Part I: What is Spatial Justice? Principles of Planning for Welcoming Public Spaces

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What is spatial justice, and how can cities and towns use this framework to rethink how their built environment supports people’s rights to be, thrive, express and connect? What role can artists and public art play in helping us imagine and shape more inclusive, thriving public spaces throughout Greater Boston? Join a lively discussion among artists, activists, and urbanists who are leading the conversation about spatial justice in our region.  

Part I: What is Spatial Justice? Principles of Planning for Welcoming Public Spaces is part one of Whose Public? Planning and Placemaking for Welcoming Public Spaces, a three-part discussion series that explores the role that planners, artists, and government staff can play in shaping just, joyful, and inclusive public spaces.  

Speakers

Kenneth Bailey, co-founder, Design Studio for Social Intervention

Kenneth Bailey is the co-founder of the Design Studio for Social Intervention. His interests focus on the research and development of design tools for marginalized communities to address complex social issues. With over three decades of experience in community practice, Bailey brings a unique perspective on the ethics of design in relation to community engagement, the arts and cultural action. Projects he has produced at ds4si include Action Lab (2012- 2014), Public Kitchen (2011-2018), Social Emergency Response Center (SERC, 2017), People’s Redevelopment Authority (2018) and inPUBLIC (2019). Bailey was recently a Visiting Scholar in collaboration with University of Tasmania and also a founding member of Theatrum Mundi NYC with Richard Sennett. He is currently pursuing his MFA at Bennington College. His new book (co-authored with DS4SI) is entitled “Ideas—Arrangements--Effects: Systems Design and Social Justice” (Minor Compositions, 2020). 

Molly Rose Kaufman, co-director and provost, University of Orange

Molly Rose Kaufman is the Co-Director and Provost of the University of Orange, a free school of urbanism in Orange, NJ. UofO builds collective capacity for our friends, neighbors, and partners to cultivate a just and equitable city. UfO offers free courses, works in local coalitions to promote education across the lifecycle, and advocates for equity in urban planning. Molly co-founded the organization in 2008 alongside family members, local activists and community leaders. She serves as a member of the board of the Jersey City Public Library and as Co- Chair of the Board of the World Fellowship Center. She teaches in the Gural Scholars Social Justice program at the New School University. 

Anthony Romero, artist, writer, and organizer

Anthony Romero is an artist, writer, and organizer committed to documenting and supporting artists and communities of color. 

'Public Art, Public Places' 

This mini-series is part of an ongoing collaboration, “Public Art, Public Places,” between the Metropolitan Area Planning Council and the New England Foundation for the Arts that hosts cross-sector conversations for planners, artists, culture bearers, and community leaders. 

To learn more about our Public Art programs, visit our Public Art Program Page. 

Read "Refusing the Past, Imagining the Future" by Lori Lobenstine to learn more about spatial justice.

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