The Participatory Design Legacy of Henry Sanoff Co-Creation and Community-Based Design Learning

 1. Introduction: Ways of Knowing Through Henry Sanoff

2. Overview of Henry Sanoff’s Oeuvre and Impact

3. Co-Creation as Culture in the Spirit of Henry Sanoff

4. Sanoff’s Social Construction Pedagogical Model

5. Community-Based Learning in Urban Planning at a Minority-Serving Institution

6. Urban Place-Making through Memory, Co-Creation, and Empathy-Driven Design

7. Designing With, Not For: Participatory Pedagogy in Rural Regeneration

8. Co-Creating Sustainable Rural Futures: Ecology, Economy, and Community

9. Reciprocity in Planning Pedagogy: How Community-Based Projects Create Local Benefit

10. Mentorship Across Time: Alumni-Led Community-Based Projects

11. Co-Creation for Sustainable Tourism in Fragile Contexts

12. User-Centred Inquiries into Learning Environments

13. Co-Assessment of University Campuses Using Walking Tours and Smart Tools

Conclusion: The Living Work – A Shared Prospect

Biography

Ashraf M. Salama is Professor of Architecture and Urbanism and Head of the School of Architecture and the Built Environment at the University of Northumbria at Newcastle. Co-Director of the UNESCO/UIA Validation Council for Architectural Education, he has chaired four schools of architecture across Egypt, Qatar, and the United Kingdom over 25 years. He holds an honorary professorship at the University Putra Malaysia and has held tenured and visiting positions across nine countries. Educated at Al Azhar University in Egypt and North Carolina State University in the United States, he has secured over £2.5 million in research funding and published more than 250 outputs, including 18 books, 130 articles in leading journals, and more than 40 chapters on architectural pedagogy, sustainable urbanism, and assessment of designed environments. He has supervised more than 25 PhD theses to completion as primary supervisor and examined over 40 doctoral theses internationally. He is the Chief Editor of International Journal of Architectural Research and the recipient of the UIA 2017 Jean Tschumi Prize for Excellence in Architectural Education and Criticism.

Celen Pasalar is Associate Professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning at North Carolina State University, where she also serves as Extension Coordinator for the College of Design. A University Faculty Scholar, she serves on the Executive Leadership team of NC State’s Global One Health Academy and on the Board of Directors of the Environmental Design Research Association. Her interdisciplinary scholarship bridges design, public health, and environmental resilience. Her work examines how built and natural environments influence community wellbeing, advancing evidence-based design strategies for healthier and climate-responsive communities. Working across urban and rural contexts, she leads interdisciplinary, community-engaged research that translates design inquiry into policy and measurable impact. She has secured more than $2.5 million in external funding, including grants from the National Science Foundation and FEMA. Her work has earned national recognition, including multiple ASLA awards and the 2020 CELA Excellence in Service-Learning Award.

Zeynep Toker is Professor of Urban Planning and Department Chair of Urban Studies and Planning at California State University, Northridge. She holds degrees in City and Regional Planning and Urban Design from Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey, a PhD in Community and Environmental Design from North Carolina State University and completed postdoctoral studies at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom. Since 2006, she has successfully led more than 30 community-based learning projects in partnership with local government agencies and nonprofits across Los Angeles, California. Applying a feminist framework, her research addresses community participation in urban planning, sustainable urbanism, and the relationship between streetscape design and public health. Her work has been published in leading journals in the field and has informed planning practice at the local and regional level. She is the recipient of the American Planning Association California Chapter’s Academic Project Award (2018) and the Association of Environmental Professionals' Achievement Award (2016).

"Written by three of Henry Sanoff’s protégés—Ashraf M. Salama, Celen Pasalar, and Zeynep Toker—The Participatory Design Legacy of Henry Sanoff: Co-Creation and Community-Based Design Learning offers a fascinating and accessible account of Sanoff’s thinking, pedagogy, and practice over seven decades. Across thirteen engaging chapters, the authors present a thoughtful reflection on participatory design and design learning while conveying their deep respect for their mentor. This book is highly recommended reading for researchers and practitioners across architecture, urban design, landscape architecture, interior design, and urban and environmental planning."

Robert W. Marans, FAICP, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Architecture and Urban Planning and Research Professor Emeritus, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States

"This book could not be more timely or necessary. Drawing on the life and work of Henry Sanoff, the authors weave a compelling narrative across time and space that articulates a vision for architecture shaped with communities. The book also presents an important model for contemporary architectural pedagogy and community-engaged design learning. Through its exploration of participatory design and community engagement, it highlights the enduring relevance of Sanoff’s ideas and their continuing influence on practice and education. This is a significant contribution to the canon of participatory architecture and design."

Flora Samuel, Ph.D., The Professor of Architecture (1970), University of Cambridge, United Kingdom

"A great book about a great man. As both scholar and practitioner Henry Sanoff has been a global giant in developing the field of participatory design for over half a century. The authors of this book demonstrate a complete understanding of his significance. It should be read by everyone progressing the essential task of improving democracy in placemaking."

Nick Wates, Nick Wates Associates, Community Architecture and Planning, Hastings, United Kingdom

"Empowerment is one of the most meaningful contributions one can make to others. Over several decades, Henry Sanoff advanced participatory design and co-creation as powerful means of strengthening communities and civic life. This book offers valuable insight into the richness and depth of his work and stands as a testament to the many lives he has influenced. It thoughtfully examines his role in establishing the Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA) and the Community Development Group (CDG) at North Carolina State University, while showing how his work connects professional, academic, and civic domains."

Carin Smuts, CS Studio Architects and Community Designers, Cape Town, South Africa

"The Participatory Design Legacy of Henry Sanoff: Co-Creation and Community-Based Design Learning is a timely and compelling exploration of participatory design and its importance for more democratic and inclusive planning and design practice. Through rich examples and thoughtful reflection, the authors show how Sanoff’s pioneering work helped bring community voices, often excluded, into the centre of design and decision-making. This book demonstrates the enduring relevance of collaborative design for strengthening communities and shaping more just environments. His work has been a model and inspiration to me and scores of others."

Ron Shiffman, FAICP, Hon. AIA, Professor Emeritus, Graduate Center for Planning and the Environment, Pratt Institute, New York, United States

"Henry Sanoff’s legacy spans multiple dimensions of design research and practice, bridging community engagement, studio pedagogy, activism, leadership, and institution-building. For decades, he has been a pioneering voice in participatory design, demonstrating how collaborative processes can empower communities and shape more inclusive environments. This book offers a comprehensive exploration of his extensive body of work, illuminating both the intellectual foundations and the practical impact of his contributions. It will be of interest to scholars, practitioners, community designers, and students seeking to understand the enduring significance of democratic design."

Newton D’Souza, Ph.D., Director of Doctoral Programs, College of Design, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, United States.