Naiara Yumiko's urban design/planning portfolio 2024

Portfolio

UN-Habitat

INTERN AT THE URBAN REGENERATION FLAGSHIP PROGRAMME 2023. KENYA

In 2023, I had the privilege of undertaking an Urban Planning Internship at the United Nations Human Settlement Flagship Programme - Inclusive Communities, Thriving Cities, situated at its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. My primary role was to contribute to the development of knowledge products focusing on urban regeneration and participatory planning. This experience proved invaluable as it not only allowed me to enhance my skills but also fueled my aspiration to contribute to international development.

Throughout my internship, I engaged in diverse collaborative efforts with various teams and programs within the agency. My key responsibilities included the development of the Catalogue of Tools and facilitating the integration of the Urban Regeneration Programme with Our City Plans through the formulation of a comprehensive set of Guidelines for Urban Regeneration.

I actively collaborated with different departments, showcasing my versatility and broadening my perspective on urban planning and development.

Some noteworthy collaborations included working with the communications team, where I contributed to the creation of graphics and participated in strategic discussions. Additionally, within the the slum upgrading program, I analyzed and reviewed existing tools and produced a paper on the synergies between Urban Regeneration and the Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme (PSUP).

My involvement extended to the SDG Cities initiative, where I reviewed material submitted by Portuguese cities seeking SDG certification. I also provided support for an event in Mafra, further reinforcing my commitment to sustainable urban development. Another significant collaboration involved contributing to the Nature-based Solutions Paper, where I engaged in collaborative writing with the urban climate action team.

Overall, this internship not only allowed me to contribute meaningfully to the UN-Habitat but also provided me with a rich and diverse set of experiences that deepened my passion for international development and urban planning.

GREAT Fellowship

RESEARCH FELLOW AT THE DPU SUMMERLAB 2022. COLOMBIA/UK

During my tenure as a Research Fellow in the DPU SummerLab 2022, I embarked on a twomonth journey to Universidad del Valle in Cali, Colombia. My purpose was to actively contribute to the Gridding Equitable Urban Futures in Areas of Transition (GREAT) project . Working diligently, I engaged in various activities aimed at its development. I was involved in the launch of PopuLab, a collaborative effort that brought together academics, local communities, leaderships, and representatives from Cali’s Secretary of Social Housing and City Council. As the fellowship drew to a close, I was offered a contract by Universidad del Valle to further expand the project’s deliverables. This included enhancing the visual communication of a series of policy briefs and designing an intersectional and interactive 3D mapping of four Barrios Populares in Cali’s Comuna 18. These tasks were crucial in closing the project, scheduled to conclude in September 2023. The DPU SummerLab is part of the University

College London’s MSc Building & Urban Design in Development in 2009. Since then, it has evolved into a broader DPU initiative, aiming to challenge conventional notions and encourage designers and researchers to play a significant role in promoting spatial justice within contested urban spaces. Collaborating with Universidad del Valle, DPU recently joined forces for the GREAT project, a 3-year research endeavor led by Lancaster University. Its primary objective is to instigate transformative changes in informal off-grid settlements located in Cali (Colombia) and Havana (Cuba). In Cali, our research is focused on four informal settlements in District 18: Alto Polvorines, La Arboleda, Pampas del Mirador, and Brisas de Las Palmas. Together, these settlements house approximately 10,000 inhabitants. GREAT seeks to unravel the dynamics of urban space production and explore how both ongrid and off-grid situations offer opportunities to redefine the relationship between people and urban infrastructure in areas undergoing transition.

recordings taken during PopuLab launching event and first workshops with local authorities and community leaderships

CONTEXT AND COMMUNICATION

1st steps

Engaging with Barrios Populares and other marginalized territorial configurations in urban contexts requires sensitivity. When entering unfamiliar yet resonant environments, it is crucial to approach them with care and awareness. Employing strategies such as active listening, genuine interest in the concerns of the communities, and tangible responses to their valuable insights is essential in establishing meaningful connections and entering the territories where I will be working.

