ABSTRACT
Design is a social art. People are complicated and knowledge about their relationships with the built world is full of ambiguity. Built places endure and tell their own stories. Designers, builders, and community members all have the power to make choices. Every one of us has limited time and energy to make contributions to the world and a responsibility to decide where to devote our knowledge and ability. In the interconnected global world, there is little doubt about the inequalities. The vast majority of the world's population lives in places with poor access to good food, potable water, safe shelter, education, health care and equitable political processes. Where resources are limited, the imagination and creativity of design can make a difference. The authors encourage not just designers and builders, but community members and leaders to explore the complex social questions of time and work toward answers that will make this a better world for all of us.
