In many ways, this project serves as a canvas for my values and what drives me as a designer. The goal was to create an urban system that grants citizens more control over the character, appearance, and usability of their space. The connection between space and the environment's values is clear and prominent.

Principles from ancient democracies, the beginnings of political thought, sociologists, and urban planners were my starting points for the system.

Despite the mental and chronological challenges this year has brought, I continued developing this system. I believe such a system can and should play a role in restoring our devastated communities in the South, the North, and throughout our grieving land. Proper urban planning can influence social dynamics, opportunities, climate, and community.

The relationship among material culture, space, and community has intrigued me since my first year of studies, and it's a field I wish to pursue further in research. One aspect that attracted me to this field (urban design from an industrial designer's perspective) is the quick transition from theory to practice, to action, and to impact.

The system will continue to undergo formal development, imbuing it with my design style and the cultural and historical contexts it references. Until then, I am presenting the project as it was submitted, along with an accompanying article on the creative process. If you're interested in the theoretical and technical aspects that led to this project, feel free to read on.

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