Placemaking for Immigrant Communities Guide

SECTION ONE

Why it Matters?

PLACEMAKING FOR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES

WHY IT MATTERS?

Communities across the United States are beautifully diverse, and shaped by immigrants from around the world. These communities engage with the built environment in unique ways, redefining the use of open spaces based on their distinct CULTURES AND EXPERIENCES. We aim is to explore how placemaking can be harnessed to forge STRONGER CONNECTIONS between immigrant communities and their surroundings.

Drawing from our immersion in immigrant communities and cultures, we possess firsthand knowledge of the complexities that arise when CULTURE AND SPACE intersect. As designers, our mission is to bridge the divide between design and place, ultimately strengthening the profound sense of belonging that people seek. In doing so, we aspire to create spaces that are universally enjoyed, transcending cultural boundaries and WELCOMING everyone, regardless of their origin.

SECTION TWO

Case Study Research (Data)

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS

Key Facts:

Focus area: Columbia Heights, DC

Acres: 410

Total Population: 29,772

Median Age: 33.6

Households: 13,963

Average Household size: 2.07

Took Public Transportation to work: 37.9

LandDesign Office

ONE IN SEVEN DC RESIDENTS IS AN IMMIGRANT (14% OF THE POPULATION) 2010

LARGEST IMMIGRANT POPULATIONS IN DC

11% EL SALVADOR

7% ETHIOPIA

3% MEXICO

13% EL SALVADOR 6% INDIA 5% KOREA

Source: American Immigration council, “Immigrants in the District of Columbia,” 2020

Place of Birth

PREFERRED FAMILY LANGUAGE SPOKEN AT HOME

Language Spoken at Home

ASIAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER (2%) OTHER (2%)

INDO-EUROPEAN (4%)

Who only speak English at home

Who speak Spanish at home

Source: ACS Language Spoken at Home - Boundaries, 2022

Who speak another Indo-European at home

SECTION THREE

Case Study (Site Visits)

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 01, 2023 AT 2:00 PM

SURVEY 1 - RESULTS

2 MEXICO

GUATEMALA 1

3 EL SALVADOR

1 NICARAGUA

2 BOLIVIA

CUBA 1

HAITI

JAMAICA 1 1

CYPRESS 1

1 IRAN

1 INDIA

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 08, 2023 AT 12:00 PM

Storytelling Community Mural

Bilingual Community Garden

Inadequate Seating

Unexpected Pockets of Seating

LACK OF SHADE

ABSENCE OF LANDSCAPE

UNFLEXIBLE SEATING

EXTENSIVE PAVEMENT

ABSENCE OF SEATING

SHORTAGE OF CAFE SEATING

CIVIC PLAZA, COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, WASHINGTON, DC

SECTION FOUR

New Design Concept

DESIGN PRINCIPLES

MISSION STATEMENT

To create a WELCOMING AND SAFE community with an ABUNDANCE OF FLEXIBLE SPACES that connect people to place.

Residents are brought together to SOCIALIZE AND ACTIVATE THE PLAZA .

PRECEDENTS

LEGEND INCLUSIVE

ADAPTABLE FLEXIBLE COMMUNITY-DRIVEN SOCIABLE

MEANDERING PATHS

ACTIVE PLAZA

ATTRACTIVE STRUCTURES + COLORFUL LANDSCAPE

FLEXIBLE LAWN

LIVELY PROGRAMMING

True North Sqaure, Manitoba

San Pedro Plaza, Los Angeles

Boardway Sqaure, Fargo

Sundance Square Plaza, Fort Worth

Horton Plaza Park, San Diego

Steven L. Schainker Plaza, Ames

SECTION FIVE

Imagining

DESIGN 1 - BLUELINE SKETCH (MEANDERING PLAZA)

LEGEND

GATHERING SPACE

SEATING AREA

OUTDOOR DINNING

LANDMARK LANDSCAPE

STREET TREES

SEATING

GATHERING

LOW LANDSCAPE

VENDORS

LOW LANDSCAPE

PLAZA

MEANDERING PLAZA - ILLUSTRATIVE 1

MEANDERING PLAZA - ILLUSTRATIVE 2

MEANDERING PLAZA - ILLUSTRATIVE 3

DESIGN 2 - BLUELINE SKETCH (FORMAL PLAZA)

LEGEND

GATHERING SPACE

SEATING AREA

OUTDOOR DINNING

LANDMARK LANDSCAPE

STREET TREES

SEATING

GATHERING

LOW LANDSCAPE

VENDORS

FLEXIBLE PROGRAMMING

GATHERING

PLAZA

SECTION SIX

Testing the Design

SITE VISIT 3 - (QUANTITATIVEWHICH DESIGN DO YOU PREFER?)