During my involvement in the project, I had the privilege of directly collaborating with local leaders and a team of researchers who provided me with a comprehensive understanding of Colombia, Cali, and the barrios populares. In response to these initial interactions, I created a series of graphic records capturing the presentations and conversations we shared. These illustrations not only documented the wealth of information exchanged but also served as catalysts for future discussions and demonstrated my deep appreciation for their invaluable work.

Our Deliverables

POLICY BRIEFS

Based on our team’s engagement with the community and the positive reception of PopuLab’s proposals by the local media and the Secretary of Social Housing, the GREAT team decided to adapt the project’s primary scope. The focus shifted towards producing a series of Policy Briefs, incorporating the three-year-long research presented at the event. The GREAT Policy Briefs series consists of three types of documents, each catering to distinct objectives, scales, and target audiences:

- Topic positioning: These Policy Briefs provide insights on emerging topics that have yet to be addressed in policy agendas. They establish the conceptual foundations necessary for policy formulation. This type of brief is intended for policy makers, consultants, and researchers.

- Defining priorities according to the context: Based on empirical evidence, these Policy Briefs encompass specific territorial situations and their implications. Their aim is to guide the (re) definition of policy priorities using innovative methodologies. They primarily target policy makers and researchers.

- Guiding actions: These Policy Briefs synthesize findings from various experiences, offering tangible materials for interventions in different territories. They serve as practical guidance for policy makers, community actors, the private sector, and thirdsector organizations.

By diversifying the objectives, scopes, and intended audiences of the Policy Briefs, the GREAT team seeks to provide comprehensive and actionable insights that can drive effective policy development and transformative actions in the targeted contexts.

MEJORAMIENTO INTEGRAL DEL HÁBITAT COMO ESTRATEGIA PARA LA TRANSICIÓN

HACIA LA PAZ TERRITORIAL URBANA

Autoras: Catalina Ortiz Arciniegas, PhD. Profesora Asociada The Bartlett Development Planning Unit, University College London (UCL) y Ángela María Franco Calderón, PhD. Profesora Titular, Escuela de Arquitectura, Universidad del Valle

Colaboradoras: Arq. Mg. Naiara Yumiko, UCL y Arq. Laura Carrillo Cárdenas, Universidad del Valle

Teniendo en cuenta que en Colombia la mayor parte de las víctimas de desplazamiento forzado buscaron refugio en las ciudades, la dimensión urbana debe ser incluida en los procesos de reparación y restitución de derechos en un marco de justicia transicional y restaurativa. Bajo este enfoque, toma relevancia el mejoramiento integral del hábitat (MIH) como estrategia para la construcción de paz territorial urbana. Este instrumento contribuye a consolidar ciudades más justas mediante la provisión de vivienda digna, servicios urbanos básicos y acceso a oportunidades en los barrios populares autoconstruidos y puede apoyar a las víctimas del conflicto en su búsqueda de arraigo, identidad y memoria. Este Policy Brief presenta recomendaciones de política pública para que los tomadores de decisiones puedan articular el MIH y la construcción de paz con un enfoque de derechos, diferencial e interseccional que permita atender tanto a las comunidades urbanas vulnerables como a múltiples sujetos de reparación que llegaron a las ciudades en busca de nuevas oportunidades de vida.

Con base en los resultados del proyecto GREAT, esta serie de Policy Briefs presentan ideas, experiencias y recomendaciones, que tienen como objetivo contribuir al mejoramiento de la calidad de vida en los barrios populares. Las líneas temáticas que se abordan son mejoramiento integral del hábitat, movilidad y gestión integral de residuos sólidos mediante iniciativas de Basura Cero. Estos documentos están dirigidos a tomadores de decisiones, organizaciones del tercer sector, organizaciones de base comunitaria, profesores y estudiantes universitarios, investigadores y consultores, interesados en promover un futuro urbano más justo y equitativo.

