Time Perception as a Factor of Change in Urban and Social Design: From “Place-Thinking” to “Place-Making”

According to Everyday Aesthetics theories, aesthetics can influence how individuals perceive and experience a place. The aesthetic appreciation of a place extends beyond its physical attributes to encompass its moral, social, and political significance. This introduces the concept of “place-thinking”, which highlights the qualities of a space when it is imbued with human values. From this perspective, we can address practical issues and questions regarding the role of Everyday Aesthetics in Design for Social Innovation practices, emphasizing the ethical responsibility we bear for the world we inhabit. In the complexity of urban environments, one crucial aspect that serves as a potential point of connection between Urban Aesthetics, Design for Social Innovation, and Spatial Design projects is the temporal scale. The dynamics of living through urban transformations are a central theme for these disciplines. Notably, Spatial Design has increasingly focused on temporary urban interventions, which aim not only to provoke thought and evoke emotions within local communities but also to sometimes catalyze lasting changes in urban areas.