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2023 AT 1:00 PM

SECTION SEVEN Results

SURVEY 3 - RESULTS

WHICH DESIGN OPTION DO YOU PREFER FOR COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CIVIC PLAZA?

SURVEY PREFERENCES

MEANDERING PLAZA FORMAL PLAZA

69%

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE FOR COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CIVIC PLAZA?

PRIORITIES

1. VENDOR SPACE

2. SHADE

3. SEATING

4. CULTURAL EVENTS

31%

SURVEY 3 - RESULTS

WHICH DESIGN OPTION DO YOU PREFER FOR COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CIVIC PLAZA?

SURVEY PREFERENCES

13 Responses

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE FOR COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CIVIC PLAZA?

PRIORITIES

SURVEY 3 - RESULTS

MEANDERING PLAZA

ADAPTIVE CAFE SEATING

FLEXIBLE VENDOR SPACE ATTRACTIVE WAYFINDING

ADAPTIVE PROGRAMMING

VISIBLE LIGHTING

ROBUST SEATING AREA

ORGANIC ENTRANCE

LUSH LANDSCAPE

LUSH LANDSCAPE

SECTION EIGHT

Conclusion

CONCLUSION

From our experience, we learned that people are open to being part of the design process. Finding ways to collect data INTERACTIVELY AND ENGAGINGLY with residents provides us with more insight into the needs of the community. OBSERVING how residents and visitors interact with the built environment was crucial in determining our design goal and mission statement. The community of Columbia Heights expressed their desire for a place where they could GATHER with friends and strangers alike, a place that is ADAPTIVE AND FLEXIBLE to everyday needs, a place that reminds them of home. In addition, we observed street vendors and how COMMUNITYDRIVEN the neighborhood is.

Our process made it more complex, since we had several site visits to collect data through surveys, interviews, and observations. Despite adding more complexity to the project, the results demonstrated where people have OWNERSHIP and feel like they belong. Our goal was to understand which elements create a PLACE OF BELONGING.

We learned that many design factors can help create a place of belonging, such as small gathering places, space for vendors, safety elements, flexible seating, community programming, etc. But we also learn that there is something less tangible, and maybe that could be called the “SOUL” of a place. The feeling that is created by people themselves. As designers, we should strive to determine the third element and design with the community to retain it.

For the purpose of this MATTERLAB research project, we want to give back to the Columbia Heights community as a WORK IN PROGRESS website for further research studies.

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/531ce0daf5ab4256b1d7bd40ed8d66d1

(Open link in a brower)

We trust that this document can serve as a foundational resource for designers when working with complex communities, helping them better understand the intricate art of designing spaces that foster a true sense of belonging.

SECTION NINE

Design Resources

DEVELOPED

A PROJECT FRAMEWORK

1 2 3 4 5

SITE ANALYSIS

BOOKLET/STORYMAP FINAL PRESENTATION AUG DEC SEPT OCT NOV

• TIP: MIRO CAN BE AN USEFUL TOOL WHEN COLABORATING WITH MULTIPLE PEOPLE IN MULTIPLE PLACES. ( LINK )

FIRST STEPS

• Before embarking on data collection, it’s essential to define the specific questions you aim to address. For instance, in our case, we sought to ascertain the countries of origin for immigrants in Columbia Heights.

• To kickstart this process, we employed the Migration Policy Institute’s interactive map tool, accessible via the provided link. This tool enabled us to access initial demographic, language, education, workforce, and income data from the Census, categorized by state (as indicated in the image on the right). (LINK)

• In addition, the American Immigration Council proved to be a valuable resource for gathering preliminary immigrant-related information organized by state, as can be explored through the provided link. These resources equipped us with a solid foundation to answer our research questions effectively.( LINK).

