ABSTRACT
There is a long tradition of university students working in communities in the design and planning disciplines (Angotti, Doble, & Horrigan, 2011; Schuman, 2006). This work takes many forms: community-based work through university-based community design centers, critical theory-inspired studios, design-build studios, and public-interest design (Dutton, 1991; Feldman, Palleroni, Perkes, & Bell, n.d.; Pearson, 2002; Wing, 2006; Winterbottom, 2011). Most if not all such activities are centered on disadvantaged neighborhoods, and the work is focused on improving the built environment and through it the quality of life of the residents of these vulnerable neighborhoods. The range of work spans visioning exercises, conceptual design for specific projects (like improvement to parks/squares or storefront designs), development of revitalization plans for city centers and downtowns, and design and construction of usually smaller-scale elements.