BASURA CERO EN BARRIOS POPULARES: UNA APUESTA PARA LA JUSTICIA AMBIENTAL Y SOCIAL

Autoras: Ing. Lina Marcela Cárdenas Cleves, MSc e Ing. Anyi Milena Muñoz Chávez, Asistentes de Investigación, Universidad del Valle e Ing. Luis Fernando Marmolejo Rebellón, PhD. Profesor, Escuela de Recursos Naturales y del Ambiente, Universidad del Valle. Diseño y diagramación: Arq. Mg. Naiara Yumiko, UCL

Basura Cero es una estrategia que prioriza acciones para la no generación de residuos sólidos y en caso de producirlos, promueve su aprovechamiento y valorización, de tal manera que la cantidad enviada a disposición final sea mínima, incluso nula. Por ello, incentivar y fortalecer prácticas de manejo de residuos sólidos encaminadas a Basura Cero en barrios populares2, es una apuesta global para generar nichos de sostenibilidad en las ciudades haciendo frente a las problemáticas generadas por su inadecuada gestión, pues no solo apunta a la conservación de recursos naturales sino que también contribuye a alcanzar una justicia ambiental y social. Este Policy Brief brinda recomendaciones enmarcadas en seis líneas de acción para la inclusión de un enfoque de Basura Cero en políticas públicas, tomando como referente experiencias innovadoras que se llevan a cabo en los barrios populares, fundamentadas en el reconocimiento de los saberes locales sobre prevención, manejo adecuado y valorización de residuos sólidos y que aportan a la construcción de un mejor hábitat.

MEJORAMIENTO INTEGRAL DEL HÁBITAT

CON ENFOQUE INTERSECCIONAL MIH-I

Autoras: Ángela María Franco Calderón, PhD. Profesora Titular, Escuela de Arquitectura, Universidad del Valle, Arq. Gynna Millán Franco, PhD, Investigadora Postdoctoral Universidad del Valle, Arq. Mg. Ángela María Jiménez Avilés y Arq. Isabella Jaramillo Díaz, Asistentes de Investigación Universidad del Valle

Colaboradoras: Arq. Mg. Naiara Yumiko, UCL

Latinoamérica y el Caribe (LAC) es la región más urbanizada del mundo, con el 80% de su población viviendo en ciudades (CEPAL, 2012). Como en muchos países del Sur Global, las periferias latinoamericanas albergan un número importante de personas en situación de pobreza, incluyendo migrantes que han llegado por razones económicas o desplazamiento forzado. Estas personas han encontrado una opción de vivienda en los barrios autoconstruidos, pero tener un techo no garantiza calidad de vida. Para atender esta situación, los gobiernos han implementado programas de mejoramiento centrados en provisión de infraestructura básica, vivienda y titulación. Sin embargo, algunos proyectos desarrollados bajo este enfoque han desatendido factores sociales y culturales como la diversidad poblacional y el saber local. Este Policy Brief ofrece recomendaciones para implementar el Mejoramiento Integral del Hábitat con enfoque interseccional (MIH-I) como instrumento para formular proyectos acordes con las realidades locales, y presenta una síntesis de su aplicación en Cali, Colombia.

Con base en los resultados del proyecto GREAT, esta serie de Policy Briefs presentan ideas, experiencias y recomendaciones, que tienen como objetivo contribuir al mejoramiento de la calidad de vida en los barrios populares. Las líneas temáticas que se abordan son mejoramiento integral del hábitat, movilidad y gestión integral de residuos sólidos mediante iniciativas de Basura Cero. Estos documentos están dirigidos a tomadores de decisiones, organizaciones del tercer sector, organizaciones de base comunitaria, profesores y estudiantes universitarios, investigadores y consultores, interesados en promover un futuro urbano más justo y equitativo.

POLICY BRIEFS

Examples of illustrations and iconographies developed for the series.

Series of illustrations based on everyday sutuations and possibilities in the Comuna 18 neighbourhoods.

Graphic novel about issues of mobility that embrace aspects of economy, security, access to infrastructure and work.

Our Deliverables

INTERSECCTIONAL 3D MAPPING

Similar to our case study in Cali, informal land occupations are prevalent in urban landscapes across cities in the Global South. Due to the absence of regulations, limited access to essential services, and financial constraints, residents in these areas are particularly vulnerable to experiencing discrimination and oppression. Power imbalances that exist in these territories, as well as in established areas, are rooted in disparities among various identities, social classes, and geographical locations.

