To meet the multiple challenges and objectives, the studio engaged in the following modes of learning and production:

Cross-cultural – The studio brings together students and activists from different ‘cultural’ backgrounds – North-South, East-West, urban-rural, inside and outside. It engaged in critical comparison of different cultural perspectives and values in local planning and design.

Interdisciplinary – The studio involves participants from different disciplinary backgrounds, including architecture, landscape architecture, recreation, and urban design and planning. The projects addressing complex social, spatial and economic issues require knowledge and sensibilities across disciplinary boundaries.

Collaborative –In a community design process, few people have complete knowledge of the issues and solution. The studio projects require working in collaborative teams and as dialogic partners with community members.

Multiscalar – Rather than addressing design projects as isolated interventions, we worked in multiple scales simultaneously to explore the linkages between site-specific interventions and broader needs and implications in the community. We also explored combinations of solutions and/or strategies across spatial and temporal scales.

Field practice – The studio explored the nuances and issues of working in the field and a dynamic social and political process. The studio process was informed by spontaneous discovery and adaptations.

Catalytic agency – Given the time and other constraints of the studio, the goal was not to develop comprehensive solutions and detailed work plans. Rather, we have explored studio products and processes that would be most effective in producing desired social, political and spatial consequences.

Culturally-based place making -- We considered the outcomes and process of our projects in the context of dynamic local culture. We considered planning and design as a ‘cultural process’ rather than a technical exercise.

Design activism – With the above considerations, the studio explored a model of proactive design practice that involves critical collaboration between universities, communities, and activists.