MÁS
Quarterly Magazine by MásDesign
your source for accessible urban planning & Design concepts
Our First Issue | public design
PERSPECTIVES Industry & Public Planning Community Engagement
Packed with a visual punch! | Diagrams, sketches & more
We’re highlighting Public Value Check out how.
FALL | 2021
Más is part of both the mission and services of MásDesign, a small urban planning and design organization geared towards increasing the public’s involvement in design via resources and engagement. Behind the scenes of MásDesign, you will find a one-person team passionate about problem-solving. I founded MásDesign this year after being inspired to introduce a more accessible approach to urban planning and design solutions. There seems to be a need for more direct service and collaboration, for education and a general understanding (more so on the designer’s part) that the public is a strong and essential partner. MásDesign believes in public empowerment and aims to strengthen the public’s knowledge of design and development so as to more effectively and sustainably work together. Whereas MásDesign is still very much in the works and figuring out its footing within the world of urban planning, urban design, and construction/development, it has planted seeds within the public design soil and fully intends to remain within the public domain for the cultivation of public value and wellbeing. Más is one of the various ways I hope MásDesign can reach out to multiple audiences within professional pools, communities, and the larger-scale public environment. Más is meant to provoke, intrigue, and spark collaboration and discussion between the designer and the public.
MásDesign’s Take on Public Design When PUBLIC VALUE is founded on and cultivated sustainably by a
PUBLIC SPACE you get Public Design.
Now, after weeks and weeks of deciding on content, creating and designing all the content, and laying out pages, I am stoked to share the first issue of Más with you. The theme, PUBLIC VALUE, truly is the foundation of MásDesign itself and the future it aspires to shape alongside and jointly with the public. As a source of urban planning, design, and business assets, MásDesign views public value as both fundamental and integral in the conceptualization and construction of public designs. PUBLIC VALUE essentially shapes MásDesign’s approach to public space. I have observed in case studies, precedents, trends, educational and professional publications, and as an actual user of public spaces, examples of designs and designers not quite achieving public value in the public context. I believe (via MásDesign and Más) a stronger emphasis on and highlight of the significance of public value, particularly in relation to public design, is a necessary aim and a necessary issue to bring to light, if we are to improve the public value within our public spaces. I appreciate your readership and hope you find intriguing and inspiring content within Más.
MaryDena Apodaca MásDesign Founder | Creator of Más
Contents 8
Rooting the Theme
14
Industry Perspective
16
Noteworthy Examples [Success & Non-Success]
22
Guest Perspective
26
Application
30
Concluding Thoughts
36
Call to Action
40
Sketch Look Book
42
Word on the Design Street
46
Resources
Más is published quarterly by MásDesign. subscribe for free at www.másdesign.com. EDITORIAL Editor in Chief MaryDena Apodaca
Main Content Creator & Designer MaryDena Apodaca
Article Contributor Daniel Cahalane If interested in contributing to a future issue of Más, please reach out via www.MásDesign.com.
Más
An Introduction
Más
MÁS = MORE | THE key PART defining A W
As a first generation to immigrant parents, I grew up exposed to the importan behind my family’s economic and social development. As an urban planner a highly relevant. More specifically, the design of communal spaces hold the sa backgrounds. I founded MásDesign and its business mission and philosophy immense roles in the construction and development industry because they c communities, and neighborhoods. Public designers serve (or at least ideally) and designs end up being something more. This thinking led to an obvious th MásDesign encompasses this theme and basis to the business’ values and go resilience of my immigrant parents, I opted to name my business using the S
Más is the MásDesign Mission (and all the resources and services developed f mission revolves around urban planning and design practices that are acces founder, design informs and is connected to vital aspects of life from housing with urban planning tools, resources, and designs in order to develop a large member of the public. Más may be just one piece of MásDesign; however, it is MásDesign to reach out to varied audiences and engage in conversation and and digital further enables discussion and awareness of key urban design an
Másdesign
Másdesign emphasizes the public. The pu communities Másdesign hopes to servic design PRINCIPLES
Más -
Public Value Comprehensive Solutio
mission experience vision
1 person team
SOURCING
The Más origin
WHOLE
Más is the Spanish word for MORE.
