7. Design Activism: Building for Community with Mark Lakeman

19/05/2025 1h 14min Episodio 7
7. Design Activism: Building for Community with Mark Lakeman

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Episode Synopsis

Irene and Sandy are joined by visionary architect and design activist Mark Lakeman, founder and longtime spark for the infamous City Repair Project, and the creative director of Communitecture, Architecture & Planning. As a design activist, Mark fuses urban design and architecture with permaculture and revolutionary policy. As the actual Incredible Hulk of community place making, Mark coaches communities everywhere to never take no for an answer. Mark shares his journey from traditional architecture into the world of community placemaking, offering an inspiring perspective on how our built environments shape, and too often limit, our sense of belonging and human connection. Together, they dive deep into the systems shaping our collective well-being and health of our planet. They also explore why many Western cities feel inhospitable and isolating, uncovering the historical roots of our urban design and the erasure of true communal spaces, what “revillaging” our lives one small act at a time looks like, and more.If you’re hungry for wisdom on how to spark REAL change, restore the commons, and rediscover the joy of community (even in the face of today’s daunting challenges), this episode is a powerful reminder that transformation starts right outside your door. Get ready to be inspired and step into your own “Hulk moment” of local creative action!In today’s episode, we cover:What ‘revillaging’ means + Mark’s first tiny library & what this led toColonialism's Blueprint: Land MandatesWhy it’s “easy” (and common) to live isolated in our neighborhoods & communitiesContributing to the world by truly becoming yourselfGrassroots community for system changeThe increase in historic repression and public resistanceChoosing your community over self-interestThe power that comes from building connection through listeningLinks/Resources mentioned in episode:Check out Mark’s [email protected]@cityrepair.orgwww.cityrepair.org communitecture.netConnect with us on socials:InstagramFacebookTikTokLinkedInLearn more about us by visiting our website