Design for Community Building in Villages

This PhD research aims to explore the community-building framework through the lens of community-centred design applied in the context of villages. The study follows the Research through Design methodology, incorporating two main components: delving into the understanding of community within the design discourse and deriving insights from a sociological standpoint, and testing theory in a context defined as Clustering Villages in China. A series of principles and a framework will be proposed. Furthermore, the study will explore the legacy of design practices within the village. Insights obtained from this exploration will not only inform the sustainable development of the community but also provide valuable considerations for design groups. Agenda 21 emphasises human resources development and capacity-building as important means of implementation to support sustainable human settlements and rural development. In line with this global trend, a series of policies about rural revitalisation have been published in China since 2017, from the national government to the local government. The focus has gradually shifted from infrastructure construction to human development perspectives. These policies have also influenced the target village, giving it the characteristics of clustering villages. Residents from different villages, original villages, and cities come together, providing the soil for new relationship building. Meanwhile, the practice of design in the context of villages is on the rise. Among these design activities, a focus on the community as a social form has been gaining attention, while the research trend around the community is shifting. Despite this shift, a shared definition of what we mean when using the term community in the design context lacks systematic exploration. Additionally, while the practice of design in the context of villages is increasing, it is currently uncertain how design can facilitate sustainable community development in villages.