peopleor

Peopleor is a neologism appearing in contemporary discourse to denote a people-centered approach across design, policy, and governance. The term blends "people" with the agentive suffix "-or," implying an actor, principle, or framework that prioritizes human considerations in decision making. Because it is a relatively new and informal coinage, there is no single authoritative definition; usage varies by context.

In design and product development, peopleor is often described as practices that emphasize user needs, accessibility, inclusivity, and meaningful user experience, aligning with human-centered or user-centered design. In policy and governance, the term is used to advocate participatory processes, transparency, accountability to communities, and sensitivity to local context. In broader discourse, it can function as a critique of systems that marginalize individuals or overlook social impact.

Variants and related concepts include human-centered design, people-first policy, participatory design, and user advocacy. Some writers treat peopleor as an umbrella term for approaches that foreground people in planning and evaluation, rather than a strict methodology.

Critics argue that the term’s vagueness can hinder precise application or evaluation unless accompanied by concrete methods, metrics, and governance structures. Proponents contend that it helps center human outcomes in debates over technology, urban planning, and public administration.

The term remains emergent, with occasional usage in academic articles, policy statements, and industry discussions. Related concepts include human-centered design, participatory design, and user-centered policy.