IndyEast Promise Zone :: Architectural Thesis (ROUGH DRAFT)

INDYEAST PROMISE ZONE A NEW URBAN ARCHITECTURAL APPROACH FOR THE FUTURE

INDYEAST PROMISE ZONE A NEW URBAN ARCHITECTURAL APPROACH FOR THE FUTURE

CHRISTOPHER PADGETT

MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE THESIS :: BALL STATE UNIVERSITY :: 2016

Special thanks to my thesis advisors for their expert advice, knowledge, inspiration, and support: Wes Janz (Major) Janice Shimizu (Minor) Also, to the numerous people I interviewed and countless others that have taken the time to provide insight and guidance through this process.

“Agents are neither completely free as individuals, nor are they completely entrapped by structure.

Spatial agents are neither impotent nor all powerful: they are negotiators of existing conditions in order to partially reform them.

Spatial agency implies that action to engage transformatively with structure is possible, but will only be effective if one is alert to the constraints and opportunities that the structure presents�

-Anthony Gidden

CONTENTS ABSTRACT

13

PROJECT PROPOSAL

15

SITE RESEARCH

25

METHODOLOGIES

61

PRECEDENT STUDIES

69

ENGAGEMENT PROCESS

89

LITERATURE REVIEW

110

REFERENCES

121

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this research is to investigate how to apply architectural services to lower-socioeconomic citizens and improve their quality of life. The rate of poverty has drastically increased over the years from income inequality, disinvestment, and job migration to name a few. Majority of people cannot afford the high architectural rates and receive an inadequate level of services to fulfill needs of the community.

Particularly, I’m going to focus on the Promise Zone area of Indianapolis located on the eastside. The promise zone designation is defined as, “…high poverty communities where the federal government partners with local leaders to increase economic activity, improve educational opportunities, leverage private investment, reduce violent crime, enhance public health and address other priorities identified by the community.”

As an architect, I do not want to come in with predetermined ideas and try to push it upon people. My plan is to take a listening approach where I engage community members and try to identify needs through them. The participatory planning process will engage people through town hall meetings, community organization meetings, formal interviews with civic leaders, and informal interviews with neighborhood residents.

Once a priority has been determined, I will establish an efficient process of how to apply architectural services to design and build a small project that fulfills the communal need. In addition, federal grants that are applied for within the promise zone area are given high priority. The research will investigate grant applications and writing procedures to possibly gain greater resources. Overall, I hope to establish a process that effectively identifies community needs and ways to apply architectural services to improve the quality of life for lower-socioeconomic citizens. The process can be implemented at an architectural firm to promote pro-bono work and increase public relations.

13

PROJECT PROPOSAL

Architectural culture has fixated on the static properties of objects instead of more volatile aspects of buildings, the human condition. The modus operandi of an architect is to add a physical structure towards a problem but issues are best resolved within the dynamic social structure. A movement has spawned within the profession to radically expand upon traditional modes of practice and focus more on social and environmental justice issues. Attention will be given to create community-centered environments, products and systems to build capacity for a stronger web of resiliency.

Moreover, social and environmental justice architecture can adopt the notion of “praxis.”

The concept starts with an open-ended evaluation of the particular external conditions, out of which action arises with no predetermined outcome but with the intention to be transformative (Awan, Schneider, and Till 29). The ideology of praxis also dismisses the outdated architectural structures of “critical” theory and practice. Critical architecture revolves around its own concerns and obsessions thereby creating a deeper disconnect with society.

Production and occupation of social spaces is a shared enterprise. Contribution from others should be recognized which therefore dismisses the notion of an architect as having expert knowledge or authorship. Decision-making capabilities should include a much broader social context instead of a dictatorship of specialists. The idolization to be a celebrity “starchitect”, or being the all-knowing, creative genius, has isolated the profession from critical real-world issues.

For the most part, the role of an architect has been reduced to a technical facilitator with decisions made by a client. A few privileged practitioners have the freedom of creative process while many others administer contract documents or resolve design issues. The reactive approach can be greatly expanded upon to be more proactive through a multi-faceted engagement process. Architects can increase their opportunities by taking on a multitude of roles including designer, planner, builder, engager, consultant and/or policy-maker.

17

To take it even further, Rory Hyde identified more emergent roles for an architect that include: the massive changer; the civic entrepreneur; the whole-earth architect; the double agent; the historian of the present; the urban activist; the contractual innovator; the near future inventor; the strategic designer; the management thinkers; the community enabler; the new Amsterdam School; the professional generalist; the architect as public intellectual; the educator of excess; the editor of the beyond; and the environmental medic. Architects are highly creative individuals who can forge their own pathways and should not settle for a limited, reduced role.

A possible solution to identify emergent roles within particular communities is the concept of “agency.” Agency is described as the ability of the individual to act independently of the constraining structures of society to identify opportunities within it. However, agency and societal structure are not two independent, opposing conditions. Both are eternally linked but identifiably separate. Anthony Gidden was quoted as saying, “Agents are neither completely free as individuals, nor are they completely entrapped by structure. Spatial agents are neither impotent nor all powerful: they are negotiators of existing conditions in order to partially reform them. Spatial agency implies that action to engage transformatively with structure is possible, but will only be effective if one is alert to the constraints and opportunities that the structure presents” (Awan, Schneider, and Till 31).

The main focus of my final project is to identify how an architect can intervene and provide service through the IndyEast Promise Zone initiative located on the Near Eastside of Indianapolis. A Promise Zone is described as, “high poverty communities where the federal government will work with local leaders to increase efforts to achieve neighborhood created goals and priorities. The goals are centered on creating affordable housing options, creating jobs, increasing economic activity, reducing crime, and improving educational opportunities.” (jhbcc.org) Benefits of being a Promise Zone include five AmeriCorps VISTA members, a federal liaison to assist with federal programs, technical assistance from federal agencies, and preference points to secure federal grants.

19

The main attraction to the Promise Zone initiative is the implementation of preferences points which act as “extra credit” for a grant proposal to improve the applicant’s competitiveness in the grant process. (jhbcc.org) Promise Zones target strategic areas within the nation that have the highest levels of poverty, unemployment, and structural vacancy, among others, which desperately needs a fusion of economic and developmental growth. The large-scale collaboration and approach will increase the quality of life for lower socioeconomic citizens within the community.

As a part of my final project, I implemented a community engagement process and will continue the efforts into next semester. A blog was created to openly share my exchange of knowledge. So far, eleven posts have been made with four others pending.

The proactive initiative seeks to take a listening approach where I engage community members and try to identify needs through them. The participatory planning process will engage people through town hall meetings, community organization meetings, formal interviews with civic leaders, and informal interviews with neighborhood residents.

Once a priority has been established, I hope to establish an efficient process of how to apply architectural skills with my construction background to design and build a small project that fulfills a communal need.

21

SITE STUDY

RATE OF PO ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES

+ LOWER SOCIOECONOMIC CITIZENS

15.4

+ QUALITY OF LIFE

15.4

OVERTY

ARCHITECTURAL RATES 8 - 15% OF PROJECT

4%

4%

$60 - 125/HOUR SF

$2 - 5/SF

25

CITY OF INDIANAPOLIS PLANNING TIMELINE

GINI

QUALITY OF LIFE PLANS

SUPER BOWL VILLAGE

MILE SQUARE 1821

PLAN 2020

PARKS & BOULEVARD 1907

1800

1900

+

+

+

RECENT EXPLOSION OF DEVELOPMENT

PROMISE ZONE

BICENTENNIAL PLAN

SUPER BOWL SUPER PLAN BICENGINI VILLAGE BOWL 2020 TENNIAL 2012 2014 2021 2006 2011

AMATUER SPORTS CAPITAL 1976 2000 2015 PROMISE ZONE

27

INDYEAST PR

The promise zone designation is defined as, “…high ment partners with local leaders to increase econ leverage private investment, reduce violent crime ties identified by the community.”

