A CANOE
AS
SUCHMAN, L.A. 1987 P.52
TARGET:
THE SUBJECT TO MAP EFFECT ONTO
SOURCE:
THE METAPHOR PROPERTY TO
MAP ONTO THE TARGET
Suchman, L. A. (1987). Plans and Situated Actions:The Problem of Human-Machine Communication.
Cambridge [Cambridgeshire] ; New York: Cambridge University Press.
Conceptual metaphors ‘aim’ our comprehending,
learning and actions: metaphor’s inform our practice

33. mother
A MORAL
metaphor to
AIM
DESIGN
A conceptual metaphor (source) as the heuristic for co-designer’s to activate their
intrinsic motivations in the practice of DaC (Target) to achieve FBC and flourishing
A conceptual metaphor as a heuristic device for the
designer’s to critically ‘aim’ their practice

34. Instrumental
Rationality
Value-Rationality
Strict
father
morality
FAIRNESSBETWEEN CITIZENS
Neoliberalism ‘Free Market’ Values
Moderated By Value-Rationality
SELF-ENHANCEMENT POWER
DaC
According To Aristotle,Value-
Rationality’s Charge Is To Influence
Instrumental Rationality
Flyvbjerg, B. (2001). Making Social Science Matter why Social
Inquiry Fails and how it can Succeed Again. Oxford, UK; New York:
Cambridge University Press.
Flyvbjerg 2001 p.53
motherA conceptual metaphor as a heuristic for co-designer’s to activate their intrinsic
motivations to achieve the ‘good life’ through the ongoing critical examination of its
‘aim’ of resolving ‘fairness between citizens’ for enabling citizens to flourish
A moral metaphor: ‘mother’ is integral to DaC’s
practice within a value-rational paradigm
A MORAL
metaphor to
AIM
DESIGN Flourishing
SELF-TRANSCENDENCEOPENNESS TO CHANGE
Nurturant
parent
morality

35. CivicsDesign As
‘Good life’ = Value-Rationality = Sustainability
Citizen co-designer’s develop ‘critical consciousness’ and skill of phronêsis
A MORAL
metaphor to
AIM
DESIGN
A conceptual metaphor as a heuristic device for the
designer’s to critically ‘aim’ their practice
mother
A heuristic facilitating
intrinsic motivation
NURTURING
HOME
WARMTH
TEACHER
FAMILY
BOND
NOURISHING
CARE
TRUTH
FAIRNESS
EMPATHY
ENABLING
COOPERATIVE
SHARING
EARTH
GUIDE
BIRTH
HUG
POLITICAL
STRONG
PROTECTIVE
SUPPORTIVE
TEAM PLAYER
PROTECTS
LOYAL
RELIABLE
FRIENDSHIP
ENRICHING
JUST
FORESIGHT
TOLERANT
TRUST
TOUGH LOVE
HELPS
HONESTY
FUN
BENEVOLENCE
INTUITION
GENEROUS
INCLUSIVE
FORGIVING
LOVE
FAIRNESSBETWEEN CITIZENS

36. Projects
B: How do we design a ‘Maker Space’ for
City Library Newcastle
A: How can we improve cycling
in Newcastle?
CREA Summer Academy 2015
European Commission’s Horizon 2020 funded CREA Summer
Academy project for students held at the School of Design,
Northumbria University 2015
“We enable cycling citizen scientists to create
‘Open Big Data’ on potholes to campaign for a
national sustainable transport policy”
Supported by Newcastle City Council, UK, and the
team at City Library Newcastle

37. Project A
How can we improve cycling in Newcastle?
CREA Summer Academy 2015
European Commission Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme

38. Pedagogy – Contextmapping:
Enquiry of the city is an examination of the self to
develop ones ‘critical consciousness’ and phronêsis

39. Project A:
1. Potholes dangerous and prevent the uptake of cycling
2. Local cycling groups lack a powerful ‘voice’ to influence policy
Cycling activists inform our thinking:
How can we improve cycling in Newcastle?
CREA Summer Academy 2015
Supported by the European Commission Horizon 2020
Research and Innovation Programme