nce of community and was involved in the joint effort and designer now, I still believe the community factor ame vital importance in terms of people’s socioeconomic y off of this belief. Public designers, in particular, play can more directly impact individual lives within city cores, ) as something more and the outcomes of their services heme in my personal and professional beliefs: MORE. oals. In honoring my Hispanic roots and the sacrifices and Spanish word for “more”: Más.
from this mission), the More Mission. The MásDesign ssible, versatile, durable, and sustainable. I believe, as the g to green spaces. I, therefore, aim to provide the public er-scale knowledge base passed down from designer to s a crucial communication tool - it is an avenue for collaboration with multiple communities. Making Más free nd planning topics by being accessible to all.
Más in MásDesign = More Design. More Design = The MásDesign Mission More design democracy, more design versatility, more design possibilities all through a stronger professional and public partnership where expertise, resources, and tools are exchanged more freely, on equal footing, and applied to collaborative design solutions.
ublic represents the spaces & ce and help shape.
ons Place
Partnerships & Collaboration
Scales & Scopes
Sustainability
Public Value in Public Design is FUNDAMENTAL
Can public design without public value even be considered public?
R O O T I N G
The Theme
PUBLIC VALUE In Urban Planning & Design
Visions of bustling plazas, parks, and greenways filled with people pondering, resting, walking, lingering or passing through, conversing, or using interactive furniture come to mind when public spaces cross our paths. There is a thriving energy drawn from the congregation of people within these spaces and a sense of varying and constantly-changing communities within these public cores. When speaking of public design, public value is an inherent component, influence, and outcome. Although most prominent in urban planning and urban design, public space design is still highly relevant to other design principles, such as architecture and engineering. Building a well-educated understanding of and a solid relationship with the public and the public context is tantamount, as your design and development will be influenced by the public in one form or another. No design is ever a standalone when it comes to the public factor. MásDesign believes in an obligation for public designers to be more proactive and solution-driven in addressing weaker (in terms of pubic value) precedents and, simultaneously, being at the forefront of developing more and more successful public spaces (meaning these spaces are grown from and generate public value). If you are a contributor to the world of public design, ensuring public value in your public space and development is a necessary part of the job due to the direct impacts involved. A public space can unify or divide communities and alter socioeconomic characteristics of an area. If you find your public concepts and projects do not need to necessarily achieve public value, we would recommend reevaluating your approach.
What is Public Value? Public value comes in various forms and changes depending on the specific characteristics of a community or the demands and needs of smaller-scale public groups. However, there exists a baseline that is worth keeping as a reference. In many cases, public value in a public design can be described as high quality (durable and sustainable because the design represents the public well and meets the needs of the public), comprehensive (the design has been meticulously shaped to work for the public not for the design itself and much less against the public), and for mass, equitable use (for all members of the public, regardless of socioeconomic, racial, and neighborhood or location backgrounds). 8
Key Factors when Planning and Designing in the Public Sector
A Two-Way Street Approach 1 R e l A t i o n s h i p
Communication Development
Planner/Designer
The Public
Understanding the Public Role
Summary 1 Build an even relationship with the public.
Representation of Community & Generations of That Community
2 G u i d e l i n e s
Usability
| Two-way communication and design development.
Design Success or Failure
2 Work within public guidelines.
Sustainability & Durability
| Design with a clear understanding of public policy and needs.