ROMISE ZONE

h poverty communities where the federal governnomic activity, improve educational opportunities, e, enhance public health and address other priori-

29

Benefits of a Promise Zone: 1

FIVE AMERICOPRS VISTA MEMERS

2

FEDERAL LIASON FOR OPPORTUNITIES

3

FEDERAL AGENCY TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

4

FEDERAL GRANT PREFERENCE POINTS

L

LIVE INDYEAST

WORK INDYEAST

BUY INDYEAST

SAFE INDYEAST LEARN INDYEAST

31

JOHN H. COMMUNIT

CITY OF INDIANAPOLIS EAST 10TH STREET CIVIC ASSOCIATION ENGLEWOOD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORP. INDIANAPOLIS HOUSING AUTHORITY INDY NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING PARTNERSHIP UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL INDIANA

BONER TY CENTER

INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS (IPS) INDIANA UNIV. PURDUE UNIV. - INDIANAPOLIS (IUPUI) LOCAL INITIATIVE SUPPORT COPORATION (LISC) NEAR EAST AREA RENEWAL (NEAR) WESTMINSTER NEIGHBORHOOD MINISTRIES

33

PREFERENCE POIN

Preference Points serve as “extra cant’s competitiveness in the gran provided to an organization that ca one or more of the Promise Zone g

APPROVAL FROM: CITY OF INDIANAP

NT

credit� for a grant proposal to improve the applint process. Preference point certification will be an demonstrate how their program/project meets goals and sub-goals.

POLIS + LEAD ORGANIZATION + GOAL COMMITTEE

35

PARTICIPATING FED DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING DEPARTMENT OF LABOR DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY

DERAL AGENCIES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION NATIONAL & COMMUNITY SERVICE

37

465 65

74

70

465

65

70

RURAL STREET

69

REET

ST WASHINGTON

74

5

39

NEAR EASTSIDE

NEIGHBORHO

FLETCHERLIPPENCOTT

RURAL STREET

SPADES PARK

BROOKSIDE

WOODRUFF PLACE

WINDSOR PARK

COTTAGE HOME

SPRINGDALE

ST. CLAIR PLACE

RIVOLI PARK

ENGLEWOOD

REET

ST WASHINGTON

HOLY CROSS

ARSENAL HEIGHTS

WILLARD PARK

TEAR UNITED

OODS

PROMISE ZONE

LITTLE FLOWER

GRACE TUXEDO

EMERSON HEIGHTS

RURAL STREET

OTTERBEIN

BOSART-BROWN

REET

ST WASHINGTON

= PROMISE ZONE = NEAR EASTSIDE = OVERLAY AREA

41

POVERTY RATE

UNEMPLOY

50%

50%

25%

47% 21%

15%

AN

A

5.4%

IN

D

IN

DI

.A .

U. S

DY EA ST

NA IA IN D

SOURCE: UNITED STATES CENSUS BUREAU

IN

PO L

NA

IS

5.5%

IA IN D

U. S

.A

.

15%

25%

SOURCE: BUREAU OF LABOR STATIST

EDUCATION ATTAINMENT (INDYEAST)

YMENT RATE 50%

25%

A

NO

HS

DI P

LO M HS

DI P

LO M

A

E CO L

LE G

D. SO M E

GR A CO LL EG E

DY EA ST IN

IS AP OL

AN

DI

19%

12%

5.0%

TICS

34%

32%

24%

SOURCE: LISC NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY MONITORING REPORT

43

DEVELOPMENTS

465

PRO 69

65

74 70

74 70

465 65

OPERTY ASSESSMENT

GENTRIFICATION

PROPERTY VALUES

DISPLACEMENT OF LOWER SOCIOECONOMIC FAMILIES AND SMALL BUSINESSES

PROPERTY TAXES

45

VOICE & VISIONS

COMMUNITY CO

ONNECTION

RECIPROCAL ENGAGEMENT

47

BOTTOM-UP APPROACH CITY CAPITAL

COMMUNITY CENTER NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS COMMUNITY MEMBERS

49

COMMUNITY CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT

51

DESEGREGATE SOCIOECONOMIC CLASSES

465

69

65

74 70

74 70

465 65

LOWER SOCIOECONOMIC = MIDDLE SOCIOECONOMIC = HIGHER SOCIOECONOMIC =

S

DISTRIBUTE TAX BASE

465

69

65

74 70

74 70

465 65

1) FREEZE PROPERTY TAXES 2) TAX INCREMENT FINANCING (TIF) 3) LONGTIME OWNER OCCUPANT PROGRAM (LOOP)

98% ARCHITECTS ONLY AFFECT 2% OF HOUSING MARKET TRADITIONALLY, ARCHITECTURAL RATES TOO HIGH FOR MOST FAMILIES

EXPAND THE ROLE OF ARCHITECTURE:

DESIGNER

PLANNER

BUILDER

COMPETITION!

TYPICALLY, ARCHITECTS HAVE A REACTIVE APPROACH 1) SOLICITED BY CLIENT FOR PREDETERMINED DESIGN PROBLEM 2) MAGICALLY WIN A COMPETITION AMONG MANY PARTICIPANTS

ENGAGER

CONSULTANT POLICY-MAKER

55

WONDERING WANDE

ERER BLOG

57

METHODOLOGY

METHODOLOGIES COLLECTION OF INFORMATION The final project was informed through multiple research studies that include primary, secondary and tertiary sources. Information was garnered through a literature review, precedent case studies, observation, and an engagement process with local residents of the targeted area. Additionally, intrepretations and evaluations of published or online articles was utilized to gain a breadth of understanding and possible lessons learned from hindsight.

LITERATURE REVIEW An extensive literature review was undertaken to evaluate the current body of knowledge to further my position and understanding of the topic being investigated. The review provides both a summary and a synthesis of the sources. Specific information of interest was pulled from each source then re-organized to provide new interpretations. The field being analyzed is relatively new with deviating progressions that illustrates the vast amount of experimental efforts.

PRECEDENT CASE STUDIES A review of precedent case studies allowed for the consideration of various methods and techniques utilized by other practitioners, groups and cities to improve the quality of life of the citizens. A wide array projects from city planning efforts, pop-up projects, information guides, community-building initiatives, mobile markets, and guerrilla-style projects were selected to study different approaches and opportunities. Multiple sources were used for each project to gain a thorough analysis of evaluations, interpretations, photographs, drawings and diagrams.

61

METHODOLOGIES OBSERVATION Personal observation was a key determinant for studying the IndyEast Promise Zone initiative. The author grew up and lived close to the targeted area. The base knowledge helped guide the direction of the project by having an understanding of the community’s history, culture, context, architectural style, districts, and basic social structures.

