Co-Create with Residents: Participatory Action Research Approach in Surface Decoration of Old Buildings

This book explores the persistent tension between professional designers and residents in urban regeneration, where contrasting priorities—redevelopment versus rehabilitation—frequently result in fragmented visual outcomes. It proposes artistic intervention as a mediating approach, conceptualizing co-creation as a collaborative process in which designers employ contemporary art methodologies to guide residents in the decoration of building facades, thereby integrating aesthetic enhancement with participatory empowerment. Drawing on three action research workshops, the study identifies collage as an effective medium, develops symbolic translations for practical design applications, and formulates tiered engagement principles (“design to/from residents” and “local art integration”) to enhance inclusivity and shared enjoyment.

The work advances co-creation as a tripartite model that unites residents, designers, and artists, bridging art, technology, and urban culture. It provides practitioners with a practical framework for community-driven renewal while contributing to the broader discourse on participatory design. This publication was supported by the Science and Technology Research Program of Chongqing Municipal Education Commission (Grant No. KJQN202201001) and the Doctoral Research Initiation Project of Sichuan Fine Arts Institute (Grant No. 22BSQD009). Ultimately, the research underscores the transformative potential of integrating artistic practice with grassroots collaboration to shape more equitable and culturally resonant urban environments.