My work is based on the belief that places are best designed collaboratively. As a participatory designer, I make a distinction between less-engaged public design processes that invite citizens to participate, and those that demand that designers participate in the life of the communities where they work. My research and design methods draw from anthropology and ethnography and involve a deep commitment to place, local expertise, and environmental justice. I have applied this research approach to urban activism in Barcelona and to urban agriculture in Sacramento. In both places, I explore ways that designers can best utilize their skills to benefit the common good.
PUBLISHED JOURNAL ARTICLES (*peer reviewed, **invited)
1. De la Peña, David, Hester, Randolph , Hou, Jeffrey, Jones Allen, Diane, & Lawson, Laura. “Together We Design: Landscape architects offer their best techniques for transactive form-making.” Landscape Research Record 03. (2015).* David de la Peña CV 2016
2. Cole-Weiss, Alex and David de la Peña. “International Garden of Many Colors.” The Community Greening Review, Journal of the American Community Garden Association. Volume 20 (2015).*
3. De la Peña, David. “New Landscape Urbanisms: Promising new paths for urban design.” Journal of Urban Design (2015).**
JOURNAL ARTICLES IN PROGRESS († submitted)
1. De la Peña, David. “Politics in the studio: the pedagogical value of contentious projects.” (IN PROGRESS)
2. De la Peña, David. “Understanding informality in urban agriculture: (IN PROGRESS)
3. De la Peña, David & Raons Públiques. “Trojan Horse in the Playground.” (IN PROGRESS)
BOOKS IN PROGRESS († submitted)
1. De la Peña, David, Randolph Hester, Jeffrey Hou, Diane Jones-Allen, Laura Lawson, Marcia McNally, editors. Together We Design: techniques for transactive community design. New Island Press. (SUBMITTED 2016) †
BOOK CHAPTERS PUBLISHED (*peer reviewed, **invited)
1. De la Peña, David. “Edible Sacramento: Soil Born Farms as a community-based approach to expanding urban agriculture” in Keane, Tim, ed., “incite Change | Change insight” (2015). New Prairie Press. (2015)*
2. De la Peña, David. “Participation and activism: the case of Can Batlló” in Critical Files of the Barcelona Model, 1973-‐2004. Barcelona: Ajuntament de Barcelona & Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (2012)*
BOOK CHAPTERS IN PROGRESS († submitted)
1. De la Peña, David. “Reform! RE-FORM! An Introduction to Together We Design; “Going to the Peoples’ Coming;” and “El Carrito” in Together We Design: techniques for transactive community design, de la Peña, David, Randolph Hester, Jeffrey Hou, Diane Jones-Allen, Laura Lawson, Marcia McNally, editors. (SUBMITTED 2016) †
2. De la Peña, David. “Going to the Peoples’ Coming.” in Together We Design: techniques for transactive community design, de la Peña, David, Randolph Hester, Jeffrey Hou, Diane Jones-Allen, Laura Lawson, Marcia McNally, editors. (SUBMITTED 2016) †
3. De la Peña, David & Raons Públiques. “El Carrito.” in Together We Design: techniques for transactive community design, de la Peña, David, Randolph Hester, Jeffrey Hou, Diane Jones-Allen, Laura Lawson, Marcia McNally, editors. (SUBMITTED 2016) †
BOOK REVIEWS
1. Review and excerpt: Transforming Barcelona, by Tim Marshall. in Montaner, Josep María, Alvárez, Fernando, and Muxí, Zaida (eds.), Reader: Archivo Crítico Modelo Barcelona, 1973-‐2004. Barcelona: Ajuntament de Barcelona & Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (2014)
2. Review and excerpt: Building Barcelona, by Peter G. Rowe. in Montaner, Josep María, Alvárez, Fernando, and Muxí, Zaida (eds.), Reader: Archivo Crítico Modelo Barcelona, 1973-‐2004. Barcelona: Ajuntament de Barcelona & Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (2014) David de la Peña CV 2016
LIMITED DISTRIBUTION REPORTS
1. Migrant Farmworker Housing in California: Histories and Regulatory Frameworks. With Todd Simmons and Jessica Smith. UC Davis Department of Energy Solar Decathlon Research Paper. (2014)
2. North Watt Avenue Corridor Plan. In collaboration with AECOM and Mogavero Notestine Associates (MNA). Client: County of Sacramento (Public Review Draft November, 2011)
3. Dawson Drive Industrial Area Concepts & Design Guidelines. With MNA and Seifel Consulting. Client: City of Camarillo. (May, 2010)
4. How Shall We Grow? Community Vision: Happy Valley & Cottonwood, CA. With MNA and the Local Government Commission. Client: County of Shasta. (2009)
5. Fair Oaks Village Enhancement Vision. With MNA. Client: Fair Oaks Village Enhancement Committee and County of Sacramento. (August, 2008)
6. The Avenues Neighborhood Improvement Plan, Chico, CA. In collaboration with MNA, The Local Government Commission, and Glatting Jackson. Client: City of Chico. (April, 2008)
7. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Streetscape & Urban Design Master Plan, Sacramento, CA. With MNA, Glatting Jackson, and the Local Government Commission. Client: City of Sacramento. (2008)
8. Wasco Downtown Revitalization Study, Wasco, CA. With MNA, Applied Development Economics, and The Place Making Group. Client: City of Wasco. (December, 2008)
9. Richland Housing Master Plan, Yuba City, CA. With MNA. Client: Consolidated Area Housing Authority of Sutter County. (July, 2007)
David de la Peña 