Empower Community Development in Puerto Rico

The past few months have been full of work and goals achieved in the three projects part of the Participatory Design Laboratory. Through various imaginary and participatory design workshops we have supported the communities to carry out the work that will later support the actions of each of the organizations.

In Caguas we are integrating a fence into the community market space in order to make the space safer. This market is carried out in an occupied previously abandoned property and now is a thriving community space. Interestingly, this fence has the ability to manually raise and lower in order to fulfill the duality of serving as a plaza and a platform at the same time. It is mainly made by re-used fences donated by members of the community and welded into frames on-site. Additionally, work is being done with the installation of a ramp in order to improve accessibility to the space and a planter that will serve as a bench and an area to contain and preserve the Almond tree, so important for the shade of the place. In the next few days we will be with volunteer brigades removing and cleaning bricks to reuse them to cover the garden bench, the fences will also be sanded and painted.

In the municipality of Aguadilla we support the management of the installation and design of the wagon where the fishermen will soon be selling fresh fish on the beach. Additionally, we have been collecting information on flora and fauna and planting with volunteers, as part of the development of mitigation and adaptation strategies. In the coming months we will be supporting the fishermen to build a small wooden roof in order to create a seating area near the wagon.

In Loíza we were supporting the installation of the roof of a future community kitchen. This process was a clear example that collaboration is essential when developing community projects. For the purchase of materials and installation of the roof, two additional local organizations came together and the project was accomplished in less than two days of work. As the next steps we will be supporting with cleaning brigades and future installation of furniture and equipment.

We have been working with another community in Loíza ideating and creating a space for outdoor activities such as readings, movie, playing, gardening and theater nights, the transformation of a community garden, ecological projects, among other activities to benefit the community. This Center is located in an Elementary School of the neighborhood in Piñones, occupied and rescued by local organizations. This school was one of the more than 400 schools that the government of Puerto Rico closed as part of imposed austerity measures associated to Puerto Rico’s fiscal debt.  Through participatory design workshops with kids and teachers we co-designed the future patio. Currenlty we are prepping the area so we can install the designed project, this prep includes tree pruning, pressure water machine of the areas, painting, floor repairs and fumigation work for termites. Games, garden and library installation will be carried out in november and a big celebration and inauguration of the space will be carried out on december.

Until next time.