Look Around You

Public safety in shared spaces depends not only on infrastructure, but also on our connection with one another. Look Around You is an interactive intervention designed by S.A. de Vries at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), aimed at improving women’s perception of safety in train stations through collective awareness and shared responsibility.

Recent research reveals a concerning reality: 9 out of 10 women feel unsafe in train stations in the Netherlands. Factors such as poor lighting, lack of social oversight, and the presence of suspicious individuals lead 40% of women to avoid public transport at night.

Look Around You proposes an innovative solution that uses technology and psychology to encourage prosocial behavior through “connecting mirrors.” These are interactive mirror installations placed on train platforms, leveraging the natural human tendency to look at ourselves in mirrors. When a traveler walks by and looks at their reflection, the mirror subtly transforms into a screen displaying a video of another traveler.

The project does not aim to replace traditional security measures, but to complement them by creating an environment of shared responsibility. By blending one’s own reflection with the attentive behavior of others, it promotes awareness and builds an invisible network of mutual support.

Take at look at the video!

Take a look at the exhibition poster!

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