Taking an intersectional perspective allows us to examine how different forms of oppression and privileges intersect in complex ways. Recognizing the deepening inequities and inequalities, especially in the Global South, it becomes evident that new methodologies must be developed to embrace an intersectional analysis of realities. In this phase of our work, we showcase our use of cartography with an intersectional approach to illuminate the daily experiences of Comuna 18’s residents. Our goal is to shed light on the everyday practices and oppressive forces that shape this urban territory, understand the influence of individuals and groups, and visually and critically examine the dominant social structures that perpetuate these oppressive dynamics.

Visualisation of parts of the

Parada del Mio

Parada de la Guala/ Campero

Parada de Carros Piratas

Concentración de Motoratónes

Zona de principal acceso peatonal

Fácil acceso para personas mayores

Fácil acceso para personas con movilidad reducida

Zona de difícil acceso peatonal

Difícil acceso para personas mayores

Difícil acceso para personas con movilidad reducida

Calle que soporta movimientación vehicular

Calle de acceso principal

60% de los habitantes califican cómo malo o regular el servicio de transporte público en los barrios

Living Heritage

MORAVIA’S MEMORY AND MIGRATIONS. ACADEMIC WORK. COLOMBIA/UK

This work is a chapter that forms part of the bilingual publication, Living Heritage Atlas: A Tool to Rethink Moravia’s Future . It represents an international collaborative effort between community leaders, residents, grassroots organizations, academia, and members of Centro Cultural Moravia in Medellín, Colombia. The objective of this work is to recognize and illuminate the unique socio-spatial practices that have shaped Moravia’s territory and continue to define its living heritage. We delved into the continuous waves of migration in Moravia, which have been intertwined with historical internal conflicts that have impacted Colombia. Memory’s role as a catalyst for future urban transformations was explored, with the aim of safeguarding the continuity of the territory. Drawing from the narratives circulating within the streets of Moravia, where an array of diverse characters composes the neighborhood’s social fabric, this document captures the essence of everyday life. The cultural diversity present in Moravia is highlighted as a driving force behind the

neighborhood’s vibrancy. Additionally, the capacity for self-management, the richness of popular knowledge, and the various cultural expressions establish Moravia as a point of reference for the city.

We advocate for the recognition of Moravia’s social assets as both its living heritage and its legacy in the city’s development. Our strategy revolves around three key points: emphasizing the contribution of migration to the construction of Moravia’s territory, fostering Moravia’s identity as a host community, and highlighting the value of social innovation within the neighborhood. Through the implementation of three strategic actions on the ground, this work addresses current sociospatial challenges in the neighborhood while also creating a platform to ensure Moravia’s continued significance within Medellín’s urban landscape. With this endeavor, we aspire to add value and increase the visibility of Moravia’s living heritage, making a positive contribution to the city-making process.

ACTORS MAP AND MIGRANT NARRATIVES

Outside Colombia Origin

Medellin

Other city in Colombia

Reason of migration / displacement forced displacement looking for better life other

violence / armed conßict

To communicate and circulate collective memory we need to document and create space for dialog with videos, storytelling, photography, so that memory can be preserved for future

Moravia is a town inside the city with its every little tradition. We need to respect the fact that we’ve built our own territory with our own hands.

Facing new ‘Urban Renovation’. We have to remember what we are, what happened before I even arrived here. What were the past struggles and we are fighting for now.

The closeness of the people in Moravia is the memory of this neighbourhood that I cherished the most. When I was a child I used to like the novenas (pre-Christmas parties).

People live more in the street than they do at home! It is as if we all lived together, we see each other everywhere, in the shops, in the parties, playing board games, eating food...

My brother was killed during the armed conflict. Our family didn’t receive any threats but we decided to move away out of our own initiative.

Herradura

La

Memories are a necessity becausethey stay in your heart, and through them we can make sense of what isgoing on. They are even more valuable in a territory which is in constant change, so as to give people agency over the territory. Memory can heal, it also allows you to change the course of things

Memories are a necessity because I imagine it with more places where people can gather and share with the family. There´s a lack of schools which could give children a good start, especially for those whose parents have to work. I‘d like the neighbourhood being promoted ‘everybody’s house

If we don´t forget about all the efforts that have been made to arrive at the point where Moravia is now, i can see Moravia as a point of reference, very promising and resilient. I don´t see it as just another neighbourhood.

