In this PlanPhilly interview Ian explained his view on how architects can be more empathetic and contribute to communities of color. The interview explored how real estate development is tied to race. Ian discusses his methodology on practicing empathy to discover meaning in design, delves into the reasons for development being limited in communities of color, and presents some strategies for creating safe public spaces for all.
Much like actors, detectives, or forensic investigators, architects are trained to imagine what it is like to walk in another person’s shoes. Interpreting a user’s experience is directly proportional to the empathy that is offered to the determination of a design outcome.