Many public spaces are underutilized and lack elements to invite social inclusivity. Design considerations (elements of comfort, pleasure, activity) and placemaking (the involvement of communities) can improve this disconnection. Advised by the architecture firm, theMaak, this project aimed to address inclusivity in Woodstock—a neighborhood that subverted historical policies of racial segregation but is rapidly gentrifying under neoliberal capitalism. Informed by activity scans of public spaces, we installed themed temporary designs to test inclusivity in spaces of Woodstock. Observations revealed the following: spatial design and social engagement are equally important; community engagement is vital; and, scaling inclusive design is not appropriate given the uniqueness of public spaces.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Lucena, Joao Omena
• Cosio, Amparo
• Gauthier, Faye L
• Akume, Mbolle Tasie-Ben
• Rus, Alexander Nikhil

Subject

• Infrastructure
• Well-Being
• Inclusion
• Community

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-121318-075649

Keyword

• Ethnic relations
• Public spaces

Advisor

• Bulled, Nicola
• Agloro, Alexandrina R.

Year

• 2018

Center

• Cape Town, South Africa Project Center - IQP

Sponsor

• TheMAAK

Date created

• 2018-12-13

Location

• Cape Town

Resource type

• Interactive Qualifying Project

Rights statement

• In Copyright