The Public
Design Parameters: Regulations & Policies
9
A Diagramatic View of
PUBLIC
10
C VALUE Relates to public health & safety
There is a need to better understand and engage
User Input & Perspective i.e. public input and perspective
incorporates demographics, which build an understanding of the public’s characteristics
designing and developing public assets
Gauges parameters otherwise not included and Increases positive impacts since the design is effectively matched with public uses
Public Value
Greater impact in public design than private design
Leads to more comprehensive design
relationship-based i.e. building a relationship with the public and the public context
community factor - you are providing designs for communities and helping communities have more amenities and spaces - you are essentially building community value as a microcosm of public value
11
people
communities
accessible design
INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE ON PUBLIC SPACE & PUBLIC VALUE
THE PPS The focus thus-far has been oriented around MásDesign’s perspective on and definition of public value in the context of public design. As with any topic and discussion, it is crucial to incorporate other view points and interpretations. MásDesign would like to highlight the PPS (Project for Public Spaces) as an industry perspective, for they have extensively researched and developed strong expertise on public spaces and generally “what makes a great place” (the Project for Public Spaces) in the public environment. The PPS has made a noticeable effort in studying, evaluating, and expanding the understanding of pubic spaces, their various types, and both their successful and unsuccessful impacts. In fact, the PPS has built a database of public space case studies and has determined a large set of successful public spaces based on certain qualities. The PPS has noted several characteristics that make a public space successful; however, they emphasize the importance of four specific qualities:
1 Accessible 2 Comfortable with a Positive Image 3 Multiple Uses 4 Sociable
The PPS also notes a characteristic we encourage and advocate for at MásDesign: public space as a public meeting point and the “heart of a community” (the Project for Public Spaces). A successful public space is essentially a place with a crossroads of multiple neighborhoods partaking in the same physical space and range of designs and uses. 14
Great Places According to the PPS Image Credit: PPS.org | The Project for Public Spaces.
Convergence
Mixed Use
Pps public space example
Adaptable Stockholm City Hall | Stockholm, Sweden | Case Study from the PPS’ Great Public Spaces Case Studies Photo Credit: PPS.org | The Project for Public Spaces.
15
FRUITVALE BART STATION | OAKLAN
noteworthy examples successes Photo Credit: Visit Oakland
PERTH CULTURAL CENTRE | PERTH, AUSTRALIA
Commun Cataly Perth’s Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority (MRA) took on a placemaking initiative with the intent to add more mixed use and public spaces.
To further the understanding of public value and highlight the PPS’ work, MásDesign has pulled out a few case studies from the PPS’ Great Public Spaces to more vividly demonstrate the elements (and spectrum of elements) that coalesce, work together, and result in public value.
16
The Plaza de la Constitución is cen in the city of Oaxaca and contains five to different ne
The Plaza contains classic public de plentiful seating, landscaping elements anchors mixed uses and nation
Why Más noteworthy? Cultural, econo center with location value. The Plaz neighborhood crossroads - along with its Plaza has provided a foundation of e cultural preservation and grow neighborhoods it has historica
ND, CALIFORNIA The station is part of the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) system. Result of a four-year placemaking initiative led by the community directly and a community development corporation committed to social equity.
Transit Catalyst
Example of a successful transit-oriented project in addition to increased public design. Why Más noteworthy? Increased value and uses around public transit. The Fruitvale BART Station developed into an economic and community center for the neighborhoods around it. The uses and events now bread-and-butter to the Station reflect the culture and lifestyle of the local population who helped program and develop the placemaking efforts from the beginning of the initiative.
Key features of the Centre’s public design post initiative: rooftop parking converted to a community garden, abandoned water feature converted to natural wetlands, added play space, seating, and shading structures, and community outreach events such as exhibitions.
nity yst
ntrally located e access points eighborhoods.
Photo Credit: The PPS
Why Más noteworthy? The community factor. The MRA successfully added public design to the Centre in a way that engaged and still engages the community. The Centre now facilitates community gathering, which is a form of public value.
PLAZA DE LA CONSTITUCIÓN | OAXACA CITY, MEXICO Location Catalyst
esign features: s, shading, and nal festivities.
omic, and civic za is a place of s location, the economic and wth to the five ally connected.
