Image : ''The flattened deliberative field of standardized mobile props performing in familiar formations''
The physical spaces we interact in strongly influence and condition how we feel and behave. At the moment, our current parliaments and spaces for government are not designed for deliberation. Deliberative processes, such as Citizens’ Assemblies, take place in conference rooms, libraries, universities and other spaces that are not necessarily designed for deliberation. What would a space designed explicitly for citizen deliberation look like? How would it reflect principles of equality, mutual respect, diversity?
How can we apply this knowledge more broadly, creating conditions and enabling infrastructure not only for Citizens’ Juries, but also spontaneous deliberation by people in public spaces in the city? If we believe in the need for permanent institutions, these institutions need to have permanent spaces as well. That this matters both symbolically and practically.
This area of work focuses on researching and designing the physical infrastructure for the next democratic paradigm.
