Design Process

THUR-A05: Staging Reciprocity: Designing with Communities for Justice and Resilience

Thursday, September 17, 2026

8:30 AM - 9:45 AM PT

1.50 PDH, LA CES/non-HSW

Speaker(s)

Yun Hye Hwang

Associate Professor
National University of Singapore
Singapore
Mari A. Fujita

Associate Professor
University of British Columbia, School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture
VANCOUVER, BC
Jeff Hou, FASLA (he/him/his)

Professor
National University of Singapore
Seattle, Washington

This session moves beyond transactional community engagement by introducing “thick reciprocity”—a framework for shared authorship and trust. Through case studies, learn to design with communities, not for them. Gain strategies for equitable, resilient, and meaningful projects that foster long-term stewardship and endure beyond project completion.

Learning Outcomes:

Identify key dimensions for staging reciprocity to move projects from thin transactional engagement toward thick transformational partnerships built on shared power.
Learn asset-based engagement processes that build mutual trust, facilitate knowledge exchange, and empower residents as co-creators rather than passive recipients.
Adapt and apply principles of reciprocity to projects of varying scales and timeframes, including tactical urbanism, capital projects, and long-term ecological stewardship.
Articulate the vital "middle ground" role of the designer as a facilitator who builds trust and brokers collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including institutions and community groups.