Branden Klayko reports on experimental efforts in the emerging field of service design, which aims to improve interactions between public services and their customers through research, advocacy, and technical assistance.
Klayko writes about a new Brooklyn-based non-profit called Public Policy Lab (PPL), who seek to "improve efficiencies between the public agencies and their audience, while also saving money", by looking at the ways in which agencies, such as the DMV or Post Office, interact with their customers through the design of their physical spaces, forms, and products.
PPL is currently working on a project with Parsons' new interdisciplinary service design program, the DESIS Lab, to improve the flow of information and communication between the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and its clients.
According to Klayko, "While service design has long been employed in the private sector, [PPL executive director Chelsea] Mauldin believes this approach has broad applications in the public sector. She said service design is picking up where public space design began several decades ago."
FULL STORY: Streamlined

Legendary Parking Guru Donald Shoup Dies at 86
Urbanists are mourning the loss of a dynamic voice for parking reform and walkable cities.

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

Federal EV Charging Program Suspended
The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program planned to fund the construction of hundreds of EV charging stations across the country.

Federal Funding Cuts Spark Concern Among Wildland Firefighters
Federal firefighting forces, already underresourced, are being slashed even as wildfires become a year-round problem.

A Sustainable Future for LA: Updating the OurCounty Plan
Los Angeles County is updating its Sustainability Plan to refine its vision for climate action, environmental justice, and community well-being, with residents encouraged to participate by taking the OurCounty 2025 Update Community Survey.

A Troubling Trend of Backlash to Bike Lanes
Some cities are going so far as to rip out protected bike infrastructure that took years of advocacy to build.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
City of Bakersfield
Standridge Inc.
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service