Community engagement case studies

With cities around the world struggling to deliver good growth, could a shift in public engagement be the answer? Four inspiring case studies offer creative ways forward.

Inspiration for city-shapers

These case studies showcase grassroots projects ranging from walking groups to intergenerational workshops. Originally commissioned as part of the Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism in 2026, their community-led techniques can be applied in any town or city, from Baltimore to Birmingham.

Each offers practical tips for clients commissioning new development, as well as community organisers and resident groups.

Image (top): One of the groups taking part in The Walking Drawing project

Download the case studies

The Walking Drawing

In this project, members of the public joined walking groups and toured their city, drawing the buildings on a portable easel. A creative and inclusive early-stage engagement activity.

Our Hagwon

How do you encourage people to reimagine a boring feature of urban life? This project invited students to transform the often faceless commercial spaces used for after-school academies. It opened their eyes.

Soft Edges

At the edge of cities, old and new developments often clash. This project brought together children from new apartments with older residents from established communities. It shows you how to tackle social isolation.

If you love Seoul, you can wear it

This case study shows you how to understand the way people feel about the buildings in their neighbourhood, and apply that data to the design of a façade.

사례 연구 다운로드

걷기 드로잉

이 프로젝트에서 시민들은 걷기 모임에 참여해 도시를 둘러보며 휴대용 이젤을 이용해 건물을 그렸습니다. 이는 창의적이면서도 포용적인 초기 단계의 참여 활동이었습니다.

우리들의 학원

도시 생활의 지루한 요소를 새롭게 바라보도록 사람들을 어떻게 독려할 수 있을까요? 이 프로젝트는 학생들이 방과 후 학원 등으로 쓰이는, 으레 개성 없이 평범해 보이는 상업 공간을 탈바꿈시켜 보도록 했습니다. 이는 학생들의 시야를 넓혀주는 계기가 되었습니다.

부드러운 경계

도시 외곽 지역에서는 신규 개발지와 기존 주거지가 종종 충돌하곤 합니다. 이 프로젝트는 신축 아파트에 사는 아이들과 기존 지역사회의 고령 주민들을 한데 모았습니다. 이는 사회적 고립 문제를 어떻게 해결할 수 있는지 보여줍니다.

사랑한다면 입을 수 있어요

이 사례 연구는 사람들이 동네 건물에 대해 느끼는 감정을 파악하고, 해당 데이터를 파사드 설계에 적용하는 방법을 보여줍니다.

Watch short films about the projects

About the Creative Communities programme

These four projects formed part of a larger Creative Communities programme at the Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism, led by Matt Bell and Dr Jiyoon Lee. It helped turn the Biennale into a city-wide conversation that belonged to everyone, not just professionals.

It began with an open call for proposals from designers, artists and activists with direct experience of collaborating with communities. Each project received KRW 20,000,000 (approximately USD 13,000) in public funding. Out of 83 applications, ten projects were selected and nine delivered, directly involving over 1,000 participants, with the results showcased in different formats during the Biennale to 810,000 visitors.

The four case studies featured here have been chosen because they represent the breadth of the nine projects and are replicable in other contexts across the world. The studies have been written by Hyelim Jang in collaboration with the Creative Communities project teams.

JOIN

Want buildings and cities that are more interesting, joyful and human?

Join the campaign and help make change happen.