| Summary: | Cities are highly unequal systems and rapid, top-down development is increasingly causing segregation between people of different socio-economic statuses through gentrification. In response, a bottom-up, more community centred approach is often proposed, yet this method also not without significant issues. In this thesis I investigate the role of the designer as a mediator, facilitator and translator between the top-down and bottom-up approaches to urban development. Using Grønland, Oslo as a case study, I start by gathering high-level research in order to understand the large-scale strategies that the municipality and private developers have for the area. In the second section, I undertake on-the-ground research in order to understand the everyday issues that people who live in, or use, the area face. In the final section I propose a research laboratory and makerspace that can activate the local community, providing the resources in order for everyday people to be able to have a positive impact on their city, in addition to gathering long-term, in-depth research on the area in order to influence the future of Grønland. This thesis is written as a working document that can, and should, be used by a wide range of people, from the municipality to local residents, and is designed to be added to as the project develops.
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