Spaces of Collaboration: How Civic Design Builds Trust and Transforms Communities
Exploring how civic design fosters trust, empowers communities, and transforms urban life through shared spaces and collaborative practices.
In 2014, a single tweet transformed the way I viewed my work—and indeed, the way I saw the potential of design itself. At that moment, I discovered the term “Civic Designer,” and with it, a spark was lit that has since fueled a journey spanning two decades. I am Domenico Di Siena, a civic designer, architect, urbanist, researcher, entrepreneur, and activist—a mosaic of identities that defies any single definition. My early professional experiences taught me that neither a degree nor a title could capture the breadth of one’s ambition. Instead, I sought to harness design as a vehicle for collective intelligence, to empower citizens and reimagine our urban spaces from the ground up.
The Birth of a New Discipline
Fresh out of my Architecture and Urbanism studies, I began questioning conventional design practices. I soon realized that traditional design, while powerful, often operated in isolation—detached from the very communities it aimed to serve. The term “Civic Designer” resonated deeply with me. It signified a call to merge creativity with collaboration, to infuse design with an ethical and political dimension. This insight was the catalyst for my first foray into online education: in 2015, I launched a course dedicated solely to Civic Design. That course not only introduced a new way of thinking about design but also laid the foundation for a broader movement.
Founding CivicWise and the Civic Innovation School
In the same pivotal year, I joined forces with other visionaries to create CivicWise—a network devoted to the promotion of civic innovation. CivicWise became a space for educators, activists, and urbanists to share ideas and collaborate on projects aimed at transforming public spaces into inclusive, sustainable environments. Alongside this, the Civic Innovation School was established as a hub where theoretical insights met practical application, empowering communities to reimagine governance and urban life.
My work has always been driven by the desire to generate a positive impact on our territories. Over the years, I have helped professionals, public institutions, organizations, and universities develop processes of collective intelligence, ensuring that every project resonates with the community’s needs. This holistic approach led me to develop the Civic Design Method—a framework that distills recurring patterns from a multitude of projects, from municipal collaborations in Madrid to academic partnerships in London, and more recently, experiments in Valencia.
Evolving Through the Years: Learning Across Borders
My journey has taken me across numerous cities throughout Latin America and Europe, from Madrid and Valencia to Buenos Aires, Paris, London, and many more. Living and working in these diverse urban landscapes has provided me with invaluable insights into how design, culture, and civic engagement intersect across different contexts. I've had the privilege of collaborating with international organizations such as the United Nations and the Inter-American Development Bank, as well as prestigious universities like the University of Buenos Aires, École des Ponts et Chaussées in Paris, and University College London, alongside numerous private institutions where I’ve taught and shared my vision.
Working across these contexts, I have witnessed how participation and community-driven design can profoundly reshape urban spaces. From the grassroots projects of Medellín, where citizens reclaimed public spaces, to the dynamic cultural labs of Madrid, where neighbors co-created local solutions, I've seen the transformative power of collaboration. It reminds me of the spirit captured in The Wire, where communities navigate challenges by leaning on shared knowledge and solidarity. Civic design, much like these stories, thrives when trust is built from the ground up.
The Cultural Influence: Learning from Global Narratives
Just as Christopher Nolan's Inception explored the idea of planting ideas within layers of shared consciousness, Civic Design seeks to root change within collective imagination. In Buenos Aires, I saw how urban gardens became more than green spaces—they evolved into hubs of social learning. In Paris, conversations about commons revealed how traditional city management can be reimagined through participatory governance. Across Europe and Latin America, the constant has always been the power of community narratives to foster trust and action.
The New Chapter: Launching Civic Design Media
For nearly two years, this project has been quietly evolving online, shifting formats and refining its purpose without fanfare. Today, in 2025, the time has come to unveil Civic Design Media—a dynamic, open platform that embodies the spirit of civic innovation. This magazine is more than a collection of articles; it is a living archive of ideas, a testament to a journey marked by continuous evolution.
Our inaugural publications will revive earlier articles from the project’s formative years. These pieces, now enhanced and updated with the aid of artificial intelligence, reflect a synthesis of past wisdom and future potential. They are a window into the evolution of civic design—a discipline that, while rooted in decades of experience, is constantly adapting to new challenges and opportunities.
A Vision for the Future
Civic Design Media is born out of a profound belief: that design, when interwoven with civic engagement, has the power to reshape our urban landscapes and foster communities where everyone has a voice. It is a platform designed to spark dialogue, challenge conventional wisdom, and inspire innovative solutions for a more inclusive, sustainable future.
Our mission is to create a space where in-depth analysis, personal reflections, and case studies converge—where the collective intelligence of a global network is harnessed to reimagine public spaces and empower citizens. This project will evolve openly and transparently, inviting continuous feedback and collaboration from all those who share our passion for civic innovation.
Democratic Society: A New Collaborative Horizon
More recently, my collaboration with the team at Democratic Society has opened a new chapter in this journey. For the first time, I have the opportunity to work consistently with a team of exceptionally talented professionals on projects with international reach. It feels like finding a creative home after years of exploration—a space where collaboration is not just a buzzword, but a shared practice that challenges us to think bigger, act collectively, and deliver meaningful impact. Democratic Society is more than a workplace; it is a global learning lab, and I am proud to be part of a team that dares to innovate, question, and build together.
Join the Conversation
Civic Design Media is not a static project; it is a dynamic, ever-changing conversation about how we can design a future that truly connects us all. Here, we don't just report on trends—we aim to spark dialogues that resonate with those who believe cities can become more inclusive, participatory, and human-centered.
Welcome to Civic Design Media—a platform forged from 20 years of passion, experience, and the relentless pursuit of a better urban future. Let’s build trust and transform communities together.