Discover the World of Observational Data: Insights, Experiences, and Opportunities.
Are you curious about how public spaces function? Have you ever wondered what it takes to make a street feel safe or a public park welcoming?
Welcome to the world of observational data—a fascinating glimpse into the intricate dance between people and their environments. At Inhabit Place, our data collectors, known as "place auditors," observe, engage, and gather insights to improve urban spaces, ensuring they meet the needs of their users.
In a recent conversation, Lexi and Jerome, two dedicated place auditors with Inhabit Place, shared their experiences and insights, revealing why this role is not only vital but also incredibly rewarding.
Meet the Place Auditors: Lexi and Jerome
Lexi's passion for human-centric design drives her work as a place auditor. With degrees in design and architecture, she's committed to understanding how people interact with built environments. "I'm very passionate about becoming a better advocate in architecture for people who are actually using the site," she shared. Lexi’s focus on designing public spaces to feel safe and welcoming—especially for women at night—highlights the importance of people-centric research in urban design.
Jerome, an industrial designer, echoed this sentiment. Transitioning from product design to the built environment, he found the role of place auditor an exciting opportunity to apply his skills in a new context. "It was just very curious into that overlap," he explained. "In product design, we are in a constant phase of iteration and change. In the built environment, the lifespan of projects is so long that it's even more valuable that this research and testing get done. But it seems to be less frequent in the built world than product design. I just think it’s so important."
The Role of a Place Auditor
Place auditors like Lexi and Jerome spend significant time on-site, observing how people use public spaces and engaging with the community to gather firsthand insights. Trained in the Inhabit Place methodology and data collection tools, place auditors challenge assumptions and advocate for designs that truly meet the complex needs of users.
One of the most valuable aspects of this work is the real-life insights gained from direct interaction and observation of the community. Lexi recounted a memorable interaction with a woman who had to choose between an accessible but exhausting route and a shorter, riskier path. “She was talking about her journey from public transport to the hairdresser. The accessible journey was there, but it was so long that she would become fatigued and risk falling. She was forced into taking the less accessible route, with a more undulating footpath, and a risk of injuring herself through a fall.” Such stories illuminate the everyday challenges people encounter, emphasising the need for designs that are empathetic and user-friendly.
Jerome adds, "You quickly realise you aren’t as accurate at predicting people’s behaviour as you’d like to think.” This humbling realisation underscores the importance of challenging assumptions and preconceptions in design.
Surprising Insights from the Field
Both Lexi and Jerome have encountered surprising and enlightening moments during their fieldwork.
Lexi shared observations about the homeless community during a recent round of data collection. Contrary to common perceptions, local residents viewed the homeless individuals positively, considering them part of the community. Lexi observed moments of care between the community, such as residents stopping to check in, waving, having a chat, and buying something extra from the shops for the homeless. In contrast, people from outside the area were more likely to suggest moving them on. “That danger is not really being perceived by the locals in the same way it was discussed by the authorities or people who are visiting the area. It's so important to go to the site and understand the situation, rather than engaging in defensive design and removing people who aren't doing anything and are part of the community.” This insight challenges widespread assumptions and highlights the importance of understanding local contexts through direct engagement.
Jerome was struck by the value of interviewing people on-site and hearing their stories. He found that their stories often did not align with their initial ratings of the space. “The stories that they tell you always would be very different from how they would rank things and behave,” he observes. “I spoke with a gentleman in his 50s who had been in a violent altercation in this location, yet he still ranked it relatively safe. And then I spoke with a woman who ranked a location highly across all the indicators, which would make you think it's a lovely place, but then at the very end she told me that she certainly wouldn’t want her daughter walking through here alone.” This discrepancy between narrative and data demonstrates how interviewing on-site draws out contextual memories and the complexities of perception.
Learning and Reflection
The role of a place auditor is as much about personal growth as it is about professional duties. Lexi emphasises how the experience broadened her understanding of community dynamics and the role of architecture in public safety. "Talking to users in public space can go a long way and stay with you throughout your career," she says. “The process taught me a lot about neighbourhoods and community as their own little ecosystems. Universal design principles can only get us so far as each place is unique.”
Jerome found the process of detailed observation and data collection to be both humbling and inspiring. "It reaffirmed the importance of continually testing your assumptions," he remarks. This iterative process of learning and applying insights is crucial for creating spaces that truly serve their users.
Lexi and Jerome’s experiences highlight the unique and rewarding nature of place auditing. Lexi believes that anyone with curiosity and a bit of confidence can excel in this role. "Diversity among auditors is so important. Different skills and perspectives can represent various segments of the public," she states. Jerome echoes this sentiment, emphasising the value of the experience for both design professionals and curious individuals alike. "If you love people, if you love looking for patterns and figuring out what motivates people, it will be an interesting experience for sure," he says.
Why You Should Consider Place Auditing
Join a global network of over 500 individuals trained in the art of observational data collection.
- Personal and Professional Growth: Observational data collection is a unique opportunity to broaden your perspective. As Lexi and Jerome illustrate, engaging directly with public space users can transform your understanding of design, making you a more empathetic and effective designer or planner.
- Community Impact: By becoming a place auditor, you play a crucial role in shaping public spaces to better meet the needs of their users. Your observations and insights can lead to tangible improvements in safety, accessibility, and overall user experience.
- Diverse Opportunities: Place auditing isn’t just for designers. Whether you have a background in architecture, urban planning, sociology, or simply a passion for improving public spaces, your unique perspective is valuable. Lexi and Jerome emphasise that diverse skills and experiences enrich the data collection process.
- Engaging and Rewarding Work: Place auditing involves dynamic, on-the-ground work. You'll spend time outdoors, interact with a variety of people, and gather real-world data. As Jerome points out, it's a refreshing change from desk-bound jobs and offers a deep sense of connection to the communities you study.
Join the Movement
Place auditing is more than a job; it's a movement towards creating more inclusive, user-friendly, and connected urban spaces. Lexi and Jerome’s experiences highlight the profound impact of this role on their professional practices and personal perspectives. By sharing their insights, they provide a compelling glimpse into the life of place auditors, encouraging others to join this impactful and rewarding field.
So, why not step out, observe, engage, and help shape the spaces where we live, work, and play? The world of place auditing awaits you.
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