Course 03: Designing with Communities: Methods and Tools for Community Engagement Processes in Architecture

POCAA  facilitated a 10-day workshop at Korail community titled ‘Designing with Communities: Methods and Tools for Community Engagement Processes in Architecture’, which explored participatory tools and methods in community architecture. The course participants include young practitioners, experienced architects, community development enthusiasts, and local stakeholders from the Korail settlement, creating a collaborative experience. A key theme was the shift from designing for communities to designing with them.

With support from UrbaMonde and ACHR, POCAA has been organizing a series of ‘Learning by Doing’ sessions. This was the third phase, held in collaboration with Nogor Abad in Korail. Blending online lectures, field visits, and on-site activities the course was delivered in a hybrid format.

Knowledge Sharing Sessions:

The participants got the opportunity to learn first-hand from the Practicing community architects both national and international. The experts shared their experience of working ‘WITH’ the communities in diverse contexts. Each of their stories explored a niche of community-led actions. From using community mapping as an empowerment tool, Documenting the community stories in innovative ways to co-creating with nature, the participants got a glimpse of the impact of community architecture world-wide.

On-site activities:

The goal of the course was to make the participants aware of the communities that reside in informal urban contexts and implement their engagement plan with the communities. “ No Survey , without service.” Was the motto of this workshop. Based on their observations of Korail and personal values the participants came up with ideas. The topics ranged from sanitation and hygiene to women and children’s safety, streetscape transformation, and shared public spaces. The feedback sessions focused on aligning intentions with practical, community-responsive methods. Each group began designing their intervention, assigning tasks, and imagining creative engagement strategies. Hands-on group work was supported by the mentors, and plans were shared for review and refinement.

Final Event and exhibition:
Finally, the last day came with an open exhibition for all. The three groups presented their process and proposals to an audience of community members, children, and POCAA members. Community members provided feedback, asked questions, and shared their views.