Additionally, areas of opportunity have been duly noted through copious site visits over the course of many years.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROCESS The community engagement process initially started while attending a neighborhood workshop hosted by the House Life Project and facilitated by Los Angeles artists of Public Works. The project strategically utilized art with an abandoned house to raise awareness and stimulate conversation of the neglected neighborhood. The main advisor of this thesis was a participant who creatively built interactive installations out of repurposed wood, bed frames. From this and discussions held with my advisors, an informal community engagement process was established to actively go out, meet local residents, and learn of opportunities through listening. The hope would be to utilize my design skills with my construction background to design and build a small installation that fulfills a particular need. The conversations and ideas were documented through a blog to openly share my exchange of knowledge.

Additionally, an engagement process analysis was implemented and the description is on the following page.

63

METHODOLOGIES ENGAGEMENT PROCESS ANALYSIS An engagement process analysis was implemented to compare the discussion outcomes with its relation to the Promise Zone goals. The goal of the engagement process was to identify projects within the community that can tie in with the initiative and potentially leverage assets to build a responsive installation. The Promise Zone has five goals, which are below, and each discussion outcome will be tagged with one of the symbols associated with it. Projects that directly relate to the goals can receive “extra credit� for competitive federal grants to potentially secure funding for materials and labor. Additionally, smaller-scale projects will not require grant funding and can potentially rely upon monetary or material donations from various organizations.

A separate tag will be associated with these type of projects.

LIVE INDYEAST

WORK INDYEAST

BUY INDYEAST

SAFE INDYEAST

LEARN INDYEAST

SMALL-SCALE 65

PRECEDENTS

P1

SOUTH LINCOLN REDEVELOPMENT The South Lincoln neighborhood, located in Denver, set new standards for a sensitive, holistically sustainable community. The neighborhood 3 redevelopment encompassed walkable, transit-oriented, equitable, green, and perfectly located in close proximity to downtown jobs and2 services. The project underwent rigorous planning through a community engagement process that brought together local planning authorities, developers, utility organizations, and citizens into the decision-making process. The plan materialized to create an energized transit community where people choose to live to experience enivronmental sustainability, cultural diversity, proximity to downtown, and a spectrum 4 of housing options.

The redevelopment project sought to ensure existing residents would not be displaced by coordinating the demolition and construction into phases. The project utilized an innovate community engagement approach through a Cultural Audit that consisted of interviews, surveys, and in-depth market analyses to provide community-based research.

1.6 OPPOSITE Rendering of neighborhood redevelopment 1.7 ABOVE Mural at Tapiz apartments 1.8 BELOW Energy analysis

69

P3

PARK(ing) DAY PARK(ing) DAY (PD) is an annual event nationwide that brings artists, designers and the public together to transform a parking space(s) into a community activist project. The initiate seeks to raise awareness about local issues while helping the residents realize a better future through urban design and community-based participation. The projects draw particular attention to neglected and underserved areas that often get overlooked.

PD draws upon tactical urbanism to bring collectives to resolve urban issues and reclaim public space for social and political impact. On 5the third Friday of each September, you may notice a random pop-up project in a metered parking space. The deliberate takeover could be a small park, public art piece, or possibly a cafe. Artificial turf, plants and lawn chairs are setup. The interventions are well thought out and strategically placed. The daily routines of life can lead to complaceny of the built environment. PD grabs people’s attention, orients them in a particular direction, and raises awareness of local issues in hopes of progressive change.

1.2 OPPOSITE Temporary park in San Francisco 1.3 ABOVE Chess board setup in a metered parking spot 1.4 MIDDLE Windmills setup at Vanderbilt University 1.5 BELOW Park with croquet in Dallas

71 P4

P5

IMPACT DETROIT COMMUNITY HOW-TO GUIDES The program, Impact Detroit, was established by the Detroit Collaborative Design Center (DCDC) to offer simplified guidelines for community-development projects. The accessible information was informed through years of community input and assists people to realize their own community projects by leveraging expertise and resources from stakeholders. The guides describe processes for small-scale community- and business-development projects. A feedback and response process guided the project to tartget specific audiences (individuals, community groups, and business owners) to achieve neighborhood revitalization.

Impact Detroit works by assisting neighborhood-centered initiatives find partners and resources that may support the realization of the project. Complex processes for neighborhood resurgence was broken down into clear graphics and concise texts to be easily understood. The open-source information could lead to greater holistic approaches and increase the amount of community-based projects. A digital version is being explored to generate a reciproal process.

1.9 OPPOSITE Community How-To Guides 2.1 ABOVE Diagram illustrating Impact Detroit 2.2 MIDDLE Rendering for Russell Woods-Sullivan Jazz Stage 2.3 BELOW The Skillman Foundation “Good Neighborhoods� Visioning

73

P9

THORNTON CREEK WATER CHANNEL The Thornton Creak Water Channel Facility sought to bring a long-buried creek back to the surface to treat urban stormwater runoff. The initiative was part of a larger strategy, Northgate Urban Center, to revitalize the neighborhood into a growing urban center within the City of Seattle. The redevelopment increased open public space, provided pedestrian links, reduced impervious surfaces, removed suspended solids from runoff, and created a new habitat of native vegetation. The redevelopment sought to unite a divided neighborhood through a community involvement process where a stakeholder group was formed and composed of community, environmental, and business interests. The group established a set of collective goals that seeked a diverse housing mix, jobs, retail, recreation, pubic open space, raising environmental awareness, and improving Thornton Creek water quality. The facility development and construction cost approximately $14.7 million and is believed to have generated over $200 million in adjacent private development. The facility was constructed by the Seattle Public Utilies agency.

2.3 OPPOSITE Thorton Water Creek Channel Development 2.4 ABOVE Northside of Thornton Water Creek Channel 2.5 MIDDLE Site Plan for Thorton Creek Restoration 2.6 BELOW Thorton Water Creek Channel

P8 75

P7

Plan El Paso Plan El Paso was a city-wide effort that sought a new comprehensive plan to build developments around principles of smart growth and green building practices. The plan focused on four key transit station areas to design walkability around daily activities and enhance relationship-building opportunities for community members. The plan includes efforts toward downtown reinvestment, transit-supportive infill development, revitalization of older neighborhoods, balanced transportation options, strategic suburban retrofits, sustainable economic development, and respect for nature among others. Interestingly, the plan implemented a thorough public engagement process that included the general public as citizen planners. The facilitators held hands-on planning workshops over eight weeks through community exercises and discussions to create the plan.

Afterwards, meetings were held with a citizen advisory committee to refine the project while continual input was received from the residents on the project website.

2.7 OPPOSITE Rendering of a New Central Park 2.8 ABOVE San Jacinto Plaza Plan Render 2.9 MIDDLE Main Street Plan Render 3.1 BELOW Cincinnati Redevelopment Render

77

P11

People Organizing Place bcWORKSHOP’s People Organizing Place effort created an initiative called Neighborhood Stories that allows residents to post public stories about the community’s distinct identification and past experiences. The inclusive storytelling strategy illustrates the diversity of the neighborhood while opening up possibilities of a shared future vision. The project incorporated six neighborhoods with diverse demographics that could represent issues connected to the city’s history and future. Each neighborhood had a personalized engagement process through research, relationship-building, interviews, image collection and documentation. The effort sought to fully understand the history of each neighborhood that could be brought together as a whole through overarching themes. The history was chronicled through exhibitions, documentaries, and printed publications. Overall, the goal was to strengthen the neighborhoods, activate dialog and bring a sense of community cohesion. Success of each project was measured through the neighborhood’s participation.

