This 4-part series will explore the dramatic story of architect-led community change and its lessons today, as well as comparative models and approaches to design leadership that mobilizes engaged architects for community transformations.
“We are the last generation that can prevent irreparable damage to our planet,” noted United Nations General Assembly President Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garcés in 2019. Today’s climate crisis means our cities and towns serve as more than simply the hubs of economic and cultural vitality. In an era of climate change, our communities represent the central organizing mechanisms for the survival of humankind. This reality positions communities at the heart of our solutions to all the world’s most pressing issues, from the affordability crisis to a climate-friendly future. However, at the time we urgently need effective decision-making, a democratic crisis is contributing to political paralysis, controversy and loss of public trust in institutions the world over. Professionals must adopt a new democratic orientation that empower citizens to codesign solutions. Member surveys have demonstrated in the past that over 75% of architects believe community engagement to be important. We can’t afford to sit on the sidelines now. The stakes are too high. It’s time to recommit ourselves to public service, jump start the democratic process, honor the citizen architect tradition and galvanize the next wave of design leadership in our communities.
This series is intended for civic leaders, architects, and other design professionals looking to make a difference in their community.
Understand the guiding principles and methodology that CxD’s Design Assistance Teams employ to help communities reach more equitable and sustainable outcomes.
Gain a toolbox of urban design activism and use innovative community engagement techniques to reach new audiences and expand participation.
Explore comparative approaches to design leadership including the community design center model, Component-led design assistance model, university-led design assistant partnership, and others.
Understand how collaborative design and planning practice operates in the UK and internationally and how collaborative practice there compares and relates to similar work in the US.
Presented in partnership with Communities by Design (CxD).
Through decades of work in hundreds of communities with tens of thousands of volunteers and citizens, CxD Design Assistance Teams have proven that communities are at the heart of solutions to the world’s most pressing issues. Donate today to support this work.