Imagining and designing urban environments where all people thrive is an extraordinary task. For a space to inspire, excite and positively transform people’s lives, it needs to be designed based on theory and research. This PPT is part one of a free four-part webinar design series delving into research, case studies and critical theories to provide you with the tools to create spaces that are inclusive, sustainable and salutogenic, that is, health-promoting. Based on their newly released book “Creating Great Places: Evidence-based Urban Design for Health and Wellbeing”, Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture Debra Cushing and Professor of Design Psychology Evonne Miller, will lead a conversation about the value and processes of engaging deeply with design theory. In collaboration with Tobias Volbert from Urban Play, Deb and Evonne will walk through a different priority each week: Week 1 introduces their notion of theory-storming (based on Edward de Bono’s Thinking Hats approach) and how to design salutogenic (health-promoting) places.

1. A/Prof Deb Cushing, Prof Evonne Miller & Tobias Volbert
QUT x Urban Play
Creating Great Places: The Design Series

2. Agenda for today…
• Introductions
• What is Theory Storming?
• 6 Critical Theories
• Salutogenic Design as a Global Priority
• Applying it to a Multi-use Trail Scenario
• Creating Great Places in Practice – Tobias Volbert
• Discussion Lounge

3. Who we are…
A/Professor Deb Cushing
Discipline Leader for Spatial Design at QUT
Background in landscape architecture and
participatory community planning.
Research focuses on designing healthy
child- and youth-friendly environments.
Professor Evonne Miller
Director of the QUT Design Lab
Background in design psychology and
environmental gerontology. Research
focuses on creating sustainable, inclusive
and age-friendly places.

4. Week 1.
Theory-Storming
Salutogenic Design
Week 2.
Theory-Storming
Innovative Child-friendly Design
Week 3.
Theory-Storming
Innovative Age-friendly & Inclusive Design
Week 4.
Theory-Storming
Innovative Sustainable Design

5. Great places don’t just happen.
They are created.

6. Why we
wrote
this
book

7. Evidence-based
Design is…
“a process for the conscientious,
explicit and judicious use of
current best evidence from
research and practice in making
critical decisions, together with
an informed client, about the
design of each individual and
unique project”
(Hamilton & Watkins, 2009, p.9).

8. Why is this important?

9. “Once finished, a new
urban area or park or
building will likely
outlast every person
who designed,
engineered and built
it. […]And it will remain in
use long after those who
commissioned and paid for it
are gone…. every element –
building, landscape, urban
area, infrastructure – ought,
accordingly, be designed to
help us thrive” p. 269-272, Goldhagen, 2017

10. Theory-Storming
Viewing a design problem through
multiple theoretical lenses. The goal
is to generate an evidence-based
design solution that is creative and
inspired, but also effective and
sustainable for multiple stakeholders.

11. Theory-Storming
Inspired by Edward De Bono’s Six Thinking Hats
Thinking with THEORY facilitates the creation of Great Places

12. Theory-Storming in Action – ‘Design a Utopian Place’
Cushing, D.& Miller, E. (2020). Creating Great Places: Evidence-
based urban design for health and wellbeing. Routledge.
QLD DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING,
HOMELESSNESS & SPORT (HHS)

13. Theory-Storming Innovative, Health-Promoting Places
Miller, E. & Cushing, D. (in press). Theory-Storming in the Urban Realm: Using Nudge Theory to inform the design of health-
promoting places for all ages. The Journal of Design Strategies.

14. 6 Critical
Design
Theories

15. Affordance Theory

16. Affordances are opportunities for
actions supported by an environment,
and communicated through visual cues
perceived by users. These cues are often
determined by the surfaces, objects, and
layout of the space.

17. The affordance is crossing this Sydney street
safely, and the cue is the “look Left”.

18. Desire Line in Central Park, NYC is a example
when an affordance is not provided by the design.

19. Prospect-Refuge
Theory
Viewing platform on the
HighLine in NYC provides an
unique prospect-refuge
experience.

20. Prospect refuge theory
describes the idea that people in
public places feel most comfortable
when they can observe what is
happening around them, while also
being slightly protected.

21. Paley Park in NYC provides a secure space of
refuge, with a view looking back onto the street.

22. The Salk Institute is known for the prospect it
provides when standing in a specific vantage point.
Photo by Natalie Wright.

23. Place-Attachment Theory
Image by Matthias_Lemm on Pixabay CC

24. Place attachment theory
explains why people develop
emotional bonds with specific places,
often a treasured landscape from
their childhood. Using that
knowledge during the design
process, can aid in the creation of
better places that people will use
and enjoy, take ownership of, and
thrive in.

25. Ethnic enclaves in large cities, such as
Little Italy, Chinatown, or Little
Havana demonstrate deep place
attachments.
Little Havana image by Prayitno, Flickr; Chinatown image by
Osbornb, Flickr; Little Italy, NYC by Mike (Squeakymarmot) Flickr.

26. Image one by Andrew Merger, image 2 by Brisbane City Council
image three by Brisbane City Counci
International PARKing Day provides a day when
community members can take over a parking spot to
create a small parklet.