3.2 OPPOSITE Toolkit Engagement Tools 3.3 ABOVE Shared Drawings of Neighborhood 3.4 MIDDLE Children and Adults Showcase Creativity 3.5 BELOW TEDx Kids Study a City Map

P12 79

P13

Farm Moves Mobile Market The City of Chicago became increasingly concerned with “food deserts” which were places with inadequate access to healthy, fresh food. A committee was formed, Food Desert Action, that developed the Farm Moves Mobile Market as a solution. The mobile market acts as an urban traveling farmer’s market that distributes produce in strategic areas. The bus travels around the city throughout the entire year and visits local religous institutions, schools and community centers on the South and West Sides of the city. Two buses were renovated to include interior shelving for products and exterior amenities to engage community members. The unique concept incorporated community engagement efforts through student-led community design charettes and a bus-deconstruction day. The overall success of the project has inspired similar strategies in Boston, Chattanooga, and Los Angels. Farm Moves Mobile Market allows greater access to fresh produce through affordable prices and ease of access from mobility.

3.6 OPPOSITE Interior Shelving for Produce 3.7 ABOVE Exterior Photo of Bus Decals 3.8 MIDDLE Diagram of Bus’ External Features 3.9 BELOW Students Entering Bus for Produce

81 P14

P15

Piet Patsa Community Arts Center The Piet Patsa Community Arts Center seeks to nuture self-worth and confidence building in vulnerable youth through creative expression. Local community members with diverse backgrounds encourage the youth to develop a voice through art and performance-based activities. A nonprofit, charity organization, Dramatic Need, provides cultural art programs each month to the Rammolutsi township. After each session, Dramatic Needs undertakes an impact assessment with creative assessment models to measure the outcomes and gauge the effectiveness. The evaluations revealed that children who participate are more self-reflective and in touch with their emotions. Using art as a tool for self expression allows greater awareness and learning opportunities for self-actualization. During the arts center’s conceptualization and development, community-based initiatives were implemented including interviews, site tours and design charettes that connected community members and revealed unforseen vulnerabilities. Real impact can happen by empowering and protecting vulnerable youth.

3.6 OPPOSITE Children Celebrating in Front of Arts Center 3.7 ABOVE Children Learning How to Paint 3.8 MIDDLE Designing and Painting an Arts Center Fence 3.9 BELOW Painting a Youth Development Mural

83

P17

Guerrilla Architecture The notion of Guerrilla Architecture was spawned through Santiago Cirugeda’s practice that strives to empower citizens to act on their own and subvert bureaucractic regulations. The architect provides an open-source toolkit or user guide on his website Recetas Urbanas or ‘Urban Prescriptions’ to illustrate design interventions that are inexpensive and available to all. The initiative allows citizens freedom to act on their own using the guidelines and instructions provided to build, display or create space. Particularly, the practice focuses on sites around the city that have been abandoned and neglected to spark motivation for a new type of urban and social renovation. The hacktivist urban housing effort reclaims vacant lots, billboards, dumpsters and even shopping carts to turn them into viable shelter for those in need. Guerrilla architecture is a social movement that seeks to raise awareness of the responsibility to urban housing design for lower socioeconomic citizens. The soltuions employed such creativity that is has successfully garnered mass attention to the issue.

3.6 OPPOSITE Billboard Housing for the Homeless 3.7 ABOVE Repurposed Dumpster for Housing 3.8 BELOW Shopping Cart Pop-Up Camper

P18 85

ENGAGEMENT PROCESS

D1

Imhotep Adisa

KHEPRW Institute, Program Director

The KHEPRW Institute has a focus on youth development to realize self-reliance and self-actualization. The institute started one summer when the co-founder, Imhotep Adisa, offered help with school work to his son and a couple of his friends. The young men were so appreciative of the learning opportunity that they asked if it could be extended into the fall. From this momentum, the KHEPRW Institute was established.

The program helps young men understand their full potential and aspire to follow life’s passions. The institute’s guidance happens through several programs that include environmental initiatives, social entrepreneurship, community empowerment and an independent private school. Architects can help and benefit by contributing to mutual-knowledge exchange and a reciprocal community engagement process. Also, architects can help identify and articulate needs within the community to help set priorities to work towards. The KHEPRW Institute was difficult to locate because it occupies an old school and had no readily available exterior signage. As an architect, I would like to propose a custom made exterior sign out of their signature logo to be readily identifiable.

D2 89

= OPEN FORUM = OCCUPIED = VACANT

Katy Brett

Renew Indianapolis, Executive Director

Renew Indianapolis is a nonprofit land bank organization that seeks to find homeowners for vacant properties. The initiative targets specific areas within Indianapolis where vacant properties could threaten the stability of neighborhoods. The land bank collaborates with the City of Indianapolis, banks, and other community development corporations (CDCs) to acquire vacant properties for redevelopment. Architects can offer their talents and expertise to help homebuyers design an aesthetically-pleasing renovation that maintains contextual sensitivity and historical value. Good design should not be a luxury, but a right for all. In addition, architects can also offer an available, open forum where individuals can seek advice about potential services. A strategic design intervention could take place to convert an abandoned house in the middle of a blighted neighborhood that acts a pivotal agent of change. The studio could act as an open forum with artists, architects, planners and builders to offer advice or services to fulfill surrounding communal needs. Innovative approaches and tactics could be implemented to provide solutions to unique problems.

D3 91

Diop Adisa

KI NuMedia, Program Manager

Diop, the son of Imhotep Adisa, appreciates the value of community cohesion and maintaining cultural ideals. Him and several of his friends sought assistance with school work from his father one summer that ultimately led to the growth of The KHEPRW Institute. The institute strives for social progress through community-empowerment initiated by self-mastery. In our discussion, concern was raised over the amount of vacant properties on each block. Diop insists that historical and cultural values should be respected and brought to any future neighborhood developments.

More importantly, the voice and visions of the community need to be incorporated into any decision-making. Diop suggested that every design and construction project should embed a process of collaboration, transparency and honest dialog with the neighborhood residents. More often than not, decision-makers come in with ideas of what should take place and start conversations with the end goal in mind. The top-down approach seems rather backwards and does not include the voice and visions of the community. Developments need to begin with a community engagement process that helps identify priorities and needs to create meaningful, responsive projects. Furthermore, Diop suggested that neighborhood residents could be hired to help lead participatory planning efforts. The residents already have loyal, trustworthy relationships established that can help progress open and honest dialog. Architects could help with design and build strategies to maintain the historical and cultural identity of the neighborhood.

D6 93

Paulette Fair

KHEPRW Institute, Director of Operations

Paulette Fair is the Program Director of Operations and Human Resources at the KHEPRW Institute. She emphasized that the institute is really about human-development with a focus on young people. The institute attempts to continually advance thoughtfulness and understanding that hopefully leads to, as Paulette describes it, “self-mastery.� The notion of self-mastery encompasses the power to control one’s actions, impulses and emotions. Self-mastery can be gained through conscientious collaboration and experience that instills a respect for difference. The knowledge gained enhances a sense of self-empowerment that gives way to self-actualization.

This concept then leads to community-empowerment, which can accomplish needs within the neighborhood. Paulette believes self-mastery is a sustainability piece for future community resiliency. Furthermore, Paulette believes that any youth-development initiatives should include senior citizens to offer a wider range of perspectives and lessons learned from past experiences. KHEPRW puts this into action by hiring senior citizens through the Goodwill initiative Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). The program provides on-the-job training and employment to those aged 55 or older to further their job skills, expand work experience, and maintain financial security. Also, the collaboration between the youth and senior citizens can foster a mutual growth of inspiration. The KHEPRW Institute uses the platform of a social enterprise to enhance self-development toward social improvements. Paullete runs the kitchen and urban garden with aquaponics system. An architect could expand upon the system to produce more growth for greater services.

