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Design Process

THUR-C06: Public Lands Under Pressure: Co-creating Resilient Civic Spaces Through Collective Design

Thursday, September 17, 2026
2:15 PM - 3:30 PM PT
1.25 PDH, LA CES/HSW

How do we transform abandoned airports and vacated urban sites into new civic spaces shaped by community voice? Through the Santa Monica Airport Conversion and Fleet Block project, this session explores civic courage, social justice, art as healing, and transparent engagement to navigate competing interests and co-create resilient public landscapes.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Identify and transform underutilized sites—from decommissioned airports to vacant urban parcels—into functional, equitable, and vibrant public landscapes.
  • Integrate historical and social context into design to create spaces that respond to both past conditions and current community needs.
  • Manage complex stakeholder dynamics to translate community engagement and political pressures into actionable design outcomes.
  • Use art, culture, and creative placemaking as design tools to foster social healing, civic connection, and inclusive public spaces.