Community Design Resource Center

Building Knowledge
Creating learning opportunities founded on reciprocity and partnership

Building Bridges
Establishing partnerships between the university and community for the mutual benefit of both institutions

Building Communities
Designing strategies for positive change in collaboration with our students, community partners, and faculty

… Building

The mission of the Community Design Resource Center is to enhance the quality of life in low and moderate income communities throughout the Houston region through design, research, education, and practice.

The Community Design Resource Center works to address issues of community development, design, planning, affordable housing and civic projects in partnership with communities. Over the last five years we have partnered with more than fifteen community-based organizations, the City, METRO, and others; we have collaborated with more than 500 residents and stakeholders; we have engaged more than 100 students in community-based learning projects and provided 25 summer student internships. We have organized four public exhibits of design work and produced eight design publications in association with our projects. In 2009 we completed the first Collaborative Community Design Initiative program which partners with four communities for a year providing comprehensive assistance with goal setting, visioning, and implementation strategies.

The Community Design Resource Center’s partnerships have significantly contributed to the public debate on the role of architecture and good design in catalyzing community change. As we move forward we are designing new ways to engage our community partners, and new ways to enhance the mutuality, reciprocity and impact of our activities.

Contact us at 713.743.2403 or by email at skrogers@mail.uh.edu




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