D8 95

Mary Stickelmaier

Horizon House, Director of Development

Mary works at the Horizon House that functions as a full-service day center for our homeless neighbors. The Horizon House provides a place where people can gather during the day, take care of needs, and overcome barriers to end their homelessness.

The day shelter runs as a secular agency to remove any religious inclinations. The main reason for homelessness is job loss and if the person may have a support system to rely upon. People are quick to judge and argue that homeless people just need to get a job. However, they have medical, mental and/or addiction issues that need to get resolved first. The horizon house offers services that include: restrooms; showers; laundry; food; clothing; mail delivery; phone service; intensive case management; a medical program; an employment program; a housing program; and an outreach program. The medical program is run by Eskenazi Health who provides twenty-five staff members on-call every day which allows the same doctors and nurses to become familiar with an individual’s needs. Furthermore, the outreach program is a coordinated approach with eighteen other agencies that go out on the streets and encourage people to come in for services. In our discussion, Mary noted that architects can help by creating a more warm and inviting environment that feels very comfortable. The use of wood and particular color patterns could be beneficial. Also, designers could create an ample amount of views to natural elements to help ease stress and anxiety.Moreover, the Horizon House would benefit from a better lighting system, skylights to bring in more daylight, and a better model for a front desk to assist with processes.Finally, Mary suggested that architects can help by leading initiatives to design and build a multi-family residency that follows the “Housing First� model.

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INDYEAST PROMISE ZONE MOBILE TASKFORCE

Alvin Sangsuwangul

KI EcoCenter, Project Manager

Alvin believes in the influence of building relationships through honest dialog that leads to a reciprocated understanding. People need to get out, meet others in the neighborhood, and discuss issues important to them. Society seems fixated on infrastructure building instead of relationship building. The bottom-line for any project should not be concern with economic gain, but rather social gain. Community redevelopments need to be based upon values of incorporating the voice and visions of the residents. In addition, opportunities must be provided for people within the neighborhood to build a stronger web of self-reliance. Alvin suggested that all communities need a place to meet and have critical conversations of how to overcome local challenges. A community can become self-sustaining by relying upon local knowledge and resources to be readily applied to fulfill communal needs. Each need presents a unique set of challenges that will require distinctive solutions. Through a collective network, specialized knowledge and experience can be applied to different areas of concern. Architects need to expand their role beyond the traditional model by building trusted, communal relationships that can help identify and articulate problems, as well as solving them. This approach would be much more proactive instead of reactive. Community development efforts are complex; architects can also help by maintaining historical and cultural ideals for further civic cohesion. Earlier in the conversation, Alvin suggested that community members need a place to meet to discuss issues and overcome challenges. Possibly the integration of a mobile taskforce office could be utilized to bring a meeting space with technological capabilities available to different sites around the community to effectively strategize and plan simulataneous projects.

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Pambana Uishi

KHEPRW Institute, Office Manager

Pambana works as the Office Manager at the Kheprw Institute. Her main concern is the health and welfare of the individuals in the community. Pambana believes in the concept of developing communities locally and providing ample opportunities for employment and education to gain greater access to resources. Community organizers need to go where the residents are to start connecting with and building relationships. Some people may not fully trust governmental agencies or community-based organizations as a consequence of past experiences. Additionally, Pambana believes that social services have created an endemic where people seem entitled to privileges.

She makes the distinction that services provided should not be a handout but rather a hand-up to overcome issues. Moreover, a psychology of victimization from poverty has caused people to believe that they don’t have any power. People need experiences that provide a sense of empowerment to believe in their ability to affect change. In our discussion, Pambana noted that architects should actively identify what people in the community care about, want preserved or built. Specifically, she mentioned that schools could be expanded upon to have a dual purpose that acts as a community center too. Residents might get more engaged with a dual communal resource. Possibly adding on to a school with a temporary structure will allow flexibility, fewer costs, and a space for communal gathering. The design can incorporate aesthetical qualites with a simple structure to stimulate interest and excitement.

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Andrew King

RecycleForce, Director of Inventory

Andrew works at RecycleForce as the Director of Inventory and Quality Control. RecycleForce runs as a nonprofit, social enterprise that is the fifth largest recycling facility in Marion County. The organization deconstructs electronic waste, and other recyclables, to separate recyclable materials, waste, and reusable materials (mainly scrap metal).The most remarkable accomplishment by the facility, though, is the effort to help formerly incarcerated individuals reintegrate into society. The revenue made from the sale of scrap metal helps pay for job training programs and employment opportunities. The best way to prevent re-incarceration is through employment opportunities. From 1974 to 2014, the United States prison population has risen by 408%. (aclu.org) Incarcerated people leaving prison have an exceedingly difficult time finding jobs while paying monthly judicial fees. The problem has led to a national recidivism rate of 67.8% where released prisoners were rearrested. (nij.com) RecycleForce’s recidivism rate is roughly 6%, thereby reducing the crime rate and saving taxpayers money. For example, if you lower Marion County’s recidivism rate by 1% it will save taxpayers $1.3 million. Additionally, RecycleForce has recently partnered with Covanta Energy Corporation to hire employees from them for the new Advanced Recycling Center (ARC). Architects may be able to assist with design upgrades to further peer mentoring and work training services. Also, the employee’s lounge can be renovated to aid in a more inviting and relaxing environment for breaks. Furthermore, the main floor of the facility would benefit from an ample amount of skylights or clerestory windows to flood the room with daylight and become less dependent on electrical lighting.

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Melissa Benton

John H. Boner Community Center Family Advocate

Melissa works at the John H. Boner Community Center mainly focusing on writing grants but also helps with special projects (i.e. – Promise Zone). The facility is located on the near Eastside of Indianapolis that provides services and programs to local community members, regardless of socioeconomic status, to improve their quality of life.

Furthermore, the Boner Center acts as the lead organization for the IndyEast Promise Zone and coordinates all the efforts with eleven other implementation partners.

Promise Zones are high poverty communities where the federal government will work with local leaders to increase efforts to achieve neighborhood created goals and priorities. All of the organizations develop strategies around five established goals to accelerate revitalization. The goals are creating affordable housing options, creating jobs, increasing economic activity, reducing crime, and improving educational opportunities. Through our discussion, Melissa noted several projects of interest that would help further revitalization. Renovating a strategic empty commercial building and converting it to a particular store would boost economic development. Not many locations exist within the neighborhood to buy groceries or necessities. Many residents travel out of the area to buy goods. On another note, Melissa identified that greater attention can be applied to housing and commercial designs to reduce crime. Most of the buildings in the area do not have exterior lights and additional street lights would be beneficial. Also, a more pedestrian-friendly urban design would allow greater safety and accessibility. Furthermore, Melissa particularly noted that the revitalization of the Rivoli Theater into a cultural center for art, theater and music would greatly add value to the neighborhood. Art can be used as an economic development tool and enhance community engagement opportunities.

