ABSTRACT
Introduction The research and practice field of mobilities design calls for methods, which can capture its socio-material hybridity, its dynamics (movement) and its designerly disposition towards intervention and change. In this chapter, we discuss urban mobilities design methods in the light of these requirements. We set out with an outline of what we regard a productive interplay between ‘mobile methods’ (Büscher et al. 2011b; Fincham et al. 2010) and (urban) design methods. As we explore this nexus between mobilities and design, we embrace the material dimensions of design (i.e. materials, surfaces, volumes, spaces, and so on) as well as the methods and creative approaches (related to what we have termed ‘designerly ways of thinking’; see Chapter 1). In the mobilities literature, there has been some debate as to what precisely to include under the heading of ‘mobile methods’ (Büscher et al. 2011b). Are the methods applied within mobilities research of a specific nature and unique to this field of study, or rather are we looking at any relevant method that suggests itself as pragmatically useful for the study of mobilities? Here we follow Jensen (2015: 16) and lean on the latter position and argue for a pragmatic identification of what may be useful methods in the exploration of mobile phenomena. We turn to the situational perspective on mobilities studies and zoom in on the dynamic, fluctuating and processual practices of everyday life mobilities. At the same time, we are exploring the field of socio-material hybridity, in which there are important and new insights to be gained when we start to probe deeper into the relations between (embodied) mobilities and material spaces and artefacts. Furthermore, we apply the methods chosen to everyday life situations. The situational perspective is of particular relevance to mobilities and urban design, which Paans and Pasel assert in their hands-on designerly articulation of a ‘situational urbanism’:
The term ‘situation’ defines a recurring set of relations which connects scales. It moves away from hierarchical distinctions, and exerts its influence on the block level, the entrance level, the pedestrian level, the balcony level, the street corner level . . . Situational Urbanism is the method of connecting
the potentials and weaknesses of each situation with possibilities that present themselves. We aim to change daily routines and habits by intervening at certain points in the architecture. Precision is key here – each situation should be thoroughly studied and different scenarios should be formulated.
