Upcoming Webinar: Responsive Landscapes Through Authentic Engagement

Responsive Landscapes Through Authentic Engagement: Lessons from the Detroit Collaborative Design Center

Wednesday, April 22
1-2pm EDT

As cities like Detroit confront climate change, aging infrastructure, and ever evolving community priorities, landscape design must become more collaborative, measurable, and data driven. In this webinar, the Detroit Collaborative Design Center (DCDC) will give an in-depth look at their participatory, community-based approach that centers residents as co-creators.

Attendees will learn strategies for authentic collaborations, setting clear stakeholder objectives year over year, and building trust through inclusive communication. The webinar will examine community-informed site analysis methods, co-creation techniques, workshops, charrettes, and digital platforms that help DCDC build consensus and translate community insight into actionable solutions. Presenters will also touch on performance tracking and post-occupancy evaluations to ensure landscapes deliver long-term environmental and social impact. Through Detroit-based case studies and practical tips, this webinar demonstrates how participatory engagement and data-driven processes can shape equitable, responsive landscapes for the future.

DCDC is the 2025 recipient of the LAF Founders’ Award. The multidisciplinary, nonprofit design center is based in the University of Detroit Mercy’s School of Architecture and Community Development and is a leader in the field of public interest design. The webinar will begin with a brief award recognition.

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Sponsor

Learning Objectives

Explain how authentic, community‑centered collaboration shapes responsive landscapes and builds consensus and trust over time
Identify effective engagement tools and co-creation methods to translate community input into design decisions
Understand how performance tracking and post‑occupancy evaluation are used in participatory landscape projects to support long‑term environmental and social goals

Continuing Educations Credits

This course is pending approval for 1.0 Professional Development Hour (PDH) through the Landscape Architecture Continuing Education System (LA CES) and meets the health, safety and welfare requirements (HSW). 1.0 PDH (LA CES/HSW) may be earned upon completion of a short quiz following the webinar.

Speakers

Charles Cross
Director of Landscape and Urban Design, Detroit Collaborative Design Center
Adjunct Professor, School of Architecture and Community Development
University of Detroit Mercy

Wil Marquez
Co-Executive Director
Detroit Collaborative Design Center
University of Detroit Mercy

Kofi Boone, FASLA (Moderator)
Joseph D. Moore Distinguished Professor of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning
North Carolina State University