In education, as in other institutional systems, decisions about school facilities tend to be made by a few people who are not the direct building users, often ignoring the direct involvement of teachers and students. This book presents guidance for creating a constructive dialogue between school officials and the surrounding community on a school planning process that contributes to enhancing educational quality. The benefits of community participation are addressed as are descriptions of the principle parts of the participation process, including strategic planning, goal setting, and long...

Participatory design is an attitude about a force for change in the creation and management of environments for people. Its strength lies in being a movement that cuts across traditional professional boundaries and cultures. Its roots lie in the ideals of a participatory democracy where collective decision-making is highly decentralized throughout all sectors of society, so that all individuals learn participatory skills and can effectively participate in various ways in the making of all decisions that affect them. This collection represents the author's case studies in urban and small town...