COMMUNITY ARCHITECTURE: SYNERGIZING PUBLIC SPACE AND COMMUNITY

EDUCATION (WIDANINGSIH & SARI, 2021)

The document discusses the concept of "Community Architecture" as a means of
synergizing public space and community education, drawing from a Participatory Action
Research (PAR) conducted in Cibeureum Wetan Village, Indonesia. The paper
emphasizes the importance of public participation in community development,
highlighting the need for a bottom-up approach to involve local communities in the
decision-making process. It underscores the potential of participatory design in fostering
sustainable learning and social change, particularly in rural areas. The study employs
the PAR method, involving participant observations, interviews, and community
meetings to understand the community's needs, potentials, and problems. The results
indicate a positive correlation between participatory design and collective awareness,
enhancing the community's social capital, economic activities, and overall optimization
of public space for joint activities.

Furthermore, the document explores the various dimensions of community involvement,

particularly in the context of planning and designing public spaces, providing alternative
learning opportunities for children, and empowering women. It underscores the
significance of public spaces as venues for social interaction, joint activities, and
learning, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, adolescents, and women.
The study details the process of planning and designing public spaces, emphasizing the
democratic and participatory nature of the decision-making process. Additionally, it
highlights the role of public spaces in facilitating alternative learning for children, offering
flexible and interactive environments for non-formal education. Moreover, the document
emphasizes the importance of public spaces in empowering women, particularly in rural
communities, by providing adequate space for various communal activities, including
local culinary production and entrepreneurship. The study showcases the symbiotic
relationship between the program and the community, where the program empowers
the community while the community sustains the physical space and program
foundation.

In conclusion, the document presents a comprehensive overview of the Community

Architecture concept, emphasizing the positive impact of participatory design on rural
communities. By integrating participatory approaches, the study demonstrates the
potential of community involvement in fostering sustainable learning, social
empowerment, and economic activities. The document provides valuable insights into
the significance of public spaces as catalysts for community development, underscoring
the importance of collective participation and empowerment in shaping the built
environment and fostering societal progress.
approach used by the author
The author uses a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach to conduct the study. This method focuses on
the needs of the community and involves the community in the research, design, and planning processes. The
PAR method integrates theory and practice, emphasizing the involvement of the community in decision-
making and problem-solving. It also aims to build a partnership between researchers and participants, enabling
continuous improvement and the identification of community problems to create grounded solutions. The
author emphasizes the importance of public participation and empowerment in shaping the built environment
and fostering societal progress. Additionally, the author highlights the significance of participatory design in
fostering sustainable learning, social empowerment, and economic activities, particularly in rural areas.
COMMUNITY ARCHITECTURE: THE USE OF PARTICIPATORY DESIGN IN THE
DEVELOPMENT OF A COMMUNITY HOUSING PROJECT IN THE PHILIPPINES
The document discusses the use of participatory design in the development of a
community housing project for the Donnaville Homeowners Association in the
Philippines. The study, conducted by members of the Community Architecture Network,
aimed to address the housing needs of informal settlers living in unsafe areas prone to
flooding. Through workshops and collaborative efforts, the community architects
engaged the families in identifying strategies to improve the design and layout of the
housing units, ultimately resulting in a desirable and affordable housing solution. The
participatory approach facilitated user acceptance and reduced rejection by the
stakeholders, highlighting the effectiveness of involving the community in the design
process. The study emphasizes the importance of community involvement in design
projects to ensure user satisfaction and address specific needs.
The introduction highlights the historical failures of government-initiated housing
projects due to the absence of community participation. It stresses the necessity of
forging a partnership between the local community and support organizations for
effective community restoration. The document emphasizes the increasing commonality
of involving stakeholders in various design development projects, particularly in urban
and community planning contexts. It also highlights the origins of participatory design in
the principles of participatory democracy, emphasizing the active participation of those
affected by the design process.
The research methodology section outlines the Participatory Action Design Research
(PADR) used in the study, detailing the six phases of the workshop, including problem
identification, evaluation of existing houses, site visualization and inspection,
visualization of house plans, and finalizing schematic designs. Each phase involved
active participation and collaboration between the community architects and the
homeowners, resulting in cost-effective and feasible strategies for affordable housing.
The document concludes by affirming the effectiveness of participatory design in
developing an affordable and beneficial housing unit for the Donnaville Homeowners
Association, emphasizing the importance of assimilating participatory design into future
design curriculum for planning courses at universities.
In summary, the document showcases the successful application of participatory design
in addressing the housing needs of the Donnaville Homeowners Association in the
Philippines. By actively engaging community members in the design process, the study
resulted in affordable and desirable housing solutions tailored to the specific needs of
the families. The document emphasizes the significance of community involvement in
design projects, underscoring the positive impact of participatory design in addressing
societal challenges and promoting user satisfaction.
- The Donnaville Homeowners Association in the Philippines sought to address housing
needs for informal settlers living in unsafe areas prone to flooding, with the assistance
of the Community Architects Network.
- The participatory design process involved workshops and collaborative efforts,
allowing community members to contribute to the design and layout of the housing
units, ensuring they were desirable and affordable.
- The community architects conducted surveys and interviews to identify spatial housing
needs and preferences of the homeowners, incorporating their input into the final floor
plans of the new houses.
- The participatory approach also involved site visualization and inspection, site
planning, and space analysis, empowering the community members to actively
participate in decision-making regarding the relocation site and house designs.
- The resulting housing project aimed to provide affordable, culturally appropriate, and
safe housing solutions, aligning with the specific needs and preferences of the families,
and empowering them to apply for financial loans through the foundation.