40. CREA Summer Academy 2015
Supported by the European Commission Horizon 2020
Research and Innovation Programme
A national campaign enabling active citizenry

41. A citizen’s scientist’s bike light and data collector
Co-designers learn to engage in designing for ‘behavioural change’
CREA Summer Academy 2015
Supported by the European Commission Horizon 2020
Research and Innovation Programme

42. Promoting active citizenry in schools
The BBC is connecting with
1 Million UK Secondary
School Software Coders

43. Promoting active citizenry in schools

44. Promoting active citizenry in schools

45. Phronêsis: the skill of making wise decisions in uncertain conditions. Here co-designers
learn the wisdoms of past conjectures enabling them to interpret and apply insights
into new conjectures redressing the value of ‘fairness between citizens.’
Draws on Isocrates’s thinking from:
Poulakos,T., & Depew, D. (Eds.). (2004). Isocrates and Civic Education
(1st ed.). Austin: University of Texas Press.
Civic water fountains Universal Postal ServiceMunicipal allotments
Pedagogy – Developing skill of phronēsis
Project B: How do we design a ‘Maker Space’ for City Library
Newcastle (that also works as a space to practice DaC)

46. Pedagogy – Contextmapping:
Enquiry of the city is an examination of the self to
develop ones ‘critical consciousness’ and phronēsis
Visser, F. S., Stappers, P. J.,Van der Lugt, R., & Sanders, E. B. (2005). Contextmapping: Experiences
from Practice. CoDesign, 1(2), 119–149.

47. Pedagogy – Contextmapping:
Enquiry of the city is an examination of the self to
develop ones ‘critical consciousness’ and phronēsis
When I have chance to relax and feel happy in the city I like to go to?

48. Sometimes I find
the City stressful.
The things that do
that are?
Pedagogy – Contextmapping:
Enquiry of the city is an examination of the self to
develop ones ‘critical consciousness’ and phronêsis

49. Contextmapping Reflections: Developing intersubjectivity.
The co-designers listening and reflecting on how everyones thinking changes

50. Contextmapping Reflections: Developing intersubjectivity.
The co-designers listening and reflecting on how everyones thinking changes

51. Acts of creativityDistressful
Project B: Insights revealing difference, the co-designers
creating ‘new’ shared understandings of our city through
listening to each others perspective: both valid

52. Designing the ‘Maker Space’ live in
City Library Newcastle
A space to practice DaC with local citizens

53. Service Mapping

54. Embodied cognition: ‘mother’ = warmth
“Layout feels like a sweatshop”
Embodied thinking, according to Lakoff and Johnson, is how
humans draw upon the body’s perceptual and motor systems to
sense-make and reason their experiences (Lakoff & Johnson 1999).
Lakoff, G., & Johnson, M. (1999). Philosophy in the Flesh:The Embodied Mind and its Challenge to
Western Thought. New York, NY: Basic Books.

55. Embodied cognition: ‘mother’ = warmth
‘desk feels unwelcoming’

56. Iteratively developing our
understanding of workspaces

57. Cardboard modular mock-up construction:
design representing reclaimed wood railway sleepers

58. Enthusiasm essential!

59. Embodied cognition: ‘mother’ = warmth
Space to move freely, inviting?

60. Design for local making. Creative jobs promoting the ‘good life’
Circular Economy
Creative expressions
A graffiti column
A tension of creativity yet calming
A living wall: A living wall:
Promoting ‘home growing food projects’
through maker space activities

