Community Architecture Approach in Cluster Housing Design; Assessing Methods of Participation in Contemporary Housing Design

Usage of community architecture approach or different meaningful participation methods in architecture has been always a critical discussion among architects. There are many positive and negative points of this approach in architectural design especially after the World War II. Practical experience shows that the usage of participatory methods in housing design (cluster housing) is suitable to reach an environment according to human needs to improve sense of community and it emphasis on behavioral patterns of users. Assessing practical methods of participation in architecture shows a trend to use participation in housing design after 1960 (esp. Team X group). In the twentieth century the use of participatory methods that created responsible environmental for users can be recognized in three eras: 1. After world war II until civil rights movements of 1960 that some primary practice of participation can be seen. 2. 1970-1985: with theoretical discussion approach of architects and usage of theory in practice by some architects. 3. After 1985: definition of architect, user, client and other stakeholders in participatory design process and emphasis on behavioral patterns of user. Participatory approach in architecture of cluster housing has some benefits: • Development of architectural programming with community • Consider to concept of community in design process • A pattern language system to communicate with users • Architect is a facilitator not a target • Enhancing sense of community in user and architect • New tools and techniques of participation • User in all of design process So, participatory design process in cluster housing can effect on sense of belongings of neighbors and enhance sense of community of inhabitants.