How can you use participatory action research to design with communities?

1 What is PAR?

PAR is a research methodology that combines inquiry, reflection, and action. It is based on the idea that people who experience a problem are the best experts to understand and solve it. PAR aims to create a cycle of learning and change, where people identify their needs, collect and analyze data, plan and test interventions, and evaluate and share the results. PAR is not a fixed set of methods or techniques, but a flexible and adaptable process that depends on the context and the participants.

3 How to use PAR for landscape architecture?

When using PAR for landscape architecture, there is no one-size-fits-all formula. However, there are some general steps to follow to guide the process. Firstly, define the purpose and scope of your project, as well as the main problem or question you want to address. Then, engage the community and other relevant stakeholders to establish a collaborative relationship based on trust, respect, and mutual learning. Next, co-design the research plan and methods for data collection and analysis, such as interviews, surveys, observations, mapping, participatory workshops, etc. Additionally, co-implement data collection and analysis while involving participants in interpreting and validating findings. Furthermore, co-generate design solutions and an action plan while involving participants in testing and refining them. Moreover, co-evaluate outcomes and impacts of the project while involving participants in documenting and disseminating results. Finally, co-reflect on the process and learnings while involving participants in identifying challenges, successes, and lessons learned.

4 What are the benefits of using PAR for landscape architecture?

Using PAR for landscape architecture can bring many benefits for you, the participants, and the project. These include improving the quality and effectiveness of your design solutions, as they are based on the real needs and preferences of the people who will use them. It can also enhance your professional skills and competencies, as you learn from the participants and from the process itself. Additionally, PAR can build trust and rapport with the community and other stakeholders, as you demonstrate your commitment and respect for their participation and input. Moreover, it can increase the sustainability and impact of your project, as the participants are more likely to support and maintain the solutions that they co-created. Finally, it can contribute to social and environmental justice and transformation by enabling participants to voice their concerns and aspirations, as well as act on them.

5 What are the challenges of using PAR for landscape architecture?

Using PAR for landscape architecture is not without its challenges and you need to be aware and prepared for them. For instance, ethical and practical dilemmas may arise, such as how to balance your role as a researcher, designer, and facilitator, how to manage power dynamics or conflicts, and how to guarantee the quality and rigor of the research and design. Additionally, you may need to anticipate resistance or skepticism from stakeholders who don’t understand or appreciate the PAR approach or have different expectations or agendas. Furthermore, PAR is a longer and more intensive process than conventional research and design methods, requiring more time and resources for communication and coordination. Lastly, you may need to improvise since PAR is an emergent and iterative process that can change depending on the situation and feedback.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?