ABSTRACT
Designers increasingly recognize the need to develop design processes that consider local perspectives and experiences in pursuit of equitable public spaces for community inclusivity. Among many participatory and co-design practices, cityLAB, based at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), leverages small-scale design to facilitate civic connections and expand the public realm. This chapter presents three projects to demonstrate how small interventions in the city can catalyze community engagement, shared interests, and civic improvement while serving as a prototype for further urban transformation. These projects demonstrate how “starting small” in research, practice, and teaching can aid designers, community members, and advocates in co-creating tools and strategies that are accessible, engaging, and cumulative, thus, socially sustainable.