I think that something that hasn't been mentioned very often regarding Moraviais the existence of indigenous communities in the neighbourhood. Also, to see how different groups engage with each other and adapt to the paisa culture as well as to that from Moravias, which is very different.

You can read memory everywhere you look in Moravia, it is reflected in each corner, in each house, in the destitute, in the people that have been part of the struggle.

People in Moravia have treated me very well. I feel at home here. We people are all the same, the fact we are from Venezuela doesn’t make us different. In order to survive you have to adaptno matter where you are.

Moravia’s cultural life such as dance, music and food make it stand out from other places. So, in a way I could say that we have our ownlittle thing going. The neighbourhood is very diverse.

public space

STREETS BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER

‘Public spaces against urban fragmentation in Moravia”: Incentive interaction between Moravia’s sectors and from its borders with the outside by installing welcoming signs along with seating/ relaxing facilities and promoting public meetings. CDMC to provide resources for well designed communications with the community and engage in local arts and organisations such as the communal kitchen and the community garden/market.

MoR A V

IA

A SELF-BUILT COMMUNITY

EQUAL & ACTIVE ACTORS RECOGNITION CULTURAL DIVERSITY

SOCIAL INNOVATION

Conversemos Moravia - Mesa de Concertación para la defensa del território: Led by the community, inviting representatives of the municipality, thus contributing to Moravia’s discussion as a way that the local organisations “play at home” and drive the discussion according to the matters that are important to the community. Emphasises the community’s capacity to lead the socio-spatial changes in Moravia.

Support collective writing and publication of a series of children books about Moravia’s prominent people.

Equip Moravitas on a rotating basis with technology to produce memory/migrationthemed podcast.

Groups locals (grassroots orgs. and community members) to skillshare, inform and perform interventions around Moravia.

Create a “welcome committee” run by grassroots orgs.’ members. Ensure proper inclusion of newcomers within the community.

Establish a Moravia’s “Ministry of Human Renovation”: a portfolio of the spatial transformations led by the community.

Custom House

A QUEST TOWARDS TRUST, TRANSPARENCY AND FREEDOM. REPORT. UK

This project critically analyzes and presents an alternative proposal to the regeneration process undertaken in Custom House, London, UK, in 2019/2020. The report adopts a methodology centered around three key questions:

- What is the envisioned outcome for the residents of Custom House?

- How can this vision be translated into principles and guidelines for future interventions?

- What socio-spatial responses can be developed based on these guidelines?

The inquiry process employed a combination of community engagement and discourse analysis to identify gaps where the community’s actual expectations were not adequately considered. By assessing the current conditions shaping life in Custom House and envisioning potential future changes, we focused on two fundamental principles: Transparency and Freedom of Movement. For each principle, we established both a social and material dimension to guide the implementation

of the Vision. This was crucial in defining specific guidelines for subsequent strategic responses, ensuring that each intervention aligned with the envisioned future for Custom House.

Based on this comprehensive exercise, we presented a Development Brief that reflects the real urban context of the East London neighborhood, which was earmarked for redevelopment under the Newham Council’s leadership. The Council’s objective is to enhance the living conditions in the area. As students, our role was to critically understand the regeneration process and provide alternative proposals to the official plans. Given our respective positions, we inevitably experienced a sense of unease towards the market-driven interests that influence the area. However, by embracing the aspirations of the residents and delving into the complex power dynamics at play, we discovered alternative possibilities for future interventions

power structures recognition self-steem

FUTURE EXPECTATIONS CURRENT LIMITATIONS

envisioning urban alternative futures

VISION

freedom of movement trust democratic interaction

PRINCIPLE 1

Freedom of Movement

GUIDELINE FoM 1

improve infrastructure to grant safer mobilities to the multifarious dwellers

Response 1 Safety Networks for schools

Response 2 Activate Neglected Spaces

GUIDELINE FoM 2

Strengthen sense of community allowing more confidence in movement.

Strengthen relations and interactions across different groups of dwellers. inclusion for all

PRINCIPLE 2

Trust and Transparency

GUIDELINE T&T 1

Establish transparent communication to democratise urban transformations.

