Date of Award

Spring 4-2025

Degree Type

Capstone Project

First Advisor

Dustin Altschul

Second Advisor

Kimbelry Buchholz

Abstract

This project explores how innovative design strategies can build better communities by enhancing mental health, physical well-being, and social engagement, ultimately creating a sense of belonging and growth in cities.

Motivated by the challenges of affordability, accessibility, social isolation, and environmental degradation, this project emphasizes the transformative power of design. By integrating community-centered design (CCD) and human-centered design (HCD) principles, the project aims to learn about resilient, inclusive, and sustainable communities. These approaches involve active community participation, ensuring that solutions are culturally relevant, inclusive, and responsive to local needs.

Key strategies include promoting social connectedness, improving public access to health and social services, and enhancing economic stability. The project also looks into the philosophies of urbanism and climate resilience, providing knowledge for designing adaptable communities that can withstand and recover from environmental challenges.

Through participatory design and co-design methods, community members actively contribute to decision making, creating a sense of ownership and commitment to the sustainability of their communities. By using local knowledge and innovative design practices, the project bridges the gap between policy planning and implementation, creating communities that are not only functional but also supportive of the well-being and growth of their residents.

Ultimately, this project demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform communities into thriving, resilient environments capable of addressing both present and future challenges, thereby significantly enhancing mental health, physical well-being, and social engagement.

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