61. CivicsDesign As
‘Good life’ = Value-Rationality = Sustainability
Citizen co-designer’s develop ‘critical consciousness’ and skill of phronêsis
A MORAL
metaphor to
AIM
DESIGN
A conceptual metaphor as a heuristic device for the
designer’s to critically ‘aim’ their practice
mother
A heuristic facilitating
intrinsic motivation
NURTURING
HOME
WARMTH
TEACHER
FAMILY
BOND
NOURISHING
CARE
TRUTH
FAIRNESS
EMPATHY
ENABLING
COOPERATIVE
SHARING
EARTH
GUIDE
BIRTH
HUG
POLITICAL
STRONG
PROTECTIVE
SUPPORTIVE
TEAM PLAYER
PROTECTS
LOYAL
RELIABLE
FRIENDSHIP
ENRICHING
JUST
FORESIGHT
TOLERANT
TRUST
TOUGH LOVE
HELPS
HONESTY
FUN
BENEVOLENCE
INTUITION
GENEROUS
INCLUSIVE
FORGIVING
LOVE
FAIRNESSBETWEEN CITIZENS

62. mother
CivicsDesign As
= THENIF ELSE ≠=WARMTH? FBC
DAC DESIGN
CONJECTURE
DAC DESIGN
CONJECTURE
DAC DESIGN
CONJECTURE
FBC
CO-DESIGNER’S CHOSE
‘WARMTH’ AS A KEY METRIC
DaC: A simplified expression of the ‘designer’s logic’ using ‘mother’ as the heuristic
FAIRNESS
BETWEEN CITIZENS
Goal:
‘GOOD LIFE’ Flourishing
Flourishing Moribund

63. FAIRNESS
BETWEEN CITIZENS
DaC: co-designer interpretations and insights of using ‘mother’ relating to the design of
Maker Space and a location to practice DaC
mother
Malikah
RELIABLE:
Does not break. Repairable. Always their
when needed
Malikah
STONG:
A strong environment to be in. Not just
the physical, but the emotional
Dan
RESPECT:
Taking time for natural materials and people
creates a nurturing and enriching
environment
Dan
FAMILY:
Time spent doing little, comfortably
Dan
GUIDE:
Slowing down = Learning.
Leads to leading by example:
SELF-TRANSCENDENCE
SELF-
TRANSCEN
DENCE
Malikah
BOND:
Bonding with the space, therefore
caring about and giving back
(Helping others use the space)
HELPING
CivicsDesign As

64. FUTURE: Telos = the ‘Good Life’
PAST
CHANGE
History Occupations
Geography
MOMENT: DaC’s critical ‘aim’
of resolving ‘fairness
between Citizens’
For ‘critical consciousness’ see:
Freire, P. (1972). Pedagogy of the Oppressed. (Bergman Ramos, Myra,
Trans.). Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England: Penguin.
DaC: A City’s systemic
praxis for flourishing
The Good Life Is Always A Work In Progress To Enable Flourishing
Citizen’s develop ‘critical consciousness’ and skill of phronêsis to enable flourishing
DaC Conjectures Express The Community’s Values As
They ‘Aim’ For ‘Fairness Between Citizens’ To Achieve
The Good Life And Enable Flourishing
CivicsDesign As

65. DaC outputs affect the cityChanges in the city
DaC as 2nd order cybernetic system.Adapted from Dubberly & Pangaro
(Dubberly, H., & Pangaro, P. (2007). Cybernetics and Service-Craft: Language for
Behavior-Focused Design. Kybernetes, 36(9/10), 1301–1317.)
DaC: A City’s 2nd Order Cybernetic Practice steers the City towards the
good life, towards flourishing
DaC outputs inform
local DaC Groups
Actuator
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Comparator
DaC practitioners compare AIM for
Fairness Between Citizens
INPUT OUTPUTSensor
New ‘readings’ informs current
state desires for determining
‘error’ in system
GOAL
‘Good Life’ = aim for FBC
Describes the relationship the system
desires to have with its environment:
Instrumental
Rational = Unfairness
Outputs of DaC
practitioners
DaC practitioners
take readings
What has changed?
Is FBC reported?
Changes to achieve
desired state of FBC
DaC: A City’s Reflexive Practice observing FBC within the City’s
many design conjectures to steer towards new desired state2nd:
Actuator
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Comparator
DaC practitioners compare AIM for
Fairness Between Citizens
The City
INPUT OUTPUTSensor
DaC outputs enter the cityChanges in the city
New ‘readings’ informs current
state desires for determining
‘error’ in system
GOAL
‘Good Life’ = aim for FBC
Describes the relationship the system
desires to have with its environment:
Instrumental
Rational = Unfairness
Outputs of DaC
practitioners
DaC practitioners
take readings
What has changed?
Is FBC reported?
Changes to achieve
desired state of FBC
DaC: Design Group’s development of
design conjectures 1st:
Flourishing
or moribund
Flourishing
or moribund

