The tragedy of the commons highlights that when individuals access shared public resources, they often act in self-interest, leading to resource depletion and degradation. This phenomenon is exacerbated by the sense of detachment inherent to non-places, which are characteristic of supermodernity, such as fast-food restaurants, waiting rooms, or shopping malls. While research has extensively explored the positive influence of place attachment, the drivers of negative behaviors in non-places remain insufficiently understood. This study addresses this gap by investigating the mechanisms underlying inconsiderate behaviors in non-places and exploring how these spaces can be reimagined to encourage pro-environmental and pro-social behaviors. Grounded in the Norm Activation Model (NAM) and the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), we identify six Design Requirements from existing literature to guide our analysis. Employing a Design Science Research (DSR) methodology, we then propose four actionable Design Principles aimed at enabling managers to foster sustainability in non-places. Our findings provide novel insights into the spatial production of sustainability and offer a practical framework for promoting considerate behaviors. This work contributes to the intersection of spatial design, behavioral management, and sustainability, equipping practitioners with tools to transform non-places into environments that encourage collective well-being and responsible resource use.