Photo Credit: The PPS
17
SALESFORCE TRANSIT CENTE
exclusion Private setback
WHY A NON-SUCCESS? From public design face value, all seems square with the Salesforce Transit Center Park, no? It cannot be denied that the Park succeeds in incorporating a set of standard public space elements, such as gathering points, greenery, accessibility (from transit and street points), and areas for different activities and uses. However, introducing private affiliations into the development and design of public spaces can be problematic and lead to the compromise of public value. The Park faces two key public value strikes: 1) Private affiliation dictating the extent of public value - “...Salesforce paid $110 million to have its name on the transit center, even if it is a public space” (2018, Katharine Schwab | Fast Company). 2) Surveillance - the Park is patrolled by security known as “Ambassadors”, closed at night, loaded with security cameras, and contains multiple signs with the Park’s rules. All are elements of exclusion. 18
Low Public Value Once you begin excluding members of the public in your public space and design (whether based on common urban concerns such as homelessness or not), and begin introducing surveillance (which tends to signal distrust in the public), public value is very difficult to achieve. You cannot design for the public if you do not accept the public.
Noteworth
| Public Pla to the Sale
| Amphithe
| Walking T
| Botanical | Roof-Top
| Transit Co
1 Exce & Se
| Spec addre in the park c
There is a relfection of th that exists in the greater
ER PARK | SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
noteworthy examples non-success Photo Credit: The Salesforce Transit Center
hy Features
aza (connected esforce Tower)
eater
Trail
l Gardens Events
onnection
Although a public space, the Salesforce Transit Center Park was constructed via privately spearheaded development. The Park is part of the Salesforce Transit Center, which combines 11 bus lines in the area, is elevated (above the transit center), and spans four blocks. Overall, the Salesforce Transit Center Park brings a public space to the East Cut neighborhood which was previously lacking parks and green spaces.
essive Patrolling 2 Strict Rules ecurity | Is a public asset being mistaken
cifically cited to ess homelessness e area and keep the clean.
for a private asset? Is the private affiliation controlling the extent of public value and use in order to protect its private investment?
he socioeconomic divide urban fabric. -Más
Well-rounded analysis leads to a stronger grasp of a topic. Here, with public value in public design, MásDesign also highlights an example for contrast as a public value non-success. Our reason for picking this example: We believe exclusivity has no business in public design and is a guaranteed fail in achieving public value. 19
What do you think restricts public value in public spaces?
misrepresentation?
poor uses?
Your thoughts matter.
G Perspective u Public Value A Reflection e s t Public value is at the heart of the democratic process. Providing spaces that allow for a variety of people to gather, engage, and debate is necessary to public discourse. History has provided us with a wide variety of examples, ranging from the Roman Forum to the Spanish plaza; from the English commons to the New England town green. Public spaces provide the place for the various urban multitudes to cross paths and exchange ideas, leading to greater empathy and understanding.
to that space who could negatively impact property values. This ranges from the innocuous, excluding passive recreators from active playing fields, to the dangerous, excluding pedestrians from streets specifically designed for cars, to discriminatory, excluding young men of color from wealthy neighborhoods. All of these outcomes limit the diversity of voices allowed into an area. This turns discourse on a project with public value into argument in the name of protecting property values.
Free exchange of ideas and public value requires controlled chaos. Balancing these seemingly contradictory ideas requires building spaces that allow many different possible uses to attract many different types of people, while still providing sufficient openness, lighting, and social safety (eyes on the street) to ensure protection of property rights and physical safety.
Political control is defined by the topics and projects brought into the public discourse by politicians and political actors. Political actors delay, accelerate, include or omit details of developments to their short term political advantage. This pays lip service to the democratic process and prevents honest debate from occurring on a project and the generation of new ideas and perspectives on what is valuable to the public. Control of the narrative tends to favor those with economic power and leads to state action constraining discourse.