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Stomping Ground Restaurant

DeAmon Harges

The Learning Tree, Roving Listener

DeAmon follows selfless ideals to recognize the gifts, talents and abilities of local residents to build a stronger web of resiliency. The original “Roving Listener” passionately works at The Learning Tree which has an active role to develop and strengthen community-based initiatives. The social enterprise follows the principles and practices of the Asset-Based Community Development Institute (ABCD) to bring together individuals, institutions and organizations to build community capacity. The ideology behind community capacity building is a combined influence of a neighborhood’s commitment, resources and skills that can be utilized to build on community strengths and address local challenges. DeAmon suggests that community development efforts should first perform a capacity-analysis to gain an understanding of the existing residents’ gifts. The abilities and assets of the community members (i.e. – artists, gardeners, cooks, teachers, business consultants, etc.) can then reflect particular development strategies that are best suited for the neighborhood. A collaborative approach through open dialog can illuminate the capacities of individuals or enterprises to form partnerships that can tackle unique problems related to policy or methods of development. Architects may be able to assist with creative problem-solving strategies that allows a more divergent thinking process. Moreover, architects could lead initial design strategies that takes into account the voices and visions of the community members to create meaningful, responsive projects. One of DeAmon’s current projects is to renovate an abandoned firefigter’s station and convert it into a restaurant where local cooks can utilize their skills within the neighborhood. As an architect, I could assist with designing techniques and implement passive strategies.

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LITERATURE REVIEW

In the Scheme of Things: Alternative Thinking on the Practice of Architecture By: Thomas Fisher Method: The author provides an in-depth analysis through twelve essays that criticizes the current state of architecture and provides innovative proposals for future practice. Through a collection of investigations, the author compares and contrasts the historical role of architecture with contemporary practice.

Findings and Conclusions: The author is considered one of the field’s most innovative thinkers who argues that the profession needs to be reconsidered and reenergized. The public has grown disinterested with architecture due to its disconnection with the community and isolation to high-profile, costly projects. The profession needs to rethink its ideological foundations and relationships to ecology, politics, and technology. Architects need to expand their role to become a steward and visionary for the public realm.

Implications: The architectural profession has limited itself to being solicited by clients or attempting to win competitions. Furthermore, architectural practice has evolved into an elitist profession that mainly serves the wealthy. Architects, who are highly creative people, should branch off from the linear path to rediscover possibilities that can serve the overall public.

Spatial Agency: Other Ways of Doing Architecture By: Nishat Awan Method: From a large collection of investigations, the authors provided precedents and case studies that illustrate non-traditional paths for architects. The focus group performed extensive research on projects that fulfilled three criteria: spatial judgement, mutual knowledge and critical awareness. In addition, the book presents narratives of architects who pursue alternative practices.

Findings and Conclusions: The authors prefer to use the word ‘spatial’ in lieu of ‘architecture’ to explore greater possibilities than just the static context of a building. Not all problems can be solved with a building. Furthermore, the word ‘agency’ refers to individuals who work independently from the constraining structures of society. The structures refer to the ways society is organized through bureaucratic, economic, and social means. Agents are neither completely free from nor entrapped by the structure. Spatial agency argues that transformative action within the structure is possible if one is aware of the constraints and opportunities that exist within the structure. Spatial agents are negotiators of existing conditions in order to partially reform them.

Implications: Architects who seek public interest design that responds to societal needs have to be aware of existing structures in place that could be a deterrent or an opportunity. Designers could be proactive to identify needs where architectural talent and knowledge could be applied for the betterment of society. Open-ended evaluations of environmental conditions could lead to action with no predetermined outcome but to only pursue transformative solutions.

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Future Practice: Conversations from the Edge of Architecture By: Rory Hyde Method: The author performed an exhaustive interview process with seventeen practitioners who are inventing new roles for the architecture profession. The analysis offers diverse approaches to design and illustrates new roles beyond the traditional path.

Research and Findings: The designers highlighted by the author are creating new opportunities of collaboration, design outcomes, and ways to practice. The field of practice can range from architecture, policy, activism, design, education, research, history, and community engagement among others. The wide spectrum of approaches illustrates creative ingenuity and allows others to critically evaluate other ways of opportunistic practice. Some of the roles include: civic entrepreneur, contractual innovator, strategic designer, community enabler, architect as public intellectual, and the double agent to name a few.

Implications: The collective analysis illustrates the potential for new ways of architectural practice beyond the drawing-manufacturer. The creative process, talents and knowledge gained through architectural school and/or practice can be applied to everyday citizens for the betterment of society. Areas of opportunity or gaps of service can be utilized to create unique solutions.

Good Deeds, Good Design: Community Service through Architecture By: Bryan Bell Method: Contributors collaborated to bring together an extensive amount of research that informs an alternative practice for architecture. Case studies were presented to illustrate the different tactics applied and outcomes produced.

Findings and Conclusions: The authors emphasized the point that community service architecture needs to seek out the client. The community-based agencies have the most intimate knowledge of issues and individuals in need. Also, it is critical to establish trust with the community members to reassure them. Architects can build trust through honest communication, offering to help wherever they can, and allowing them to contribute to the decision-making process. Designers can add value to people’s lives by connecting their needs with the environment. Architects are in a unique position to empower communities and progress social change.

Implications: Architects should play an active role in community design centers (CDCs) to help empower the citizens to live their best lives. The movement could add value to neighborhood and community leadership as essential vehicles of social change and also create alternative markets for invest. Architects could expand their role to that of artist, builder, interpreter, activist, and community member.

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Public Interest Design Practice Guidebook By: Lisa Abendroth and Bryan Bell Method: The authors provide an in-depth analysis through research and experience on how public interest design has become a distinct profession. Focus groups established guidelines and methodologies of professional standards to follow. In addition, case studies were examined to offer best practices and lessons learned.

Findings and Conclusions: The guidebook offers professional standards of practice to follow SEED methodology and a step-by-step process for public interest designers. The book covers topics such as professional responsibility, public interest design business development, design evaluation, and capacity building through scaling. Overall, it should assist with the development of community-centered environments, products, and systems. The authors recommend an issue-based approach by engaging people in the design process. A community engagement or public participation effort was greatly reinforced to create a democratic decision-making model. The book presents a public interest design mission, principles, value proposition, methodologies, and public participation procedures.

Implications: An emerging profession of public interest design is rapidly growing through shared knowledge and innovative tactics. The guidebook has established a well thought out framework of the movement that can be implemented in communities around the world. It’s imperative to learn from other individuals on best practices and lessons learned to continually progress inclusive design.

The Power of Pro Bono By: John Cary and Majora Carter Method: From a large collection of investigations, the researchers provided narratives of pro bono work from architectural firms. The descriptions offer project specific information while also highlighting the architects behind it. Furthermore, an in-depth examination of each contributor was provided.

Findings and Conclusions: The book provides numerous testimonials about pro bono projects and started with an introduction of why it matters. The authors explained that architects prefer the role of artist over that of an engineer or service provider. Some professionals view fulfilling community needs as utilitarian and think their goals are loftier, such as expression of our culture or realization of an artistic vision. Furthermore, an author argued that an internal class war is brewing between ‘socially progressive’ and ‘design progressive’ architects. Community design centers try to blend elements from each approach and foster a sense of belonging and dignity among the everyday citizens.

Implications: Firms need to implement pro bono services similar to the law profession. In addition, architects need to be involved and advocate for policies that affect the built environment similar to doctors and health policies. Also, it must be duly noted that public interest design projects should not be bland but rather artistically expressive of the cultural values.

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Designing Public Participation Processes By: John Bryson, Kathryn Quick, Carissa Slotterback and Barbara Crosby Method: A focus group formed to perform extensive research through books and articles on the topic of public participation in design. The group discussed their findings amongst each other during meetings. In addition, each member drew upon their own personal experiences to guide the principles.

