ABSTRACT

The intention of the workshop is to stress the relatedness of research to implementation, particularly since it is appropriate to explore new and more effective methods for designers to intervene as agents of environmental change. The primary focus of the project is on the identification and implementation of strategies, for the improvement of substandard housing conditions in rural areas. Initial studies of rural housing markets revealed that new construction, except in rare cases of public housing, was totally inaccessible for the rural poor. The major problem facing the environmental design professions is one of integrating the activities of design, implementation, and evaluation in a manner that contributes to the resolution of an immediate problematic situation while advancing students' understanding of the processes and consequences of environmental and social change. The adult members of the school community–parents, teachers, board members–also were involved in similar activities in addition to a “learning objectives” game.