Fear of losing control is what inhibits the development and sustainability of public value in spaces. There are three types of control that are wielded to the detriment of public value – economic control, political control, and regulatory control as a response to individual fear. Economic control tends to be manifested as the exclusion of people deemed to be alien
experi divers space regula
Togeth politic the di the pu the to of use sustai slippe freedo under societ for tem freedo Frankl
There in defe contro
Regulatory control tends to crystallize economic and political control through a zoning ordinance. Euclidean zoning (single use) does not allow for a wide diversity of people to come to use a wide range of uses. Diversity of uses allows for diversity of
“together, the effect of too much economic, political, and regulatory cont of voices...and prevents the mix of uses required to attract people to a space
22
Types of Control Affect Public Value
Economic Control
Political Control
Regulatory Control
iences in a space, and therefore a sity of interactions, preventing public e weaknesses derived from virtue ation.
her, the effect of too much economic, cal, and regulatory control excludes iversity of voices necessary to advance ublic discourse, delays and obfuscates opics to discuss, and prevents the mix es required to attract people to a space inably in the long run. This becomes a ery slope where people trade a little om for temporary safety, eventually rcutting all public value of a space and ty at large. Those who trade freedom mporary safety end up with neither om nor safety, to paraphrase Ben lin.
efore, public design needs to be vigilant ending public spaces from creeping ol.
- Daniel Cahalane Daniel Cahalane is a practicing Planner in the U.S. with public policy and design experience.
Public Value is part of the democratic process.
“Fear of losing control is what inhibits the development and sustainability of public value in spaces.”
trol excludes the diversity e sustainably in the long run.”
23
Public V multi-elem achiev compre public d
Value is mental & ved by ehensive design
APPLICATION
diagram of multi-el
KEY 1
Standard urban block.
| Ideal Exterior Uses or Hedge Uses
Relationship At Frontage of Mixed Uses (e.g. eyes into the public space, store furniture, ample lighting)
Note: The location of your candidate block is also key to the success of a public space in terms of its public value. An ideal block will be at a crossroads of multiple neighborhoods, bringing in a stronger community factor.
KEY 2 | Ideal Interior Uses or Core Uses Ample and Varied Seating Green Elements or Water Features
Open, Flexible Area (for different event setup) Shading Structures
26
Single Family Housing
Access Points (easy, multiple)
lemental, public value features Mixed Uses
Mixed uses for economic and social value.
High Density Housing High Density Housing
Public Space
Public transit component or connection. Mixed Uses
27
Multi-Use & Multi-Purpose Design
Mixed Use Design
=
Mixed Use Design
With Community Substance
=
Public Design with Public Value
c
oncluding Thoughts on Public Value
Akin to a page taken out of a Due Diligence Handbook of sorts for public designers, the Más conclusion on public value begins with a set of recommendations. These recommendations are meant to serve as something useful you can walk away with after reading this issue, something concretely applicable, pragmatic and practical. More importantly, these recommendations are designed to be applied to any public design project that comes your way. After exploring definitions, viewing public value in action via successful and not so successful public spaces, navigating through industry perspectives, and thinking about the design elements that increase the public value in a public space, concluding with a public design tool that can be used and honed in achieving consistent public value seems like a solid move. Once the phase of thinking ends, the phase of action begins. The Más conclusion and recommendation comes in the form of public design building blocks, which can be thought of as a small kit of parts you can whip open whenever a new public design project arrives. The building blocks have been designed explicitly to keep you on the public value track with your public spaces.
recommended applicable approach public design building blocks that can be applied to every project for an increased public value outcome. These building blocks serve as due diligence when developing any public design project for the end result of public value. 30
public value necessitates the development of an applicable approach to projects. recommended BUILDING BLOCKS Foundational Entity This is the kick starter, the project lead, and the main source of public design expertise. The foundational entity is also essentially the main liaison to the public.
Funding Available funds or budget secured and designated for a public design project - this involves understanding the client’s resources and how these resources can be distributed.
Designated Development Area The identified and secured developable area (land, parcel, block, etc.) for the construction of the public design project.
Analysis & Policy Completion of various forms of analysis (site analysis, demographics, etc.) and the application of necessary policy parameters (zoning, land use, etc.).
Familiarity with Local Context Public and community outreach for learning about the local communities and their specific needs, concerns, and visions for their area and the addition of a prospective public design/space.
recommended use of BUILDING BLOCKS 1
Wee’r hirgl
2
We’rW h i’gl’
3
We’r higltnihCtc’kioluc’w’.gMá’lhts’DátFtd |.ir
Building Blocks
Given Public Design Project
Completion of Building Block Steps
Plan to filter through all the Building Blocks when a new project arrives.
