Curiosity That Matters CTM 9: Dark Matter & Trojan Horses with Dan Hill
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Jun 21, 2024 
Dan Hill, a renowned designer and director at the Melbourne School of Design, shares his insights on urbanism and systemic change. He explores the unseen 'dark matter' in design, emphasizing how policies influence urban planning. Hill discusses transformative 'Trojan Horse' projects like Helsinki’s Restaurant Day, highlighting grassroots innovation. He advocates for interdisciplinary approaches to urban challenges and emphasizes the importance of culture in designing city spaces, all while promoting curiosity as a catalyst for sustainable development.
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Helsinki's Restaurant Day Story
- Restaurant Day in Helsinki began as a citizen-led, pop-up street food event defying legal restrictions.
- It grew into a large, inclusive movement that transformed the city's food culture and inspired policy change.
Understanding Dark Matter in Design
- Dark matter in design includes unseen elements like policies, laws, and cultures that shape systems.
- These invisible factors enable or inhibit innovations, defining their equitable reach and long-term impact.
Design Beyond Physical Objects
- Design must consider not just physical matter but also systemic dark matter like regulations and incentives.
- Ignoring this often leads to unintended negative societal impacts, such as congestion from ride-sharing services.