27. Personal Space Theory
Photo by Mauro Mora, Unsplash, CC

28. Proxemics describes the study of
personal space and how
different people conceptualize, use
and organize space. Proxemics
explains how intimate, personal,
social, and public distances may
differ depending on a person’s
cultural background, gender, age,
and relationship with others.

29. Sketch by Ama Hayyu Marzuki

30. Charlotte Teagan (snow), Evonne Miller (seat in Hong Kong);
with permission, ©The Friendly Bench™2019

31. Sense of Place/Genius Loci
©NEXT architects/Photography: Rutger Hollande

32. Sense of place theory is the
concept that every natural
environment has a unique character
with which people can identify and
be intrigued. This character can and
should be the starting point of a
designed environment, ensuring the
unique character is not lost or
hidden, but is celebrated and
reinforced.

33. Gas Works Park in Seattle demonstrates a distinct
sense of place. Photo by Dr Shannon Satherley.

34. Photos by: Ellen Marie Sæthre-McGuirk (Oslo);
Debra Cushing (Surfboard bench); ©NEXT
architects/Photography: Jeroen Bosch.
Responding to the genius loci of a site:
Oslo Opera House,a surfboard bench on
Australia’s Gold Coast, and Zalige bridge
in the Netherlands

35. Biophilic Design Theory
CC. Vernon Raineil Cenzon on Unsplash

36. Biophilia acknowledges humans
have evolved with nature and have an
innate preference for being with other
living things, including plants and
animals. Related research also
substantiates the importance of access
to nature in today’s fast-paced, over-
stimulating urban environment.

37. Biophilic urban renewal in downtown Seoul, South
Korea. Previously a highway, the 10.9 kilometre (6.8
mile) long Cheonggyecheon stream is now a popular
public recreation space.
Nux (Flickr, CC BY SA-2.0)

38. Examples of Biophilic Design:
Fallingwater, and the twin residential
towers, Bosco Verticale.
Fallingwater, on Pixabey and Bosco Verticale by Chris
Barbalis on Unsplash (CC)

39. Theory-Storming for
Salutogenic Design

40. Salutogenic Design…
ACTIVELY promotes health and
wellbeing using a systems thinking
approach, addressing all factors that
can create, enhance and improve
physical, mental, and social well-
being.

41. What is health?
The World Health Organisation
defines health as, “a state of
complete physical, mental and
social well-being and not merely
the absence of disease or
infirmity”
(WHO, 2019)

42. Our Global Health Crisis…
• Obesity
• Heart-disease, Cancer, Diabetes, Lung Disease
• Mental Illness, Depression, Anxiety, Loneliness
• Fatigue, Stress
• Short and Long-term Injuries
…and now COVID-19
These affect all ages and are impacted by
our environment.

43. AN INDOOR CHILDHOOD?
AN INACTIVE ADULTHOOD?
Green time has been traded for screen time…
The need for Salutogenic Design
Three-quarters of UK children
spend less time outdoors than
prison inmates.

44. Salutogenesis and a Sense of
Coherence:
• describes the ability for people to confront a
source of stress with motivation to cope with
it (meaningful);
• the belief that they understand it
(comprehensible);
• and the resources to deal with it
(manageable).

45. Salutogenic places make
us feel good, happy,
calm, energized,
inspired, playful,
and healthy

46. Theory-storming
a multi-use trail

47. Theory-Storming a Multi-Use Trail
Theory Design Solutions
Affordance theory Clear signage; good width and surface for biking, running, scooting,
wheelchairs; rest stops for varied abilities; lighting for night use
Prospect refuge Strategic vantage points with great views; clear sight lines without
blind corners; protection from weather; safe places to stop
Place attachment Located for easy regular use with access to adjacent facilities like
cafes, parks, schools, work; multi-sensory experience
Personal space Comfortable and well-placed seating; sufficient width for multiple
users; clear indication of directional flow
Sense of
place/genius loci
Presence of local art and cultural symbols; use of regional
building/plant materials; celebration of local character
Biophilia Access to fresh air and daylight; views of plants, water, and natural
features; safe presence of wildlife

48. Prospect Refuge Theory
Prospect Refuge
Personal Space
Affordances
Sense of Place
Biophilic design
Place Attachment
Multi-use Trail at Southbank Parklands

49. Bikeway along the Western Freeway
Affordance – yes,
but limited
Prospect Refuge - maybe
Sense of Place??
Place Attachment??
Personal Space - yes
Biophilic Design??
But what about…

50. Creating Great Places
in Practice

51. Creating great places
where people thrive
requires
boundary-pushing
innovative thinking
and courageous
leadership

52. Are we up for the
challenge?

53. For more information on
Theory-Storming and
Evidence-based Design,
check out the book at:
https://www.routledge.com/Creating-
Great-Places-Evidence-based-Urban-
Design-for-Health-and-
Wellbeing/Cushing-
Miller/p/book/9780367257460

54. Coming up next week…
Week 2.
Theory-Storming
Innovative Child-friendly Design
Week 3.
Theory-Storming
Innovative Age-friendly & Inclusive Design
Week 4.
Theory-Storming
Innovative Sustainable Design

55. A/Prof Deb Cushing, Prof Evonne Miller & Tobias Volbert
QUT x Urban Play
Creating Great Places: The Design Series
Questions?