Against Spectator Renovation: A Democratic Playbook for Participatory Renewal

Gamified Cohousing team meeting 2025

Renovation is having its moment, but much of what is called “participation” today is merely a spectacle: decisions made elsewhere, with citizens invited to clap. This is spectator renovation—efficient on paper, brittle in practice. True participatory renovation goes beyond questionnaires and ribbon-cuttings; it impacts rights, budgets, and beneficiaries. Learn how we can make renovation a democratic process that empowers communities, fosters transparency, and gives those affected a voice in shaping their environments.