Uploaded on 2017-03-23 by Roxani Gkavra

I would choose to start a Citizen Design Science Project about infrastructure of bus stops. My idea derives from the current conditions of bus stops in Thessaloniki. I could say there are two different kinds of bus stops. Those which include an infrastructure combined with a sitting bench and a protecting wall, like the one showed on the left part of the image. The second category includes bus stops which are mentioned only by a simple road-pavement signal and no other infrastructure, as shown on the right part of the image. The selection for which of the two types to choose is currently being based on the amount of people who use the stop, the available space on the pavement, where the sitting bench and the wall are located. Generally, there is not a specific base for the criteria of choosing which type to install. Moreover, the first kind-considerably the one which provides more comfort and protection usually faces severe damage. Many plastic walls are almost destroyed, the whole infrastructure may be covered from illegal graffiti and the sitting bench is often very dirty or even used as bed for homeless people. All these prove the necessity for rethinking and redesigning the two existed types. Conducting a questionnaire survey between the citizens could be a helpful step towards analyzing the current situation. But more than just writing down the problems and the advantages and disadvantages of each type is needed. We should understand which are the citizens demands of a bus stop. Do they prefer a closed spaced to wait and avoid cold weather, or they want an open space? In which one they feel safer? Which one makes them more happy? The time spending while waiting for a bus is like a dead time. Are there any other wanted characteristics and capabilities? Free Wi-Fi signal from the bus stop could be one of them. Which are the colors, materials, lighting during night that citizens prefer? I believe the best way to learn about all of them and design a more efficient system is a place making event and/or one or more, open for the public, workshops. Workshops in schools is a very interesting part too. Children can be a very important factor which could contribute to planning and designing happier, more comfortable and even safer spaces. Even when it is about a small area like a bus stop. Workshops where entrance is open for everybody, children, disabled people, usual users, experts and even tourists is an idea. Each team and individual person has different ideas, view and preferences. Giving them a map of their neighborhood or of another area they usual move through and asking them to place where they want each one of the two existed types and what specific characteristics they propose for each bus stop are two possible themes to be discussed during the workshop. Bringing all of them together to work in teams and formulate proposals could, in my opinion, be a very important Citizen Design Science Project.