HOW DID THE USE OF PARTICIPATORY DESIGN BENEFIT THE DEVELOPMENT

OF THE COMMUNITY HOUSING PROJECT IN THE PHILIPPINES?
The use of participatory design significantly benefited the development of the
community housing project in the Philippines in several ways. Firstly, it facilitated active
involvement and collaboration between the community architects and the members of
the Donnaville Homeowners Association. Through workshops and collaborative efforts,
the families were able to identify strategies to improve the design and layout of the
housing units according to their specific needs and preferences. This approach ensured
that the resulting layout and schematic design of the housing unit were desirable and
beneficial to the families, ultimately increasing user acceptance and reducing rejection
by the stakeholders.

Additionally, the participatory design approach allowed the community members to

address their concerns and contribute to the alternative designs of their houses. It also
provided them with knowledge in building materials, cost estimation, and construction,
empowering them to actively participate in the decision-making process. The
participatory design workshops enabled the families to gain an understanding of
building materials, cost estimation, and the process of building construction, ultimately
leading to the development of cost-effective and feasible strategies for affordable
housing.

Furthermore, the participatory design methodology emphasized the importance of

imparting knowledge to the community, particularly regarding government regulations
on house standards. This educational aspect of the participatory design process
empowered the community members with valuable information, enabling them to make
informed decisions about their housing project.

Overall, the use of participatory design in the development of the community housing
project in the Philippines resulted in a housing unit that was affordable, responsive to
the unique requirements of the family members, and aligned with their cultural traits.
The collaborative approach of participatory design not only addressed the housing
needs of the community but also validated the effectiveness of community planning,
emphasizing the importance of assimilating participatory design into future design
curriculum for planning courses at universities.

HOW DID THE PARTICIPATORY DESIGN PROCESS CONTRIBUTE TO THE

INCREASE IN USER ACCEPTANCE AND REDUCTION IN REJECTION BY THE
STAKEHOLDERS IN THE COMMUNITY HOUSING PROJECT?
The participatory design process significantly contributed to the increase in user
acceptance and reduction in rejection by the stakeholders in the community housing
project through active involvement and collaboration with the community members. The
Participative Design Workshops allowed the families to address their concerns and
contribute to the alternative designs of their houses, ensuring that the resulting layout
and schematic design of the housing unit were desirable and beneficial to the families.
This active involvement empowered the community members to influence the decisions,
leading to increased user acceptance. Additionally, the participatory approach provided
the families with knowledge in building materials, cost estimation, and construction,
enabling them to make informed decisions about their housing project. The resulting
housing unit was affordable and responsive to the unique requirements of the families,
aligning with their cultural traits. The collaborative approach of participatory design not
only addressed the housing needs of the community but also validated the effectiveness
of community planning, emphasizing the importance of assimilating participatory design
into future design curriculum for planning courses at universities. Therefore, the
participatory design process facilitated a sense of ownership and empowerment among
the stakeholders, leading to increased user acceptance and reduced rejection of the
housing project.
TOWARD THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE OLD COMMUNITY:
PROPOSING A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK BASED ON MEANING CHANGE FOR
SPACE REDESIGN OF OLD COMMUNITIES AND CONDUCTING DESIGN
PRACTICES (XING ET AL., 2022)
The document "Toward the Sustainable Development of the Old Community: Proposing
a Conceptual Framework Based on Meaning Change for Space Redesign of Old
Communities and Conducting Design Practices" discusses the challenges faced by old
communities in urban environments and proposes a conceptual framework for
sustainable urban development. The paper emphasizes that traditional approaches to
urban space transformation, such as large-scale demolition or micro-renewal, have
failed to address the continuous deterioration of old community spaces. It argues that
the key to achieving sustainable development lies in recreating the contemporary
meaning and value of old community spaces. The study is based on the theory of
meaning change and presents a conceptual framework comprising four steps: analyzing
social changes, identifying changes in the meaning of community spaces, recreating the
meaning of old community spaces, and redesigning physical space based on the new
meaning. The framework is validated and refined through a case study of a block in
Rongxiang, Wuxi, China, demonstrating the effectiveness of the approach in creating
spaces aligned with people's lifestyles in the new era.

The article introduces the concept of "meaning change," emphasizing its potential in
addressing the challenges faced by old communities. It delves into the changes in the
meaning of space due to economic development, population migration, and population
age structure change. The case study of the Rongxiang block in Wuxi illustrates the
application of the conceptual framework. The study highlights the importance of
recreating the meaning of old community spaces by transforming them into "Living
Fields" for daily activities, "Memory Fields" of the place spirit, and "Full Aged Fields" for
generational balance. The redesign strategies aim to revitalize the community spaces,
enhance residents' sense of belonging, and promote sustainable urban development.
The proposed approach involves preserving site memory, creating multi-functional
spaces, and fostering interaction among residents of different age groups.

