Applying the design discipline towards urban security challenges was a first. A topic traditionally kept amongst vertical, tech-oriented security experts, security benefitted here from a new human-centered viewpoint. Working in ecosystem, advocating for a multi-stakeholder engagement strategy, designers advised for a greater integration of security devices into the urban environment to avoid its “bunkerization.” Various sub-disciplines of design were leveraged as potential responses to improving urban security: graphic design to elicit universal, legible instructions, able to function in a diversity of European public realms. Game design based on “play to learn” principles to debunk myths and provoke conversations; social design that pushes citizen participation to include vulnerable populations; street furniture that simplifies security devices setup in situation of crowd management and offer a new typology of objects that could also provide efficient communication surfaces.  

But the greatest impact design has had was the repeated recognition of our project in EFUS’ literature as an innovative case study, several invitations to panels during the European Security Week in Nice, participation in the annual EFUS conference (Security, Democracy & Cities, Fall 2021 in Nice) including a booth conceived and held by students showing outcomes of the two chapters of this initiative, without mentioning publications in international media.