ABSTRACT

This chapter introduces several partially overlapping public interest design practice models to students and practitioners in architecture, urban design, and allied disciplines, as well as participants in community development. It provides combined research strategies for triangulated, grounded and empirical investigation to clarify complex phenomena and complement the typological study. Architects who follow the model focus on humanitarian crises around the world and on helping meet the urgent daily needs of people in unfortunate circumstances, such as war, earthquakes, or hurricanes. Architects, especially those who have technical expertise in developing software, are the key players in open-source design. Participatory Action Research and Practice (PARP) focus on the generation and application of practical knowledge. It incorporates participatory action research, ethnomethodology, and civic social assessment in anthropology and sociology into place making.