GUIDELINE T&T 2

Response 6 Spaces for Engagement and Participation

Response 5 Improvement to Counter Eviction

Response 3 Infrastructure for Safety

Response 4 Anti-eviction Mapping Project

Structure of the report and links between topics for future development

MAPPING ACTORS & TRANSFORMATIONS

In this project, our initial step was to identify and designate the key actors shaping the urban dynamics within Custom House during that period. We embarked on the notion that locating actors within space could not only influence discourses but also foster local networks for urban transformation and resistance.

The mapping of major actors clearly reveals a distinct spatial divide between community-led initiatives and those backed by international capital. This disparity becomes even more pronounced when overlaying proposed spatial transformations onto the map.

Our take

STRATEGIC RESPONSES

Based on our urban analysis, we devised a series of strategic responses to address specific issues in Custom House. These interventions involve collaboration among actors at various levels of governance, ranging from grassroots organizations to the Newham Council, and take into account the diverse expectations that residents hold for their living environment.

Through projects and policies, our goal is to reshape residents’ perception of uncertainty and transform the neighborhood into a safe and conducive place where they can envision their desired future.

It is important to note that these strategic responses are not intended to function as isolated solutions, but rather as interconnected interventions working in tandem with one another. This approach aims to provide a comprehensive response to the existing conditions in the area. The implementation timelines for each project correspond to the organizational efforts required to make them operational, as many of them are designed to become ongoing practices of urban governance and solidarity.

PROJECTS TIMELINE

The Anti-Eviction Mapping Project: an interactive mapping platform, in which residents can pinpoint different evictions that have taken place in the neighbourhood.

Date of your eviction

How long had you been living in this residence?

Where are you today?

Tell us the story behind your eviction

How old are you?

What is your gender?

What is your ethnicity?

Do you have any disability?

What is your yearly income? ADD ENTRY

TOTAL NUMBER OF EVICTIONS 2#6311

PROMOTE SPACES FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND ACTIVE PARTICIPATION

Regeneration Hub to enhance the relationship between dwellers and developers. A derelict shop located on the main street would serve as an open space for community encounter and a catalyst of community projects.

Counter Trajectories

MURDEROUS BORDER: MEDITERREANEAN MIGRATIONS STORIES.

This project emerged as one of the winners in the Counter-Territories International Urban and Art Competition organized by the Tajarrod Architecture and Art Foundation and Unit X. The competition aimed to foster critical understanding of urban planning and geographic contexts, with a particular focus on social and cultural aspects through the use of counter-mapping methodologies. For this endeavor, I collaborated with architect and urban designer Carlotta Trippa. Our project explores multiple scales and trajectories associated with migratory processes, specifically examining geopolitical dynamics in the Sahel region and its relationship with the Mediterranean Sea. By reimagining borders in their depth and considering the impacts of these circumstances on the body, we aim to provide an alternative perspective on Mediterranean migrations, delving into the violent journeys and enduring traumatic outcomes that extend beyond the arrival at the destination. We seek to map these dramatic experiences and expose

the political responsibilities tied to people’s lives.

Drawing on secondary data from European news agencies, ethnographic research, and interviews, we approach these trajectories from a feminist and decolonial standpoint. Our objective is to center bodies and emotions in the discussion, rehumanizing the experiences and offering a more empathetic approach that goes beyond homogenizing migrants as mere categories for humanitarian protection or statistics within a death toll database.

Our project challenges dominant migration narratives by highlighting migrant agency and resilience. We aim to amplify the diverse perspectives and lived experiences of migrants, disrupting power structures and fostering inclusivity. Through counter-mapping and an intersectional approach, we create spaces for empathy and social transformation, contributing to a more just world.

Favela Indiana

PARTICIPATION AND RESISTANCE. GRADUATION PROJECT. BRAZIL.