66. DaC: A 2nd order cybernetic practice for steering the City towards the good life.
Taking account of the quality of the journey and not simply arriving at the destination.
Value-Rationality Teleological
Goal = the ‘Good Life’
A: DaC, like design is as a 2nd order
cybernetic practice
G1
MISS
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Instrumental Rational = Unfairness
Flourishing
Moribund
The DaC designer describes the
values and principles forming the
relationship of FBC and the ‘good
life,’ observing their outputs of DaC
to determine how their system
desire changes their environment
(good, bad etc.)
The DaC designer iteratively
sketches and make artefacts
reflecting the systems desire for
FBC to achieve the good life
within the context of their
concrete design conjectures
Collectively, the ongoing 2nd order cybernetic practice and
its relationship feedback cycles, develops the DaC
practitioner’s quality of how to steer their internal goals
towards external ends
Value-Rationality = Good Life
B: DaC Group’s collective 2nd
order cybernetic practice
Value-Rationality Teleological
Goal = the ‘Good Life’
G1
MISS
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Instrumental Rational = Unfairness
Flourishing
Moribund
Collectively, the ongoing 2nd order cybernetic group practice
and its relationship feedback cycles, develops the collective
DaC Group practitioner’s quality of how to steer their internal
goals towards external ends
The DaC practitioners collectively
describe the values and principles
forming the relationship of FBC and
the ‘good life,’ observing their
outputs of DaC to determine how
their system desire changes their
environment (good, bad etc.)
The DaC designers iteratively
sketch and make artefacts
reflecting the systems desire for
FBC to achieve the good life
within the context of their
concrete design conjectures
C: Many 2nd order cybernetic practices inform the city’s steering
towards its teleological goal of the ‘good life.’
Value-Rationality Teleological Goal = the ‘Good Life’
Considering the City as a complex system, more practices of DaC within the City
provides greater sensing and information generation for comparing collectively as
to whether the City’s desires are being addressed and inputting steering feedback
to meet the City’s teleological goal of enabling citizens to live the ‘good life.’
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Moribund
Instrumental Rational = Unfairness
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FlourishingDaC group outputs inform
City’s steering
Are we achieving the ‘Good Life?’
DaC Group Practices

67. Universities/Higher Education Public LibrariesSchools
DaC: A plural agonism praxis.
DaC requires value-rational infrastructures to support citizens in the practice
of DaC within their cities. Universities, schools and public libraries identified as
suitable ‘keystone’ infrastructures for facilitating and actively supporting DaC.
Distinctly, all three possess potential for scaling globally.
For agonism see: Mouffe, C. (2005). The Return of the Political. London ; New York:Verso.
All Image Paul Emmerson, except Schools: http://www.wcs.rotherham.sch.uk/gallery/?pid=100&gcatid=1&albumid=3#lg=1&slide=9

68. CivicsDesign As
Design as Civics: Simple principles and values of a
citizens’ practical philosophy of flourishing to
redress the systemic issue of sustainability
DaC is a practical philosophy for flourishing: a reflexive value-rational, systemic radical
political praxis for citizens possessing the teleological goal of delivering the ‘good life’ through
critically interrogating their ‘aim’ to achieve FBC.
Paul Emmerson & Robert Young: RSD6 2017