Customize application of each Building Block. Every project is unique.
Also complete additional phases of the project development.
Final Concepts Shared with Public
Fulfill Policy & Regulation
Project Completion
Check policy and regulation requirements have been met.
31
c
oncluding Thoughts on Public Value
Why did MásDesign recommend building blocks as an applicable approach? Guidelines set parameters and direction. The same applies to design. For public space design, multitudes of building blocks exist to ensure public value is generated from a public space. The specific building blocks defined in the previous page were selected for a reason. Here’s why
the building blocks
Why Building Blocks? Building blocks serve as a general framework, rules of thumb, go-to methods. The building blocks recommended here are intended for the same purpose: guidelines. Although these public design building blocks can be applied to any project as a basis, it is crucial to remember customization is always necessary. Since we are working with the public and developing methods of partnership with the public along various phases of a project’s development, remembering the public is not the same across the board is key. Communities differ, people differ, issues and needs differ — therefore, it is critical these differences are reflected in your public design approach and development. Overall, these recommended building blocks are meant to reflect on the conversation of public value in previous pages i.e. a conclusion that a public designer would be wise to understand the public and incorporate this understanding in his/her principle design, policy, and development skills and methods in order to achieve solid public value. 32
1 Foundational Entity 2 Funding 3 Designated Development Area 4 Analysis & Policy 5 Familiarity with Local Context
Strongest Sources of Public Value In This Set of Building Blocks Public Engagement Familiarity with Local Context
Public Guidelines Analysis & Policy
Public Background Foundational Entity
y.
Knowing Public design Building Blocks for a Greater Public Value Outcome is Key. TWO GENERAL APPLICATIONS OF public design BUILDING BLOCKS I. The Most Common | Has Greater Public Value Success Public entity driven (foundation) with full building block variety. Many cases exist where a public entity is not well-connected to its communities and general public needs - the distinction has therefore been made that the public entity has a history of successful public communication and work.
PUBLIC ENTITY
A public entity’s existing background in public work is pivotal here.
[Public entity has a history of successful public work.]
II. Fairly Common | Can Be More Problematic in Terms of Public Value Private entity driven (foundation) with full building block variety. More ideally, this private entity partners with a public entity to increase understanding of public guidelines.
PRIVATE ENTITY [Private entity is wellversed in public spaces & public value.]
Ideal
+
PARTNERSHIP WITH A PUBLIC ENTITY
33
PEO
m a k e
OPLE cities, and it is to them, not buildings, that we must fit our plans. ~ Jane Jacobs
Call to actio
Although understanding public value a design in definition and example is very crucial to try applying this understandi
For this Call to Action, MásDesign encou following in your own practice (if you a
E N G A G E 36
Hold a public meeting via your local government and start a conversation
Present a design to the public directl stakeholders and clients).
There is a clear need for better under perspective and context - consider m and integrating the public view in yo
Develop a more comprehensive appr development - understand there are stakeholders, needs, and concerns li
THE
on
as an outcome of public y useful, it is equally ing.
urages you to try the are not already):
public agency/ n with the public.
ly (and not just to primary
rstanding of the public more directly engaging our projects (at any scale).
roach to your design and e both direct and indirect inked to your project.
PUB L I C 37
“85% of people polled stated that the quality of public space has a direct impact upon their lives and the way they feel.” ~ seen & heard demos
sketch look book
Public Space Furniture with P
Copyright © 2021 by MásDesign. All rights reserved. Please do not copy in any digital or physical form or via any digit
K E Y
Seating
gathering points
greenery
uses & activities
Social + Gr Cultivati within a Sp
1 Multi-Person Bench with Built in Planters
2 Single-Person Pullout Bench with Double Planter
3 Central Table with Double Seating & Double Pl
40
Public Value Elements - MásDesign Concepts
tal or physical method without permission from MásDesign. If interested in any of the designs, please contact MásDesign at www.MásDesign.com.
