David de la Pena

David de la Peña | An Island Press author

David de la Pena

David de la Peña is Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design in the Department of Human Ecology at the University of California–Davis. As an architect and urban designer, he has practiced professionally for over a decade, specializing in sustainable architecture and community-based design. He received his Masters in Architecture from the University of Texas–Austin (1998), and his Masters in Urban Design (2006) and PhD in Environmental Planning (2013) from the University of California–Berkeley. His research focus is on participatory urbanism and the engagement of designers in grassroots community projects. He has published articles and chapters on participatory design in Barcelona and the US, and on grassroots urban agriculture movements in California. Additionally he is a lead collaborator since 2013 on the US Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon entries for UC–Davis, and is involved in numerous campus planning initiatives around communities for sustainable living and experiential learning.

What If We Asked Designers to Show Up in the Community?

By David de la Pena / On July 30th, 2018

Barcelona’s ‘carritos’ are encouraging a more inclusive urbanism.

#ForewordFriday: Democratic Design Edition

By Katharine Sucher / On December 15th, 2017

For decades, collaborative design has helped enliven neighborhoods and promote racial, economic, and social justice. But in an era marked by climate change, growing income inequality, and major advances in technology, designers are acknowledging the limitations of public forums and other conventional methods of community engagement.