Empathic Design

Can empathy change the way we design our cities? This compelling question drives a 2024 Booked on Planning podcast episode, where we delve into the world of empathic urban planning with Elgin Cleckley, author of “Empathic Design: Perspectives on Creating Inclusive Spaces.” Elgin’s insights detail how empathy in design transcends aesthetics, focusing on the built environment’s ability to recognize and honor identity, culture, history, memory, and place. He highlights the powerful story of the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama, and its poignant connection to Charlottesville, Virginia, through the narrative of John Henry James, a Black ice cream salesman lynched in 1898.

Empathic design, as discussed by Cleckley, involves recognizing how people are seen and acknowledged in the built environment. This approach incorporates layers of identity, culture, history, memory, and place, ensuring that spaces resonate with the communities they serve. One of the most impactful examples shared is the National Memorial for Peace and Justice. This memorial not only honors the victims of lynching but also fosters a deeper understanding of the historical context and its present-day implications. The placement of commemorative columns at grade level in Charlottesville creates a one-to-one relationship with the memorial, telling a Black narrative in the city for the first time.

The book also features Christine Gaspar’s enlightening perspectives on integrating nature and empathy into design. Gaspar emphasizes the transformative potential of materials in design, highlighting projects like Nina Cook-John’s Harriet Tubman Memorial and Liz Ogbu’s storytelling unit in Hunter’s Point. These projects use materials to transform spaces and foster human connections, illustrating how design can be both functional and emotionally resonant. Joyce Wang’s innovative creations, including the Habitat Wall and pollinator lounges, push the boundaries of design by considering both human and animal needs. This approach underscores the importance of fostering a new generation of empathic designers who are deeply attuned to their natural surroundings and local communities.

The necessity of continuous community engagement in urban planning is another critical theme explored. Ann Nygaard’s Jefferson Park project in Lynchburg serves as a prime example of how extensive research and sustained dialogue with communities can lead to more meaningful and empathetic planning outcomes. By examining Liz Ogbu’s work in Akron, we see how spaces designed for conversation can heal and unite communities. This emphasizes the need for planners to establish conditions conducive to deep, respectful dialogues, ensuring that community stories are preserved and integrated into the planning process.

Throughout the book, the role of storytelling in planning is repeatedly emphasized. Storytelling is seen as a gateway to empathy, enabling planners and designers to connect deeply with the communities they serve. This approach is exemplified in the Jefferson Park project, where historical narratives and community memories were used to shape meaningful public spaces. Examples like this illustrate the vital role of storytelling in ensuring that the built environment reflects the experiences and needs of the community.

In addition to these main themes, economic aspects of empathic design is touched on. Cleckley highlights the work of Hoodhuggers International in Asheville, North Carolina, where efforts are being made to support BIPOC communities through economic innovation. This project, supported by the City of Asheville’s Reparations Committee, aims to create a wellness and health space that also addresses economic disparities. This example underscores the importance of considering economic factors in empathic design, ensuring that communities are not only recognized and honored but also supported in tangible ways.

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