ZOOMING IN

For a more granular data-driven understanding of a site, Geographic Information System (GIS) Online emerges as a powerful tool, allowing for in-depth analysis at a localized level. Instead of examining data at a broader state or county level, it enables a closer look at specific study areas.

In the context of this study, we leveraged the American Community Survey (ACS) data, which is published annually. This data can be seamlessly integrated into GIS Online for a comprehensive examination of the community (Image on the right).

The ACS data is structured by tracts, prompting us to compile data from all tracts within our site and consolidate it into an Excel file. This approach facilitates a more detailed and precise understanding of the community’s dynamics.

Source: American Immigration Council, 2022

Source: ACS Data, 2020; GIS Pro, 2023

FIRST STEPS

Exploring the online data can be a valuable resource for gaining a more profound understanding of a community. Unfortunately, immigrant communities often harbor reservations when it comes to completing Census forms. Therefore, it becomes imperative to collect data that aids in a more comprehensive grasp of the community.

In our quest to delve deeper into the Columbia Heights community, we made three on-site visits. Our initial survey featured an interactive world map, which allowed passersby to place a pin on their place of origin. This innovative map made it accessible to people who may not be proficient in English, ensuring they could readily grasp the intent of our inquiry. While this approach serves as a noteworthy example, numerous other survey techniques are available to collect the necessary data. The key to success lies in ensuring that these methods are not only understandable but also inclusive, enabling broad community participation.

UNDERSTANDING THE SITE

For our second site visit, we conducted an on-site walkthrough to gain a deeper insight into the location to gain qualitative data. Some of the valuable information we gathered includes:

• Identification of current place-making elements within the area.

• Observations on how people navigate and congregate within the site.

• Noting specific locations where people tend to sit, shop, rest, or wait for public transportation.

• Identifying areas where placemaking enhancements can be implemented.

• Listing community organizations in the vicinity that actively engage in community outreach events.

This hands-on exploration allowed us to gather on-the-ground insights that are crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the site and its dynamics.

DESIGN 3

FIRST STEPS

Based on the data we collected, we made the decision to focus on enhancing a public area within our site through the integration of placemaking elements. To determine which elements would best suit our design, we distilled our approach down to five guiding principles. These principles were derived from the insights gathered through both online data and site visits. The five principles that will inform our design are:

1. Adaptable : Assures the ability to adjust changes, new ideas, and different conditions to the needs of the community.

2. Inclusive: Ensures that all residents of the community feel part of their community, giving equal access/benefit from updated design area.

3. Flexible: Provides adjustable/versatile elements to accommodate a range of activities/ uses to serve the needs of the community.

4. Community-Driven: Assures community involvement in the decision-making and active efforts, ensuring their personal input in the design process.

5. Sociable: Ensures a sense of social interaction and connection, promoting a welcoming and friendly atmosphere.

These guiding principles serve as a foundation for our project, and while every project may differ, we believe that these overarching principles will be instrumental in making the selected site more conducive to the immigrant communities in the area.

NEXT STEPS

Once we had established our guiding principles, we proceeded with the sketching phase of our project. In our case, we developed two distinct concepts, both rooted in the guiding principles but featuring different layouts. After the initial sketching, we employed CAD, Sketch-Up, and Lumion to craft 3D visualizations of these concepts.

During our final site visit, we presented both design options by placing them on separate boards. We then provided an opportunity for the residents in Columbia Heights to cast their votes and express their preferences for their favorite design. This participatory approach ensured that the final design would truly reflect the desires and needs of the local community.

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS

FIRST STEPS

When determining how to present the information, it’s crucial to consider the intended audience. In our case, we chose to create a booklet as a comprehensive document to capture the essence of our study. Additionally, we developed an online webpage using ArcGIS Online, which offers easy and convenient access to the information for the general public. You can explore the online webpage through the provided link. This multi-faceted approach ensures that the findings and insights from our study are accessible and digestible to a wide range of individuals interested in the project.