In conclusion, the paper provides insights into the significance of meaning change in
redefining old community spaces and presents a comprehensive conceptual framework
for sustainable urban development. The study's findings offer valuable implications for
urban design approaches and emphasize the need to address the evolving meaning of
community spaces to achieve sustainable development in urban environments.
The document presents a conceptual framework for urban design based on the theory of meaning change,
aiming to address the challenges faced by old communities in urban environments and promote sustainable
urban development through the recreation of the contemporary meaning and value of old community spaces.

MAKING ARCHITECTURE RELEVANT TO UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES:

MAPPING RECONSIDERED (KIM, 2022)
The document discusses a project in architecture focusing on promoting community
engagement and implementing strategies for inclusive and socially responsive practice.
It draws inspiration from Public Interest Design (PID), architecture as spatial agency,
and democratic design. The project involves mapping, addressing barriers in
underserved communities, and emphasizing social justice values. The study evaluates
the impact on project participants and the community, acknowledging limitations and
contributions to architecture and interdisciplinary literature.

Key points
 The project is centered on promoting community engagement through mapping and
implementing strategies for inclusive and socially responsive practice.
 Inspiration is drawn from Public Interest Design (PID), architecture as spatial agency,
and democratic design.
 The study evaluates the impact on project participants and the community,
recognizing its contributions and limitations in the field of architecture and
interdisciplinary literature

Approaches Used in the Project

Mapping Strategies: The project team utilized various mapping strategies such as re-
presentation, storytelling, and rediscovery of the familiar to engage both local
knowledge experts and technical knowledge experts.
Research-in-Action: Research-in-action involved small-scale, short-timespan research
to test design ideas, repeating the process to inform design as often as time permits.
This approach allowed for practical research execution by designers and residents in a
mutually beneficial manner
CONCEPTUAL ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN AT SCALE: A CASE STUDY OF
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION USING CROWDSOURCING (DORTHEIMER ET AL.,
2023)

The study explores the effectiveness of a crowdsourcing system in producing

conceptual architectural designs in a real-life project. It utilizes a novel approach to
involve the community in the design process, aiming to achieve high-quality designs
and high participant satisfaction. The study involves a case study of the Innovation,
Culture, and Education (ICE) building at the ZHR industrial park in northern Israel. The
research evaluates the crowdsourcing process based on the quality of the designs,
cost-effectiveness, user satisfaction, and the ability of non-professional participants to
choose the best designs. The study also addresses challenges such as achieving
consensus, determining when the design process should stop, and the decision-making
process for integrating user input.
The results indicate that the crowdsourcing process yielded designs of similar quality to
those produced by expert architects in a design competition. The community members
were able to influence the final design by voting and providing feedback, demonstrating
the value of the "wisdom of the crowd" in early conceptual design stages. Additionally,
the study found that the crowdsourcing process allowed for high participant satisfaction,
providing fair compensation to freelancers and promoting community engagement.
However, the research also suggests that the participatory design process should not
progress beyond the conceptual stages, as minor deviations in the design become
harder to evaluate by non-professional participants. Moreover, challenges such as
achieving consensus and determining when the design process should stop were
identified, providing insights for future improvements in the crowdsourcing system.
In conclusion, the study presents a comprehensive evaluation of a novel crowdsourcing
system for architectural design, offering valuable insights into its effectiveness, cost-
effectiveness, user satisfaction, and the decision-making process. The findings highlight
the potential of crowdsourcing in producing high-quality designs while involving the
community in the design process, and provide important considerations for refining the
system in future applications.

what approach used by the author

The author used a novel crowdsourcing system to automate large-scale
communication between architects and a community of project stakeholders to produce
an architectural design for the Innovation, Culture, and Education (ICE) building at the
ZHR industrial park in northern Israel. This system involved two crowdsourcing
processes: one for design generation and exploration through a professional design
competition, and the other for collecting and aggregating feedback and opinions from
the project stakeholders. The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach
in producing high-quality designs, generating community engagement, and ensuring fair
compensation for participating designers. The results demonstrated the success of the
crowdsourcing process in producing high-quality designs and generating high
community engagement, while also highlighting the limitations and challenges of the
approach in real-life projects.

what approach used by the author

The author used a novel crowdsourcing system to automate large-scale communication
between architects and a community of project stakeholders to produce an architectural
design for the Innovation, Culture, and Education (ICE) building at the ZHR industrial
park in northern Israel. This system involved two crowdsourcing processes: one for
design generation and exploration through a professional design competition, and the
other for collecting and aggregating feedback and opinions from the project
stakeholders. The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach in
producing high-quality designs, generating community engagement, and ensuring fair
compensation for participating designers. The results demonstrated the success of the
crowdsourcing process in producing high-quality designs and generating high
community engagement, while also highlighting the limitations and challenges of the
approach in real-life projects.