Since the 1970s participation has been part of urban and architectural discourse in various ways and varying emphasis. Building on this history the book Participation for Real questions the practices of participatory design today and the roles architects and planners play while facing certain challenges.
The book Participation for Real outlines the challenges and joys of participatory processes in architecture and urbanism in the 2020s in Brussels and Flanders. It is a collective diary, composed of confessions from the field.
Built upon a series of workshops organised by Timelab and the Flanders Architecture Institute, the book explores many facets of participatory practice.
The authors reflect on the constraints of budgeting and timing, the effects of individualism in society at large, the position of architects and designers, and novel approaches to inclusion and diversity, among others.
Available as of 31.03.2026
On 31 March 2026 Flanders Architecture Institute (VAi) and Timelab organise the book launch of Participation for Real, focusing on the day to day reality of participatory processes in Flanders and Brussels today. During the event the book’s editor Hülya Ertas explains the framework of the content, and professor Elke Krasny (Academy of Fine Arts Vienna) reflects on participation in relation to care and hospitality.
31.03.2026
Timelab, Ghent
Book your ticket(s)
€19,90
Flanders Architecture Institute
Hülya Ertas
Merel De Coorde, Cato De Smedt, Hülya Ertas, Liesbeth Huybrechts, Nik Naudts, Evi Swinnen, Peter Vanden Abeele, Florian Van De Voorde, Karen Vannieuwenhuyze, Heleen Verheyden
Sofie De Cleene
Barbara De Coninck
Patrick Lennon
Leroy Bonneure
Albe De Coker
English
84 pages
Softcover
130x200 mm closed (portrait)
