Design by means of citizen activism: three cases illustrated by the action of Coletivo Maré, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract

Abstract: In this paper, we will (1) provide a context to a Brazilian practice in codesign; (2) introduce the Complexo da Maré and the work of Coletivo Maré; to showcase three situations involving collaborative design practice, using participant observation (Ingold, 2012). (3) Later, we will discuss acts of improvisation by revisiting concepts such as ‘tactics’ (de Certeau, 1988), ‘collaborative learning’ and ‘ways of cooperating and making together’ (Sennett, 2009, 2013). Our final considerations discuss forms of spatial qualification based on the human perception and experience of space that are unveiled by collective action.