5 Large Central Table with Built-In Planter Paired
reen ion pace
with Two Large Planter Walls with Pull-Out Seating
4 Large Central Planter with Four Double Seats
lanter
6 Bench with Extra Palette
Seat & Planter Extension
41
Word on the Design Street
42
Current events, News, Views Do you enjoy reading up on urban planning, urban design, or general design news? MásDesign does, so here is a small scoop on what is going on in the greater environment with regards to PUBLIC VALUE.
Metropolis Magazine “6 Takeaways for Creating Beautiful, Just, and Resilient Places in America” By Anne-Marie Lubenau | May 19, 2021 https://www.metropolismag.com/cities/6-takeaways-inspiring-design-rudy-bruner-award/
Key Word: Social Infrastructure Drawn from a 14-week ‘Inspiring Design’ speaker series (a Rudy Bruner Award and Northeastern University partnership). Highlights a push toward more equitable urban areas and how that can be achieved more effectively. One particular takeaway MásDesign found relevant to public value is the series’ encouragement to generate social infrastructure, defined as “...social systems and networks that provide access to opportunities and resources, build local capacity, and foster community”. The recognition of the public as a community and the need to resource and connect this community is a public design approach that MásDesign believes leads to strong public value. Social infrastructure along with the other five takeaways highlighted by Metropolis Magazine reflect a great effort in achieving comprehensive public designs with an aim for the highest public value possible.
City of Greenville, South Carolina | Featured in Metropolis Magazine’s article. Photo Credit: Bruner Foundation [Via Metropolis Magazine]
43
so
ocial infrastructure
fosters community
R E S O U R C E S
Whether you are looking for precedents, researching methods, MásDesign has you covered in terms of resources. To pair with t value, check out the list below of top, comprehensive public de organizations have developed (or highlight the development of making public value strides within the urban planning, design, a
planning & design Project for Public Spaces Public Planning & Development | Public Space Design, Placemaking & Community Building https://www.pps.org/ Case Studies | Great Public Spaces https://www.pps.org/places
equitable cities Urban Planning & Public Policy | Initiatives Centered on Transportation, Health & Equity https://equitablecities.com
LA Más Urban Planning & Architecture | Initiatives Centered on Neighborhood Resilience & Working Class Communities of Color https://www.mas.la/
smart growth america Smart Growth & Community Building | Initiatives Centered on Equitable Economic & Social Development & Design https://smartgrowthamerica.org/ 46
or curious about visual styles, this Más issue centered around public esign resources. These companies and f) sound public design methods and are and policy fields.
News & Media Planetizen Urban Planning, Policy & Design |
https://www.planetizen.com/
Metropolis magazine Architecture, Design & Cities |
https://www.metropolismag.com/
Next City Civic-Oriented News Focused on Economic & Social Justice within Cities |
https://nextcity.org/
47
one step further ...design solutions that can build harmony... As a public designer, being a liaison to the public is considered to be an inherent part of the job. The liaison role, more so, is fundamental. Engaging, listening to, and jointly developing concepts (via meetings, programming, and outreach) with the public are key aspects to the public designer who effectively liaises and leads a project. However, let us take things a step further with the public designer as a liaison and introduce the role of a moderator and mediator. Being a liaison to the public often goes beyond the standard discussion skills and brings in the need for a liaison who can moderate and mediate. The public can have conflicts amongst its communities and various interest groups. Highlighting design solutions that can build harmony amongst varying public groups makes you a stronger public designer since this public approach leads to more enduring public spaces with public value designed and structured for all people (their differences included). Even if the public may signal a move toward forms of exclusivity, it is the public designer’s responsibility to recognize a project move toward exclusivity will not lead to a public space with public value. Introduce bridges between conflicting public groups and build a discussion oriented around bridges and the fact that the public space is intended to be a bridge or physical space for all.
Moderate
Mediate
public design I s
SUBSTANTIAL
L IVES ARE IMPACTED S
PACES
CAN UNIFY OR DIVIDE 49
Public Design Solutions | Public Resources | Public Products
Explore & Learn More at www.MásDesign.com