Citizens blame architects for designing lousy buildings.
Architects blame developers for prioritizing profit.
Developers blame lawmakers for creating market conditions.
Lawmakers blame citizens for supporting short-sighted policy.
So where does the buck stop?
In complex or circular systems there’s often no clear answer — and this creates an opportunity for people who care to step up and lead.
When nobody’s in charge, leverage belongs to those with the courage to evaluate the whole situation, and communicate a vision for a better way forwards.
If your work provides people with a plan behind which to rally, the circle of blame can mature into a sphere of cooperation.
Lousy buildings are far from our biggest problem, but the patterns that cause them are mirrored in most truly pressing issues. When no party has the power to spur change alone, designers can create possibility by facilitating consensus.
In the face of global challenges, that’s a great source of hope.
Designable.blog 