Findings and Conclusions: The authors presented best practice guidelines for design participation processes. The guidelines were formulated during meetings when a focus group would synthesize their findings and offer evidence-based research to help practitioners develop participation processes. At the end, twelve guidelines were established for creating, managing, and evaluating public participation activities in order to accomplish desired outcomes. The problem-solving approach would need to be context-specific and readily adapt to emergent circumstances. The article further reinforces to actively address contextually problems and involve stakeholders for inclusive decision-making.

Implications: The field of architecture needs to adapt a similar public participation process during the schematic and design development phases. Government administrators, officials, and community leaders have extensively used such strategies before. Designers and planners need to develop a systematic approach with accessible information where the public’s input formulates outcomes.

Architecture, Public Responsibility, and the Art of Listening By: Kaid Benfield Method: The author examined the relationship between various case studies that could be compared and contrasted. The studies would be examined against the design’s responsibility to the public. He also garnered information from press releases and municipal reports for comparative analysis.

Findings and Conclusions: The article questions if an architect has an ethical duty to the public. The commercial, civic, and institutional architecture comes together to form a collective environmental experience for people. The place-making, or design, process should incorporate the citizens or users of the future project. Engaging people to figure out consensus opinions will empower and foster relationships within the public sphere. Particularly, the Denver Housing Authority was given accolades for using an innovative community engagement process referred to as a ‘cultural audit’. The ‘making’ has become as important as the ‘place’.

Implications: Civic leaders and designers should implement tactics to interact with members of society and seek input for design strategies. The cultural audit sought information from community organizations as well as citizens from interviews, surveys, and in-depth market analysis. The collection of information can be used to help guide designs with the needs and aspirations of the community as a whole.

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Spaces Speak, Are You Listening? Experiencing Aural Architecture By: Barry Blesser and Linda-Ruth Salter Method: The author provides an in-depth analysis through extensive research on how a design firm provided service to Indigenous communities. Through a collection of investigations, several examples were illustrated how a collaborative approach lead to useful and sustainable designs.

Findings and Conclusions: Tangentyere Design spent thirty years on the ground closely working with Aboriginal people to assist with the form and function of houses for their community. The architects realized they did not have all the answers and sought input from the end-users to gain greater long-term satisfaction. The architects applied an engagement approach by listening to the clients and trying to understand needs and aspirations. The designers sought to develop a new and culturally appropriate architectural language that suited the distinct Aboriginal settlements. Flexible designs were provided that could easily be modified to accommodate particular family requirements.

Implications: Architects, designers, and planners should proactively engagement community members to identify specific needs and aspirations. Creating flexible designs can allow customization to accommodate particular requirements while maintaining an overall framework. Users should be incorporated into the decision-making process to draw on experiences and priorities.

A Web-Based Spatial Decision Support System to Enhance Public Participation in Urban Planning Processes By: Kaid Benfield Method: The author gives a comparative analysis of different web-based participatory processes that actively engage the public to help plan urban design schemes. The different processes were compared and contrasted through detailed explanations to identify strengths and weaknesses.

Findings and Conclusions: The public can enter online forums to give opinions and select options to a proposed development application. The urban developments can consist of new building construction, renovation of buildings, and land use changes. A web-based participatory process can allow developers, citizens, utility organizations, and planning authorities to collaborate together on the decision-making process. It allows for a bottom-up planning approach by giving the public access to proposed plans. The article offers a web-based participatory urban planning (WPUP) framework with a prototype system developed accordingly.

Implications: The implementation of a web-based participatory urban planning system allows all community stakeholders to offer opinions and make decisions on urban developments. Having the reciprocal engagement process online offers the public greater accessibility to review questions, comments, and visual aids to gain a better understanding of the issue at hand and assist with the decision-making progression.

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Near Eastside Quality of Life Plan By: James Taylor and Joe Bowling Method: The contributors provided an extensive analysis with collaboration from government agencies, community organizations, neighborhood associations, and residents. The research performed included interviews, focus groups, asset-mapping, demographic analysis, zoning regulations, and engagement processes.

Findings and Conclusions: The quality of life plan clearly illustrates the community’s aspirations to improve the living conditions for all socioeconomic citizens. The plan identifies a vision, key action areas, implementation methods, stakeholders, historical/cultural timeline, projects and explanations. The plan specifically addresses issues and needs within the near eastside of Indianapolis and establishes community-driven goals. In addition, opportunities were presented for potential future progress in the areas of housing, education, family strengthening, business/economic development, livability, and leadership/neighborhood connections.

Implications: Architects looking to assist with the progress of community-driven needs should closely work with individuals on the ground to clearly identify priorities. In addition, designers should implement an engagement process to create reciprocal feedback that helps dictate design strategies.

Furthermore, emphasis should be placed on maintaining cultural values and recognizing neighborhood assets.

LISC Sustainable Communities Initiative Neighborhood Quality Monitoring Report.

By: Local Initiatives Support Corporation Method: The authors conducted a systematic review of local data and indicators of potential progress for comprehensive community development. The report includes informative maps with land use, demographics, and mortgages in foreclosure, adjusted gross income, unemployment rates, schools, and criminal activity. Also, data sets were given about age, race, education level, income, housing, employment, local job market, education and health.

Findings and Conclusions: The analysis will help illustrate the conditions of the community before and after community-driven efforts. It’ll provide a baseline of demographics that can quantitatively show progress like: housing market bust repercussions; experiencing economic growth; or neighborhood safety declining. The association supports inclusive quality of life planning and development to build resilient communities. The report will assist people to monitor change in areas of concentrated investment. The efforts are part of the demonstration initiative that was established by the Great Indy Neighborhoods Initiative (GINI).

Implications: The community needs a baseline of particular demographic data sets to clearly analyze if the work being done is truly contributing to a better quality of life for all citizens. The large collection of investigations will assist for future planning and decision-making efforts. Also, the report can help show key demographic areas to target for more impactful results.

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The Bicentennial Agenda, Building an Authentic City Life By: Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee Method: The authors compiled information from research, data, studies, and surveys. The committee applied an engagement process through events and online tools to seek the community input. In addition, key stakeholders were incorporated into the planning process to offer expertise and strategic direction. Also, the plan explains plans and initiatives currently underway in Indianapolis.

Findings and Conclusions: The Bicentennial Plan was created to give the city a blueprint of development efforts for the 200th anniversary. The Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee took charge of the planning process and established key goals through an agenda. This plan is a component of a larger strategy known as Plan 2020. The Plan 2020 is an initiative to allow greater collaboration with the government and community organizations. The agenda will be continually updated and expanded with additional data, rationale, information, and graphics based upon community feedback. In addition, the committee hopes to establish an online resource to report progress, measure impact, and generate lessons learned from the projects.

Implications: The community-based projects should work in conjunction with other city-wide plans to avoid redundancy. Many organizations share similar goals but may have different approaches. Communication across many disciplines will be critical to support a wide range of well-established frameworks. In addition, integrating plans could help further measure impact, discuss best practices, and share lessons learned.

Where are the Utopian Visionaries?: Architecture of Social Exchange By: Hansy Better Barraza Methods: A focus group comprised of architects, historians and theorists surveyed low-cost, inventive work being done to make architecture influential in sustainable progress and social justice. Additionally, the focus group provided an in-depth analysis of theoretical essays and case study projects.

