Usability for the World: Building Better Cities and Communities

Want to build cities that truly work for everyone? Usability for the World: Sustainable Cities and Communities reveals how human-centered design is key to thriving, equitable urban spaces. This isn't just another urban planning book; it's a practical guide to transforming cities, offering concrete strategies and real-world examples you can use today.
What if our cities could be both efficient and human-friendly? This book tackles the core challenge of modern urban development: balancing functionality with the well-being of residents. It explores the crucial connection between usability and sustainability, demonstrating how design principles, from Universal to life-centered, create truly livable cities.
Interested in sustainable urban development? Usability for the World offers a global perspective, showcasing diverse approaches to creating equitable and resilient cities. Through compelling case studies, discover how user-centered design addresses pressing urban challenges. See how these principles connect directly to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
This book offers more than theory. It provides practical insights and actionable strategies for:

• Designing user-centered cities: Apply usability principles to urban planning.
• Improving urban spaces: Discover how tech and innovation create human-friendly environments.
• Building sustainable communities: Explore the link between human-centered design and the SDGs.
• Creating equitable cities: Understand how design promotes inclusivity and accessibility.

Whether you're an urban planner, designer, policymaker, or simply someone who cares about our cities' future, Usability for the World provides the tools and inspiration you need. Join the movement to build better cities, one human-centered design at a time. What will your contribution be to the future of urban living?

List of contents

Introduction: Sustainable cities: Where usability shapes inclusive urban futures.- Part I: Current landscape.- At the intersection of usability and urban sustainability: A literature review.- What's in it for me? A usability perspective on African sustainable cities.- More-Than-Human cities: How to bring life-centered design principles to urban spaces.- Exploring usability of AI systems in the global South Towards responsible human-centered AI for sustainable cities and communities.- Part II: Guiding principles.- Embracing imperfection: The key to sustainable UX in humane cities.- Trustworthy sustainable cities.- Citizen co-creation.- Part III: Future visions.- Citizen centered cities: User centered design for cooperative cities.

About the author

Elizabeth Rosenzweig 
Elizabeth Rosenzweig is a design researcher dedicated to using technology to create meaningful change. With a strong belief in user-centered design research, she has pushed the boundaries of innovation through founding World Usability Day, securing four patents in intelligent design, and driving improvements on platforms like Medicare.gov. Her work includes impactful studies on body-worn cameras and medical device usability, and she authored *Successful User Experience: Strategies and Roadmaps*. By consistently applying rigorous research methodologies, she transforms complex technological challenges into user-friendly solutions. When not advancing design, Elizabeth explores global perspectives that inspire her innovative approach.
 Amanda Davis
 Amanda Davis, founder of Experiment Zone, guides companies on usability and conversion rate optimization. A champion for global user-friendly experiences, she serves on the board of the World Usability Initiative. While Usability for the World is her first book, her expertise is recognized through features on numerous podcasts and contributions to various journals. A passionate advocate for building community within urban spaces, Amanda enjoys exploring new cities and connecting with people through her love of travel and, closer to home in Austin, pickleball. She believes that just as a well-designed city fosters connection, so does a well-played game.

Summary

Want to build cities that truly work for everyone? Usability for the World: Sustainable Cities and Communities reveals how human-centered design is key to thriving, equitable urban spaces. This isn't just another urban planning book; it's a practical guide to transforming cities, offering concrete strategies and real-world examples you can use today.
What if our cities could be both efficient and human-friendly? This book tackles the core challenge of modern urban development: balancing functionality with the well-being of residents. It explores the crucial connection between usability and sustainability, demonstrating how design principles, from Universal to life-centered, create truly livable cities.
Interested in sustainable urban development? Usability for the World offers a global perspective, showcasing diverse approaches to creating equitable and resilient cities. Through compelling case studies, discover how user-centered design addresses pressing urban challenges. See how these principles connect directly to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
This book offers more than theory. It provides practical insights and actionable strategies for:

• Designing user-centered cities: Apply usability principles to urban planning.
• Improving urban spaces: Discover how tech and innovation create human-friendly environments.
• Building sustainable communities: Explore the link between human-centered design and the SDGs.
• Creating equitable cities: Understand how design promotes inclusivity and accessibility.

Whether you're an urban planner, designer, policymaker, or simply someone who cares about our cities' future, Usability for the World provides the tools and inspiration you need. Join the movement to build better cities, one human-centered design at a time. What will your contribution be to the future of urban living?

Product details

• Assisted by: Davis (Editor), Amanda Davis (Editor), Elizabeth Rosenzweig (Editor)
• Publisher: Springer, Berlin
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 12.06.2025
• EAN: 9783031883255
• ISBN: 978-3-0-3188325-5
• No. of pages: 322
• Illustrations: XIV, 322 p. 52 illus., 23 illus. in color.
• Series: Human-Computer Interaction Series; Human–Computer Interaction Series
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > IT, data processing > Operating systems, user interfaces; User Experience, Urban Design, User Interfaces and Human Computer Interaction, Smart Cities, Sustainable cities, Usable Technology, UN Susainable Development