The Indiana Popular and Participatory Plan is a long-term project developed in phases, unfolding different processes and scales over time. It engages the direct participation of dwellers, national housing resistance agents, and the UFRJ School of Architecture and Planning. The project challenges the lack of community autonomy in traditional government-mediated processes, which have historically marginalized vulnerable populations. Instead, it positions popular participation as a potent negotiation tool, empowering communities in shaping their own urban futures. The context of Megaevents in Brazil between 2014 and 2016 exacerbated housing prices in Rio de Janeiro, reaching unprecedented levels. The commodification of land had severe consequences and posed a threat to the right to the city, particularly for those living in informal settlements. In response, this project emerged as a critical response to the Rio de Janeiro City Hall’s acts of forced evictions. The plan questions the

lack of evidence categorizing Indiana as a risk area, highlighting the unjust necessity of evicting all dwellers. Recognizing Indiana as a consolidated neighborhood becomes essential to challenge the violent process of forced relocation and counter the disruptive effects of urban territory financialization. Architecture professionals contribute technical expertise to serve the community, promote interdisciplinary collaboration, and advance spatial justice. Through this project, I gained valuable experience in participatory methods and socially engaged urban practice, highlighting the importance of community expertise and desires in participatory planning.

The Indiana Popular and Participatory Plan values community knowledge and aspirations in urban development. It fosters collaboration, empowers marginalized communities, and promotes transformative change in the urban landscape through participatory principles.

FAVELA

STRIKING FOR THEIR RIGHT TO THE CITY

NO TO FORCED EVICTIONS

MY HOUSE MY STRUGGLE

Recognizing the right to the city in informal settlements entails acknowledging the citizenship and agency of their residents. Citizen participation plays a vital role in realizing this right, as it empowers individuals living in informal settlements to actively engage in decision-making processes that affect their lives. By involving residents in urban planning, policy formulation, and infrastructure development, their knowledge, needs, and aspirations can be integrated, leading to more inclusive and effective solutions. Citizen participation not only fosters a sense of ownership and belonging within these communities but also helps bridge the gap between formal and informal urban areas, ultimately promoting equitable and sustainable urban development.

STRATEGIES TO FORCE EVICTIONS

BUILDING PARTICIPATION AND AUTONOMY

My take

All decisions made regarding this project stemmed from a series of workshops and events that I organized in collaboration with the Architecture school’s student office and community leaders. It was a lengthy process that required us to employ various strategies to engage people and address the issues that mattered to them, in addition to challenging the council’s eviction threats. In addition to working within the community, it was crucial to venture into other spaces alongside the community. To accomplish this, we proposed a series of talks in academic and institutional settings, which would be organized in conjunction with community leaders who oversaw our collaborative efforts. Furthermore, we organized leisure and family activities to attract diverse audiences from Indiana.

GOAL architects project

TRADITIONAL METHOD

PARTICIPATORY METHOD adaptable project handbook short term long term non adaptable

CEU

CASA DE ESTUDOS URBANOS. COLLECTIVE PROJECT. BRAZIL

The Casa de Estudos Urbanos (CEU) was a collectively managed space initiated by a diverse group of young professionals, including architects, urban practitioners, designers, cultural producers, and artists. The project aimed to critically engage with urban spaces and explore alternative ways of production and occupation, adopting a transversal and interdisciplinary approach to understanding the city.

Located in a historic colonial house in Rio de Janeiro’s city center, the Casa de Estudos Urbanos transformed an award-winning architecture office into a dynamic collective space for cultural and political debates, gatherings, events, and performances. Emerging in a post-mega-events period marked by economic and political crises, the house provided a platform for relaxation, social interactions, and creative collaboration, empowering participants to develop humannature-based urban design solutions.

Over a span of 2.5 years, the CEU hosted a series of artistic performances, community engagement events (Lanchonete, Festival de Verao, Abertura da Casa), workshops (Mostra o Seu Que eu Mostro o Meu and Imersoes Urbanas series), and political debates involving built environment professionals, active citizens, and politicians (ProvocAções and Cultura em Pauta debate series). The collective’s projects extended beyond the house and into the city streets, offering free and inclusive experiences such as an open-air cinema festival (Cine Mureta), a collaborative exhibition involving artists, designers, and street vendors (As Águas Vão Rolar event), and an interactive street-based theater performance (Sorte ou Revés). As one of the founders of this project, I have learned that when we come together to occupy public spaces, we discover opportunities to democratize and foster access to culture while engaging in profound discussions about the built environment.