The Our Skid Row neighborhood vision plan, put forward by the residents of Los Angeles’s Skid Row, underscores the fact that some of the most relevant and innovative planning solutions can come from community members themselves. Organizers expected that Skid Row residents, many of them homeless, would request more housing. They were surprised to learn that the community really wanted enhancements they didn’t anticipate: amenities like cellphone charging stations, community bulletin boards, and meditation centers. Architect and community organizer Theresa Hwang spearheaded the series of inclusive participatory design workshops, which were hosted by Skid Row Housing Trust. Read Wendy Gilmartin’s article to learn how Our Skid Row achieved this remarkably participation-driven plan, which is currently being considered for adoption into the community general plan for Downtown Los Angeles.

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