Responsive Landscapes Through Authentic Engagement
Responsive Landscapes Through Authentic Engagement: Lessons from the Detroit Collaborative Design Center
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) gives an in-depth look at their participatory, community-based approach that centers residents as co-creators.
Viewers will learn strategies for authentic collaborations, setting clear stakeholder objectives year over year, and building trust through inclusive communication. The webinar examines 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 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 begins with a brief award recognition.
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 Education Credits
This course is approved 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). To earn 1.0 PDH (LA CES/HSW):
- View the full webinar above.
- Complete the short quiz by following the link below. (You must score 75% or higher.)
- Wait ~2 weeks to receive your confirmation email once the quizzes are graded and results submitted to LA CES.
By completing this quiz, you are also signing up to receive newsletters and program announcements from LAF. You can edit your subscription preferences or unsubscribe at any time.
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
