This program brings together residents of the San Lazaro mobile home community, EcoArts Connections (an embedded local nonprofit) and CU Boulder students to collaborate and create a comprehensive plan for sustainable and resilient micro-infrastructure.

San Lazaro is predominantly Latinx community in Boulder County that is highly vulnerable to hazards, climate change, and infrastructure degradation. To address these challenges without compromising San Lazaro’s affordability, CU Boulder’s Center for Community-Engaged Design and Research (CEDaR) will help facilitate a community-driven design process to develop infrastructure that contributes community’s social and environmental resilience.

The project will benefit San Lazaro residents while helping CU Boulder students learn first hand about the community-led, participatory design process and its potential for meaningful power redistribution to communities. This initiative will include conducting a thorough analysis of the community’s current infrastructure, identifying potential vulnerabilities and co-developing innovative solutions to address them. The collaboration will provide San Lorenzo community members with technical expertise and resources to co-design and implement a prototype of a resilient infrastructure solution that can withstand and adapt to the changing environment. In addition, the CU Boulder team will work closely with local stakeholders to understand their unique challenges, priorities and aspirations to co-create a plan that reflects the community’s needs and values.

The project comprises pre-engagement activities, on-site modules, and a post-experience evaluation. In phase one, the CU Boulder team and collaborators from EcoArts Connections will identify potential community co-designers and conduct initial site visit. Phase two will involve collaborative planning and design of the infrastructure project with the community. Students will work closely with community members to develop the project scope, define the design parameters and identify the required resources. Phase three will include project implementation and construction of a prototype project including off-site manufacturing, material sourcing, assembly and delivery of the project to the community.

Throughout the program, the team will conduct ongoing evaluation to measure progress on identified objectives and to gather feedback for improvement. At the end of the program, all work completed in the CEDaR studio will be documented and posted online in book format to showcase the project’s contribution to student learning.

• Community-led design of resilient infrastructure

  Additional Info

  This project addresses Latinx San Lazaro community challenges through resilient infrastructure against gentrification, climate change and costs. Participants will identify affordable solutions (solar, gardens, rainwater) for boosted resilience, social-environmental well-being and upgraded infrastructure.
  
  
  
  
  

  ---

  Location

  in colorado

  Boulder

  Dates

  Ongoing

  Public or Private

  Public Program (open to the public)

  Program Fee

  Not Applicable

• Community-led design of resilient infrastructure Phase 2

  Additional Info

  In the first phase of the San Lazaro project, the focus was on identifying the community's most pressing needs through active engagement. The project team organized community events, held meetings with local leaders, and conducted a neighborhood tour to gather input directly from residents. A co-design activity involving both mothers and children was used to pinpoint key concerns, with priorities from both groups merged and finalized through a community-wide vote.
  
  The outcomes of this phase were formalized in a "community agreement," which identified the top three issues: lack of lighting, lack of kitchen storage, and pool improvements. This process built a strong foundation of trust and collaboration, ensuring that the project would address the community's most urgent needs.

  ---

  Location

  in colorado

  Boulder

  Dates

  Ongoing

  Public or Private

  Public Program (open to the public)

  Program Fee

  No charge to attend/participate in activity or program