ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a university–community partnership to improve greenspace in Phoenix, Arizona. Greenspace is an important component of combating climate change in this desert city as native vegetation can provide cooling, among other benefits. In this project, a group of researchers from Arizona State University partnered with a school teacher from Academia del Pueblo, a middle school that serves predominantly Latinx and low-income students, to imagine better and greener futures for their community. Through the use of photovoice, scenarios, and storyboarding, students named the concerns and strengths of the community and envisioned desirable futures. This chapter introduces the term ‘barrio innovation’ as an approach to innovation that is based on design thinking but rooted in and driven by community.
