This studio was aimed at reviving the association between an urban space and its residents through spatial intervention. To address the complexities of designing in shared urban spaces, it introduced students to processes involved in co-designing in an existing settlement.
Students engaged the residents in process of design through methodical interaction. In a step-by-step process they designed visual tools and learnt verbal communication skills to involve none-designer end-users in design process. Using these interactive communication tools, they received, recorded, and communicated back spatial qualities and design ideas in visual language that is easy to grasp by community members. Consequently, students produced design strategies and alternatives with community, then analyzed information from community in maps, drawings, and diagrams meant for design audience. Design response was expressed through strategy plan, intervention design, and stakeholders’ tactical diagram.
Using these tools students designed a process to respond effectively to community’s needs and co-produce a vision for future with them. The knowledge from everyday experience of residents complements students’ holistic outlook as designers to arrive at a participatory design response. The studio was an investigation in the role of design as the agency to strengthen associations between people and urban spaces.
