In Community Design, Yamazaki Ryo defines design as ‘a tool for solving the challenges our society faces.’ A renowned Japanese community designer, Yamazaki is celebrated for empowering local residents to address their own regional issues. His work gained widespread attention in 2011 through NHK programs Passionate Continent and Close-Up Gendai and became a bestseller in Japan, surpassing ten editions in the same year.
Yamazaki’s approach stands out because it roots design in real-world problems, offering innovative solutions to pressing issues. His work involves exploring methods to connect people and places, listening to the stories of local residents, analyzing their needs, and integrating these insights into public projects. This empathetic and strategic process delivers thoughtful and impactful solutions that resonate deeply with communities. It’s no surprise that community design gained prominence in Japan following the fears of the ‘Disconnected Society’ in 2010.
This book experiments with new values for contemporary design and establishes critical discourse relevant to today’s needs. While design has historically contributed to social structures, examples of active, deeply engaged design like Yamazaki’s remain rare. In a capitalist system that often relegates design to mere industrial tools, Community Design stands out as a meaningful alternative. Yamazaki’s work demonstrates the tangible benefits of revitalizing local areas through community-driven solutions, presenting a compelling case for design’s role in society.
Community Design outlines over ten of Yamazaki’s projects, offering insights into his unique methodology. As community-building becomes a pressing issue in South Korea, this book provides a timely exploration of design’s potential for social engagement.
The challenges we face today cannot be solved alone. Yamazaki’s search for ways to connect people and communities stems from this understanding. Through the power of community, his work seeks pathways to overcome these challenges, crafting a vision for collaborative living and designing the unseen aspects of our shared lives.
