Social MappingAn Inclusive and Participatory Design for the

Hult Plaza in Eugene

Ana Paricio, Visiting Scholar Universitat Oberta de Catalunya

In collaboration with Philip Speranza Architecture

Participation

_Public space is not a natural or neutral space but a political space, built by

different actors: residents, visitors, local associations, business and state/government

_Spaces have different meanings and represent different power relations that change based on time and actors involved. That is why we can stimulate spaces for coexistence and cohesion or for exclusion and isolation.

_A good way to ensure good planning is to listen to all the actors’ voices, to allow

everyone to participate in processes that achieve inclusive spaces.

Inclusivity

_Cities tend to be designed, for independent individuals, upper-middle class who work, have a car and assume little home care responsibilities. However we all require to a lesser or greater degree others to survive: we are interdependent throughout our life cycle (young, old people) and we need spaces and services that favor these relations of interdependence.

_The activities of the social (re) production related to this interdependence (such as food shopping, going to the doctor, taking care of the sick or children, social interaction, participation in the community and play areas etc. ) have a spatial translation. Depending on how cities are organized these activities and tasks become more or less easy to carry out, and we provide it with greater or lesser quality of life.

The project: Redesign Proposal for Hult Center Performing Arts Plaza

Goal: Transform the space to Place for Arts and Culture, a Plaza for gathering diverse kinds of people, inclusive and active. Build an art lovers community.

Participatory process in planning

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Methodology

**Diagnosis:

Qualitative and quantitative methodologies, approach to spatial design from both perspectives

1.Participatory observation diagrams

2.Interviews, semi-structured mapping

3. Social Cohesion Tool wheel diagram

Participatory observation

some conclusions:

_main activity is passing through 94% (not staying)

_most users are men, adults by themselves

_lack diversity

_lack interaction

Interviews

Looking for new uses and new occupants, interview were done with 7 persons (school teacher, resident of downtown, small business owner, government person, UO student, worker, transient, UO teacher)

Which are downtown’s iconic places? Which are Eugene’s downtown values? Which places do you meet people (public or third spaces)? Which social services do you use? Where do you feel safe/unsafe downtown? How do you move in downtown? Which paths do you use in downtown? How is mobility in downtown? What does downtown need ( housing, social services, business…)? Which activities would you enjoy in the Plaza? How would you design the Plaza? What about a big screen…

Mapping: Iconic and

Mapping:Iconic and values

Mapping: Interaction

Mapping: Interaction and safety

Mapping: Services

Mapping: Services

Mapping: Paths and mobility

Mapping: Paths and mobility

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Mapping: Linking layers

Hult Plaza redesign Qualities (verb)

Sitting Serves Everyone Better Visibility Better Accessibility Safe and Fun from Kids Better Connectivity inside/outside Better edges Shelter Better and new materials

Events (nouns)

Concerts/live music Movies Open performances Arts installation Interactive Technology Street Fair Food Options Simulcast Sport Events

Ambient Qualities (adjectives)

Comfortable Dynamic Inviting Feel Home Green and Blue (river) Walking destination Iconic place Captive attention

Hult Plaza redesign

Social Interaction Tool-Eugene

*data collection by gender, age, ethnicity when possible

Social Interaction Tool-Eugene

Results: Better understanding of the place/people and different approach to programming