The so-called ‘Sustainability’ proposals in the built environment are not ‘sustainable’ if they don’t listen to the voices of those who inhabit them. The voices of citizens, travelers, users, viewers, and many more, transform projects into thriving hubs of culture and resilience. When communities actively participate, architecture evolves beyond structure to become a shared experience, and a medium for connection. Let’s try to understand why the ‘sustainable lens’ is not to be limited to Environmental sustainability, but also to Social and Economic viability.
Understanding the Power of Community Engagement
Community involvement nurtures a sense of responsibility for Sustainable Projects. Communities are living systems that are rooted in relationships and collective efforts. Architects and Urban Designers bear the heavy responsibility of designing spaces that can bridge gaps and inspire collaboration, building not just projects but also Communities. Ownership is a big motivator for people to maintain these spaces. In Japan, young children are not taught to have selective ownership and say “My house” or “My Car”, rather they are inspired to take ownership of the entire City. “It’s My City” is what they proclaim! This is one of the many reasons why Japan’s citizens are so conscious about the sustainability of their immediate environments, taking proactive steps in doing their parts, while also collaborating with Urban Practitioners for a viable Urban Ethos.
Public Spaces Curated by Community
What better way to infuse a sense of ownership in the community than by involving them in the design phase, making them the custodians of the projects? A project in Copenhagen, The Superkilen demonstrates the power of participatory design. This urban park invited residents to choose objects from their home countries, integrating them into the landscape. Ninety objects from fifty-nine nations turned the park into a dynamic celebration of multicultural identity. Immigrants found belonging in these familiar elements, while the city embraced a vivid narrative of diversity. Today it stands as a cultural mosaic where individuals from various backgrounds feel recognized and included. This participatory approach embraces the complexities of identity in urban spaces, showing how shared ownership can transform public areas into symbols of unity.
The Power of Community-Run Spaces
There is a perspective that historical buildings are often abandoned because their original use becomes redundant to the community, as time passes. These pieces of cultural heritage can be transformed into community hubs through Adaptive reuse leading to the recreation of use cases for such spaces for their sustenance. When the community takes on the role of custodians for such spaces, they manage and protect them more effectively. Mumbai’s Ice Factory in Ballard Estate stands on such a type of Adaptive reuse initiative. Mumbai-based Architectural firm, Malik Architecture revitalized this century-old industrial site into a vibrant public venue. Exhibition halls and a café now serve as gathering spots, inviting locals to connect. By exposing brick walls, adding stone cladding, and using steel elements, the architects retained the structure’s raw character. This approach ties the design to the city’s heritage, evoking memories and fostering a connection to South Mumbai’s history. The Ice Factory enriches the city’s cultural fabric, blending historical respect with contemporary needs. The Ice Factory project exemplifies architecture’s role in fostering community dialogue, while also ensuring economic viability for sustenance. Exhibitions and events held in the factory, reflect the city’s diversity, turning the once-abandoned space into an urban intersection of stories and people, and generating enough cash flow for the structure’s upkeep.
Embracing Technology for Participation
Technology creates opportunities for wider community participation. Construction Drawings and Project DPRs are not something that can be easily comprehended by the general public. To make people understand and participate, designers and other stakeholders would need to embrace technology, with tools like virtual reality allowing residents to visualize projects and provide real-time feedback. With the advent of AI and its democratization, there is a huge opportunity for empowering the community. People would now have the power to transform their ideas into concrete concepts, and to hold discussions with Urban Bodies and Designers. Social media is used by millions. It gives voices to the general masses and enables grassroots movements to influence projects. These innovations encourage involvement at every stage of the Sustainable Projects, reflecting people’s aspirations in the outcome.
Challenges of Collaboration
Collaborating with communities also has occasional challenges. Differences in opinion can pop up leading to slower progress, and limited resources might often complicate matters further. Success demands open communication and patience. Architects and Urban Practitioners must balance diverse perspectives to shape cohesive solutions. Reconciling varied expectations is a common hurdle. Residents might prioritize aesthetics, while city officials focus on budgets. Bridging these gaps requires clear dialogue and transparent processes. Engagement also demands time and effort. Workshops, surveys, and discussions often extend timelines. These steps, however, are vital for creating Sustainable Projects that genuinely serve their users. The reward, a place that resonates with its inhabitants, justifies the exercise.
A Future Designed by The People & for The People.
Community-driven projects transform the responsibility of sustainability into a shared mission. It involves listening to people, celebrating their stories, and embedding their identities into the spaces they inhabit. Architects that work with communities, create thriving places with the acknowledgment of the social context. They become storytellers, weaving community narratives into the fabric of their designs. This ensures spaces resonate personally and culturally, evolving into memorable experiences. The Public should also step up their efforts in reaching out to the urban authorities. Instead of passively waiting for actions from others, individuals should take the initiative and actively pay attention to the events and changes occurring in their localities. Engaging in discussions and debates within their communities would allow people to express and clarify their collective aspirations. By doing so, they would be able to effectively advocate for their interests and become active stakeholders in sustainable projects. Embracing this approach challenges architects to rethink their roles, inspiring designs that stand as enduring symbols of unity and resilience.
Sources:
Abdel, H. (2023) If.be Ice Factory Ballard Estate / malik architecture, ArchDaily. Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/1004691/ie-ice-factory-ballard-estate-malik-architecture (Accessed: 11 January 2025).
Team ArchDaily (no date) Superkilen / Topotek 1 + big architects + Superflex, ArchDaily. Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/286223/superkilen-topotek-1-big-architects-superflex (Accessed: 11 January 2025).
