Can Design Directly Impact Civic Life? The Center for Active Design is Out to Show Us How

 

Photography: courtesy of the Center for Active Design
Photography: courtesy of the Center for Active Design

There’s perhaps no time in the U.S. when people are more attuned to civic engagement than during a presidential election year, and 2016 is no exception. But the (deteriorating) state of civic engagement has been under a microscope for the past several years, and for good reason.

2016.0829.CfADAssembly2.logoGrowing social and economic divides accompanied by a side of low voter turnout have made it difficult for communities to build trust and revitalize and reconnect neighborhoods and people.

The Center for Active Design has always pushed for better design through the lens of wellbeing. With its active design guidelines and other support efforts and events, it helps design firms use proven, evidence-based design elements to make their spaces, and the people who use them, healthier and more active.

Now, the CfAD is turning its attention to civic engagement. The Center recently announced the launch of “Assembly: Shaping Space for Civic Life,” an initiative to use place-based design as a tool to enhance civic engagement.

“In Tulsa, Oklahoma a former truck yard was transformed into Guthrie Green, a park that serves as a central hub for social and cultural events. Designed by SWA Group, Guthrie Green incorporates gardens, a central lawn, a pavilion, and interactive fountains. The site inspires community pride and civic trust, inviting a diverse array of visitors to participate in public life.”
“In Tulsa, Oklahoma a former truck yard was transformed into Guthrie Green, a park that serves as a central hub for social and cultural events. Designed by SWA Group, Guthrie Green incorporates gardens, a central lawn, a pavilion, and interactive fountains. The site inspires community pride and civic trust, inviting a diverse array of visitors to participate in public life.”

Funded by John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Assembly is a full-scale effort seeking to expand focus on the relationship between design and civic engagement. And similar to its work in active design, the CfAD plans to develop evidence-based design guidelines for civic engagement, set to release in 2018.

“Active design strategies trigger benefits in many realms – economic, physical, social, mental health benefits,” says Joanna Frank, founding executive director of the Center for Active Design. “It’s an interconnected web. And we [CfAD] always saw this through the lens of health, but the Knight Foundation has always seen it through the lens of civic engagement.”

To help bring more design professionals into the conversation, the CfAD has released a “project orientation” about Assembly, available on its website for free download.

“Despite troubling engagement trends, promising innovations are emerging across the country,” reads the project orientation. “Citizen-led initiatives are utilizing creative design strategies to mobilize residents and reinvigorate streets and public spaces. For example, Better Block initiatives are transforming neighborhood street life; citizens are installing their own wayfinding signage via Walk Your City; and polling locations are getting an upgrade from local artists through initiatives like Next Stop Democracy.”

Meanwhile, city planners and elected city leaders are recognizing the role of design, planning and policy initiatives in shaping public space.

Over the past two years, the CfAD has been gathering research and figuring out what already exists around this topic. Its research process will build upon historic precedents in investigating design and civic life.

“Walk Your City helps community members design and install their own informational street signs. In San Jose, Walk Your City signs are making it easier to navigate to neighborhood destinations on foot, facilitating access to local civic assets.”
“Walk Your City helps community members design and install their own informational street signs. In San Jose, Walk Your City signs are making it easier to navigate to neighborhood destinations on foot, facilitating access to local civic assets.”

What they’ve found out so far from their literature review and deep dive research effort and data analysis can be summarized in seven broad findings in:

>Walkable, mixed use neighborhoods

>Urban parks and plazas

>Natural elements and green spaces

>Signs of disorder

>Proximity and accessibility

>Community aesthetics and beauty

>Arts and social event programming

“We’ve done the research, and we’re confident that there’s a connection we can build upon between design and civic life,” said Ms. Frank. “The evidence is there that shows this connection, and we want to invite others to join the process in developing these design guidelines.”

The end goal of Assembly is to create more civically engaged communities. But first, what exactly do we mean by civic engagement? To help define our understanding of “civic engagement” and to identify metrics and design guidelines for success, the CfAD is focusing Assembly on four core objectives:

  1. “Kansas City's Better Block initiative revitalized a streetscape and created space for community gathering using temporary furniture installations, landscaping, and two-way bike lanes. The initiative inspired community members to become stewards of their block, and sparked dialogue about long-term urban design improvements.”
    “Kansas City’s Better Block initiative revitalized a streetscape and created space for community gathering using temporary furniture installations, landscaping, and two-way bike lanes. The initiative inspired community members to become stewards of their block, and sparked dialogue about long-term urban design improvements.”

    Civic trust and appreciation. Individuals feel they are a part of a collective civic identity. As such, they appreciate the value of public spaces and feel invited to participate. Individuals recognize local government and other responsible parties that provide and maintain collective civic assets.

  2. Participation in public life. Public spaces entice and provide the opportunity for contact and socialization with neighbors and strangers, facilitating equitable access and positive interactions among diverse groups.
  3. Stewardship of the public realm. Individuals feel responsible for public spaces and express that in a practical way, by advocating funding, and by participating in maintenance, programming and beautification.
  4. Informed local voting. Those who are eligible to vote feel informed about their choices, are registered, and cast a ballot in local elections. Individuals demonstrate their civic engagement in local politics by contacting officials, signaling support for issues, and exhibiting knowledge about the role of local government.

“Design has a measurable impact on behavior. Assembly will identify place-based design solutions to inspire acts of civic engagement.”

Assembly will explore design elements at a range of scales:

>Whole neighborhoods, including land use, street layout, transportation infrastructure, and open space.

>Specific sites, such as parks and plazas, community gardens, public buildings, local landmarks, and public markets.

>Components and objects, such as sidewalks, public art, plantings, street furniture, lighting, signage, and site-based technology.

“Greenbridge is an affordable housing redevelopment in King County, Washington designed by GGLO. Residents benefit from a well-connected network of bicycle and pedestrian paths that facilitate participation in public life. Community gardens create enticing opportunities for stewardship. Neighborhood identity and community pride are further enhanced through cohesive public art, outdoor furniture, and landscaping.”
“Greenbridge is an affordable housing redevelopment in King County, Washington designed by GGLO. Residents benefit from a well-connected network of bicycle and pedestrian paths that facilitate participation in public life. Community gardens create enticing opportunities for stewardship. Neighborhood identity and community pride are further enhanced through cohesive public art, outdoor furniture, and landscaping.”

The CfAD also found gaps in the existing research in design and civic engagement that they plan to fill.

“For example, how does the siting and design of public buildings impact civic engagement? How can technology and messaging be harnessed within the public realm to support civic dialogue?”

Part of Assembly’s goal will be to answer questions like these and share emerging findings as the research unfolds. It will focus its new research on public buildings, public infrastructure, place-based technology and messaging, and public programming.

“Ultimately, Assembly seeks to build a broad movement around design and civic life that will inspire a wide range of professionals and community advocates – from city officials and policymakers, to architects, planners, developers, researchers and organizers.”

Assembly is a natural next step for the Center, and we’re excited to see how the initiative progresses.