Participatory planning and design methods: History, theory and practice

Course Description: 

During this engaging mini-course, theory on participatory planning meets practice through an engaging workshop simulation. In more detail, this session offers a dynamic exploration of the history, principles, and real-world applications of participatory processes. In addition, an exploration of participatory methods and tools is included, concluding with an interactive workshop simulation.

Keywords: Participation, Stakeholders, Governance, Democracy, Decision-making, Community Engagement

This interactive course offers a coherent overview of the subject of participatory planning and design.

The main points of the course are:

• Understanding the historical and political context in which participatory planning began and developed
• Conceptualisation and understanding of the basic principles and methodology of participatory processes
• Presentation of good practices / applied european examples
• Familiarisation with the methods and participatory planning tools
• Workshop simulation

Learning outcomes: 

• Creative thinking – Innovations: Inspired by new ideas or combine existing ones to develop innovative, novel solutions for urban issues
• Develop strategies to solve urban problems: Develop specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize and accomplish work
• Interact with different stakeholders: Engage with others face-to-face in a wide range

Who is this course for:  This 90 minutes course is suitable for: a) Students with an interest in participatory methodologies in Planning (PhD Candidates, researchers etc.), b) Professionals, policy makers and experts such as urban planners who participate in the design process of city’s public spaces, public buildings, etc.

Specific Requirements if any, none.

Information about the course instructors and partners involved:

The instructors are members of the team of COMMONSPACE, which is a collaborative-interdisciplinary planning and design group which has been working on participatory planning since 2012 and has been operated as a Worker Cooperative since 2017. COMMONSPACE provides high quality services in the fields of Spatial Strategies, Architecture, Social Research, Urban and Environmental Design by creating or implementing innovative tools and processes. It seeks to be a link between citizens, social institutions, and public authorities, a hub for the exchange of knowledge, ideas and practices among citizens, experts and decision-makers.

Furthermore, COMMONSPACE has created a specifically structured methodology and a set of tools regarding Multi-Stakeholder Engagement Processes and Participatory Planning.

Instructors´ Names: Sofia Tsadari, Dionisia Koutsi
Instructors´ Institution: Commonspace