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Design + Civic Leadership | Overview

The relationship between design and civic leadership is particularly relevant today as we navigate the development and management of our cities in the changing 21st century. Leaders in architecture, urban planning, development and civic agencies participated in “Design + Civic Leadership,” the second in the series of Glass House Conversations sponsored by Oldcastle Glass.

Guests discussed case studies that demonstrated the challenges and successes in civic engagement and design. The exchange explored the many facets of civic participation, including “compromises that result from engaging the public” to “cultivating an educated citizen in order to participate fully and helpfully in a design dialogue and public review process.” Architects, planners and civic leaders should work together to build an appetite for good design in communities and to reframe public dialogues about “design” into public dialogues about how we live our lives and the quality of life we want the city to offer. Successful development was defined as serving the public need for a livable, dynamic city where civic leaders support a long-term, planning-oriented view. Public participation is too often presented as an opportunity to vote for or against something where “dialogue” may be confused with “decision-making.” Public participation, with an informed, educated public, should offer architects, planners and the decision-makers opportunities to learn from the public about how they want to live in the city.

“I found remarkable the degree to which one’s preconceived ideas about a subject can be altered or tempered by an intense dialogue with individuals representing a broad spectrum of viewpoints and experience," said Charles Granquist, moderator of Design + Civic Leadership. "I find myself far better positioned to discuss the future roles of planning, architecture, and civic engagement in shaping individual projects and whole communities.”

An investment in education was underscored as a way to inform a better public engagement process. An informed and engaged public will be a better “client” for architects and planners. Lastly, environmental literacy was offered as a model for design literacy. Kids are successful ambassadors for sustainability, energy conservation and recycling. Through educational initiatives, they can also become advocates for design excellence. Participants noted opportunities for addressing environmental challenges including water, global warming and over consumption as design challenges.

Oldcastle Glass is the exclusive sponsor of Glass House Conversations.