Makin' It Happen

Autumn Term 2015
Thursdays 5:00 - 8:00 pm
3 credits  CR/NC

This interdisciplinary seminar will explore and implement a range of public participation methods, applied to watershed, neighborhood, and urban design scale projects.  Based on foundational literature and methods tested by the instructor and project leaders, we will interact with community members to elicit knowledge, values and desires, and facilitate active participation in visioning and designing their built environment futures.  Working with seminar leaders and the Green Futures Lab Workshop team, students will design, facilitate, document, and evaluate engagement in at least two public engagement events during the term.  We will be working with an active Kirkland neighborhood group, to set the foundation for their first Neighborhood Plan, and on a second project, with an advisory panel of local professionals, to envision a future town center for Woodinville, applying concepts from frameworks such as Living Communities, EcoDistricts, and LEED ND.

Students will be introduced to a range of participatory methods and tools, through presentations, visiting lectures, readings and shared experience. Students will take leadership roles and work in teams to plan and execute effective and enjoyable public participation activities.  We will meet weekly to discuss, plan and evaluate the success of our participatory listening and design charrette sessions, with some outreach events held during class time.  Transportation to off-site events will be available, and material production support will be provided by the Green Futures Lab Workshop team.