Abstract

Public spaces are major subsets of an anthropological settlement, which provide vistas for social interaction,
cultural transmission, and economic enterprise. In Nigeria’s rapid infrastructural development, the planning of public
spaces seems to overlook the various needs of the communities that will use such spaces. This study focuses on
communities’ involvement in the birthing of public spaces through participatory design in Nigeria. It focuses on how
these participatory processes can influence the urban landscape towards creating a more inclusive, culturally
sensitive, and ecologically sound human habitat. A mixed-methods research design deployed a combination of case
studies approach, surveys, closed-ended interview sessions and a participatory workshop at the Co-Designing Publics
International Symposium. The qualitative component provided in-depth insights into the experiences, perceptions and
cultural contexts of community engagement in public space design while the quantitative components offered
measurable data on the impact of community involvement on the functionality, accessibility and cultural relevance
of these spaces. Part of the findings identified the need for communities to play active roles in the design process of
public spaces as they will ensure that public spaces will better express local cultural identities, cater to users’ social
and economic needs, and advance a sense of ownership and responsibility among residents. The research identified
major hindrances to community involvement such as power differentials, lack of resources, and cultural heterogeneity,
which could hamper the prospects of a participatory design dispensation. Recommendations for improving
community participation in public space design in Nigeria identified strategies, such as capacity building, inclusive
decision-making, and the incorporation of culturally appropriate techniques. Through better participatory processes,
Nigerian cities can create urban environments that are not only utilitarian but project an expression of the rich,
interwoven cultural tapestry of its people.