Findings and Conclusions: The author illustrates how a new group of architect-activists have been diversifying and reinventing the architectural profession by engaging in an exchange of ideas, techniques and visions with everyday people in a reciprocal engagement process. The projects encompass residents’ use of scavenged materials, unique building skills, and local notions of a dwelling. The efforts are utopian in aim instead of charitable giving. Innovation coupled with poetic imagination could lead the architecture profession towards social justice issues.

Implications: Architects could utilize the experience and knowledge of local residents to help address social justice issues within the community. The exchange of knowledge could lead to broader solutions that positively affect a vulnerable population. The grassroots approach could utilize innovative problem-solving solutions for low-cost housing options.

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REFERENCES

BIBLIOGRAPHY A. Mansourian, M. Taleai & A. Fashi. (2011). A Web-Based Spatial Decision Support System to Enhance Public Participation in Urban Planning Processes. Journal of Spatial Science, 56:2, 269-282, DOI: 10.1080/14498596.2011.623347 Truax, B. (2007). Barry Blesser and Linda-Ruth Salter, Spaces Speak, Are You Listening? Experiencing Aural Architecture. The MIT press, 2007. ISBN 0-262-02605-8. Organized Sound, 12(2), 185-186.

DOI:10.1017/S1355771807001732 Benfield, K. (2013). Architecture, Public Responsibility, and the Art of Listening. Natural Resources Defense Council Staff Blog. Retrieved from: http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/kbenfield/architecture_public_responsibi.html Bryson, J. M., Quick, K. S., Slotterback, C. S., & Crosby, B. C. (2013). Designing Public Participation Processes. Public Administration Review, 73(1), 23-34. doj: 10.1111/j.1540-6210.2012.02678.x Fisher, T. (2000). In the Scheme of Things: Alternative Thinking on the Practice of Architecture.

Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press.

Awan, N., Schneider, T., & Till, J. (2011). Spatial Agency: Other Ways of Doing Architecture. New York, NY: Routledge.

Hyde, R. (2013). Future Practice: Conversations from the Edge of Architecture. New York, NY: Routledge.

Bell, B (Eds.). (2004). Good Deeds, Good Design: Community Service through Architecture. New York, NY: Princeton Architectural Press.

Abendroth, L. and Bell, B. (Eds.). (2015). Public Interest Design Practice Guidebook. New York, NY: Routledge.

Cary, J (Eds.). (2010). The Power of Pro Bono. New York, NY: Metropolis Books.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY (con’t) Lenskjold, T. U., Olander, S., & Halse, J. (2015). Minor Design Activism: Prompting Change from Within.

31(4), 67-78. DOI: 10.1162/DESI_a_00352 Anderson, N. (2014). Public Interest Design as Praxis. Journal of Architectural Education, 68(1), 16-27. doi:10.1080/10464883.2014.864895 John H. Boner Community Center. (2015). Near Eastside Quality of Life Plan. Indianapolis, IN: James Taylor, Joe Bowling.

Local Initiatives Support Corporation. (2011). LISC Sustainable Communities Initiative Neighborhood Quality Monitoring Report. Indianapolis, IN: The Polis Center.

Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee. (2014). The Bicentennial Agenda, Building an Authentic City Life. Indianapolis, IN: Department of Metropolitan Development.

Barraza, H. B. (2012). Where are the Utopian Visionaries?: Architecture of Social Exchange (1st Ed.).

Pittsburgh, PA: Periscope Publishing.

ILLUSTRATIONS + PHOTO CREDIT 1.1

https://urbaninformality.expressions.syr.edu/2013/blog/2013/02/09/slums-as-emergence/

1.2(P3)

Agile City. Park(ing) Day - Reclaiming Car Parking Space in Cities. Retrieved from: http://agile-city.com/community-project/parking-day/

1.3 (P4)

Wallyhood. (PARK)ing Day Applications Due. Retrieved from: http://www.wallyhood.org/2015/08/parking-day-applications-due/#gsc.tab=0

1.4 (P4)

Vanderbilt University . Students to Create Temporary Park for Park(ing) Day Sept. 21. Retrieved from: http://news.vanderbilt.edu/2012/09/parking-day-2012/

1.5 (P4)

Park(ing) Day Dallas. Park(ing) Day Countdown. Retrieved from: http://www.parkingdaydallas.org/

1.6 (P1)

Switchboard. Denver Redevelopment Sets New Standards for Community Engagement & Analysis.

Retrieved from: http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/kbenfield/denver_redevelopment_sets_new.html

1.7 (P2)

Switchboard. Denver Redevelopment Sets New Standards for Community Engagement & Analysis.

Retrieved from: http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/kbenfield/denver_redevelopment_sets_new.html

1.8 (P2)

Switchboard. Denver Redevelopment Sets New Standards for Community Engagement & Analysis.

Retrieved from: http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/kbenfield/denver_redevelopment_sets_new.html

1.9 (P5)

Detroit Collaborative Design Center. Impact Detroit Community How-To Guides. Retrieved from: http://www.dcdc-udm.org/community/impact/

2.1 (P6)

Detroit Collaborative Design Center. Impact Detroit Community How-To Guides. Retrieved from: http://www.dcdc-udm.org/community/impact/

2.2 (P6)

Detroit Collaborative Design Center. Impact Detroit Community How-To Guides. Retrieved from: http://www.dcdc-udm.org/community/impact/

2.3 (P6)

Detroit Collaborative Design Center. Impact Detroit Community How-To Guides. Retrieved from: http://www.dcdc-udm.org/community/impact/

2.3 (P7)

SvR Design Company. Thorton Creek Water Quality Channel. Retrieved from: http://www.svrdesign.com/thornton-creek-water-quality-channel/93pda5gomo0gdspx57hjxrb8bmckt5

2.4 (P8)

Switchboard. Outstanding Urbanism, Transit & Green Infrastructure. Retrieved from: http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/kbenfield/outstanding_urbanism_and_state.html

2.5 (P8)

Flick River. Thorton Creek Water Quality Channel. Retrieved from: http://www.flickriver.com/groups/1245383@N23/pool/interesting/

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ILLUSTRATIONS + PHOTO CREDIT 4.1 (P15)

4.2 (P16)

BBC News. Stars Set for Charity Monologue Show. Retrieved from: http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-34533460 Dramatic Need. Creative Arts Charity for the Vulnerable Youth. Retrieved from: http://dramaticneed.tumblr.com/page/9

4.3 (P16)

Dramatic Need. Creative Arts Charity for the Vulnerable Youth. Retrieved from: http://dramaticneed.tumblr.com/page/9

4.4 (P16)

Dramatic Need. Creative Arts Charity for the Vulnerable Youth. Retrieved from: http://dramaticneed.tumblr.com/page/9

4.5 (P17)

Urban Gardens. Guerrilla Architecture: Hacktivist Urban Housing. Retrieved from: http://www.urbangardensweb.com/2015/09/04/guerrilla-architecture-hacktivist-urban-housing/

4.6 (P18)

Urban Gardens. Guerrilla Architecture: Hacktivist Urban Housing. Retrieved from: http://www.urbangardensweb.com/2015/09/04/guerrilla-architecture-hacktivist-urban-housing/

4.7 (P18)

Urban Gardens. Guerrilla Architecture: Hacktivist Urban Housing. Retrieved from: http://www.urbangardensweb.com/2015/09/04/guerrilla-architecture-hacktivist-urban-housing/

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