Altering Practices in Design through Community EngagementAltering Practices in Design through Community EngagementTahlor Cleveland, University of California, San Diego, Urban Studies and Planning ProgramTahlor Cleveland, University of California, San Diego, Urban Studies and Planning Program

March 13, 2014 – March 13, 2014 – Special Thanks to David Flores & Casa Familiar, Inc.Special Thanks to David Flores & Casa Familiar, Inc.

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Object of Study: The Uses of Participatory Architecture in Marginalized Communities

What you Examined The community of San Ysidro and the work done by the non-profit organization, Casa Familiar.

Abstract:This project seeks to identify the benefits in altering current design practices, particularly in marginalized communities. It will look at current uses of community engagement through the design process to further sustainability of communities and to build social capital. Through the examination of comparative case studies on the architectural design process and methods used by community organizations, the following research identifies strategies in participatory architecture that will result in authentic demand without the sacrifice of design excellence.

Significance•Links new literature concerning authentic demand to increasing literature and concerns within the field of architecture over participatory architectural design.•Brings into the conversation, issues surrounding sustainability, especially within affordable housing, another hot topics in Urban Studies and Planning. •Overall, all of these issues currently beginning to see increases in discussion within the scholarly world will be addressed through my case study of the Rose Fellowship which strives for sustainability, community engagement, and design excellence.

Definitions

•Participatory Architecture - An approach to design attempting to actively involve all stakeholders in the design process and procedures in order to help ensure the product meets their needs.

•Authentic Demand – the product of various strategies that will produce leadership, social networks, community organizing, and civic participation and is visible in residents power in presence in decision making, equal knowledge with others (politicians, organizers, etc.), resources and voice in matters, connection to constituent groups, and accountability

•Community Engagement - Engaging people so they see the connection between their work and the larger agenda of shifting power to the community

Conclusion

Through this research studies, it was found that Casa Familiar and David Flores are on the right track toward fostering the correct processes for participatory architecture and authentic demand. It cannot yet be concluded that authentic demand can result from community engagement in design practices. The various case studies mentioned throughout this study have proven that design excellence as well as sustainability can be maintained while making use of community engagement in the development and design processes. It has also been found that it will take architects, planners, government officials, and all other parts of city and community development working together, using these approaches to the development process to include community engagement and truly help in creating authentic demand.

Meets Minimum Requirements (15 pts); Meets Preferred Requirements (20 pts); Exceeds Requirements (25 pts)

Ahsan, Nilofer. Sustaining Neighborhood Change. www.aecf.org/mcguides.aspx.  Outram, Christine. "What Starbucks Get That Architects Don't." https://medium.com/what-i-learned-building/a844ec3343da.  Benfield, Kaid "Architcture, Public Responsibility, and the Art of Listening." http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/kbenfield/architecture_public_responsibi.html.  Enterpise Rose Fellowshiphttp://www.enterprisecommunity.com/solutions-and-innovation/design-leadership/rose-architectural-fellowship

Canmore Place. http://www4.rgu.ac.uk/sss/research/page.cfm?pge=32988

Casa Familiar. http://www.casafamiliar.org/

Notable Sources

Methods: Case Studies

Case Study (Role) UKAHC Comparison Theoretical Findings

David Flores (Architect) Canmore PlaceEngagement within the Design Process

David Flores & Casa Familiar (designer/NGO)

ASSIST ArchitectsRole of NGO’s within facilitating community engagement

The figure to the bottom left is the metric used to measure the level of engagement during the design process to determine how engaging the expert (architect, city official, non-profit) is being.

The following case studies (to the left) are applied in comparison studies to better examine the various roles within the design process (see Stakeholder participation Process Chart)

Each case study is then applied to the Participatory Process Metric and Authentic Demand Metric.

Spatial Dimension

The spatial dimension sets my research apart from the work done by the UK Arts and Humanities Council provides a sense of importance to the subject as these communities on the outskirts face the most adversity. The community of San Ysidro is a marginalized community because of its historical placement in the in-between, as the gateway community between Tijuana and San Diego and also because of its geographical distance from the city center of Downtown San Diego.

Authentic Demand Metric