This workshop will share a process to build community partnerships and to collaboratively articulate clear goals for community design projects that are rooted in elevating marginalized voices and challenging systems of oppression. Through a series of interactive, scenario-based activities, participants will reflect on the complexities of getting a project started with “nontraditional” partners. We will use tools such as stakeholder and resource mapping and partnership agreements to provide practical guidance while critically reflecting on ethical processes and equitable outcomes for creating strong partnerships. 

The Neighborhood Design Center (NDC) has practiced community based design, bringing planning and design services to communities in Baltimore City and Prince George’s County, Maryland for more than 50 years. We have found the only way our work is successful is to foster strong partnerships which value community time and expertise as equal to technical design support. In order to build a safe and trusted process to support design outcomes, common goals must be articulated by the group. NDC recognises that a large part of our process takes place prior to design. Our workshop will focus on the close work we do with groups to understand what they need and want from a project, their current and future capacity, and their connection to the wider community. Building trust, respecting difference, and active listening are key to the success of these partnerships as well as addressing power dynamics and positions of privilege. 


Learning Objectives:   At the completion of this course, participants will be able to: Explain the difference between a traditional client-architect relationship and an equitable partnership;  Demonstrate how to map stakeholders to understand power dynamics, as well as their own position in this map; Describe how to coauthor project outcomes and definitions of project success; and Critically assess and transform existing relationships into more equitable alliances.


Speakers:
Katryna Carter - Neighborhood Design Center
Sophie Morley, Intl. Assoc. AIA - Program Coordinator, Neighborhood Design Center
Allie O'Neill - Program Manager, Neighborhood Design Center


Credits:  1.5 HSW|LUs; 1.5 GBCI Credits (Self-Report)  1.5 AICP CM; 1.5 LACES