Building Together

Roger Katan is a French American architect, artist, and educator known as a proponent of the community-based design practices of participatory architecture and advocacy planning. He has been a university instructor, international consultant, lecturer, activist, and author on the subject. Ronald Shiffman, FAICP, is the former director of the Pratt Center for Community Development, which he cofounded in 1964. He was awarded the 2012 Jane Jacobs Medal for Lifetime Leadership for his work to promote community-based activism over the last fifty years.

As strong proponents of this participatory approach to planning, Roger Katan's and Ronald Shiffman's book Building Together explores the contexts and levels of problem solving and decision making it has lent itself to over the last four decades. The book is organized as a collection of case studies and makes an enriching read for today's practitioners of advocacy planning. --Smitha Gopalakrishnan "The Cyber Hood " -It is rare that a book about democratic design, planning, and community development considers the pragmatics of its practice through in-depth case studies. There is so much to learn from pioneers and current exemplary practitioners . . . Building Together is on my must-read list for those of us engaged and others seeking to join us in meaningful and effective grassroots participation.- -- Roberta Feldman, Professor Emerita, School of Architecture, and Director Emerita, City Design Center, University of Illinois at Chicago -My background is ten brothers and sisters in a three-bedroom apartment and a high school education . . . I led an advocacy team composed of Pratt and City College graduate architectural and planning students when Roger was director . . . I can say that without Roger's assistance, we would never have had the hope of changing the mindset of 'Downtown, ' which always seemed to put us off.- -- Roberto Anazagasti, President, Nuevo El Barrio para la Rehabilitacion de Vivienda y Economia -Building Together is a direct response to an international movement aimed at giving people a voice in shaping their future environment . . . [These] first-hand experiences outline a methodology of participatory practices providing the groundwork for future community activists. This is a practical, must-have collection of informative case studies that integrate action and place.- -- Henry Sanoff, Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Architecture, North Carolina State University -This rich picture of the debates over design, community development, and urban planning, brings a practitioner's eye to the real issues on the ground. An invaluable historical resource!- -- Michael Cohen, Professor, Milano School of International Affairs, Management, and Urban Policy -Roger Katan experienced directly the full spectrum of the world of modern architecture, in all its social ramifications, from the arrogance of celebrity architects with huge egos, to the building of the most basic shelter for the poorest of the poor in places like Africa and Latin America. He has seen up close the face of bureaucratic corruption, official venality, and what can happen to funds allocated with good intentions to help poor people. People need to hear Roger's story. It is still entirely relevant. All the problems that Roger struggled with are still there.- --Robert Crumb, cartoonist, author, musician -Entering the fray is a providential new and needed book, titled Building Together, by Roger Katan with Ronald Shiffman, two prominent community planners, illustrating how cities should and could evolve to be more democratic and livable.- --Sam Hall Kaplan -Planetizen - -This book helps to demystify the process and methodological approach to community planning. It speaks clearly about power struggles, limiting regulations and norms, but also about the innovations, visions and opportunities that come from genuinely participatory planning efforts.- --Julia Wesely -Environment & Urbanization - -To transform their good intentions into tangible results in neighborhoods jittery over gentrification, the mayor and his planners should read Building Together: Case Studies in Participatory Planning and Community Building.- --Sam Roberts -The New York Times - "It is rare that a book about democratic design, planning, and community development considers the pragmatics of its practice through in-depth case studies. There is so much to learn from pioneers and current exemplary practitioners . . . Building Together is on my must-read list for those of us engaged and others seeking to join us in meaningful and effective grassroots participation." -- Roberta Feldman, Professor Emerita, School of Architecture, and Director Emerita, City Design Center, University of Illinois at Chicago "My background is ten brothers and sisters in a three-bedroom apartment and a high school education . . . I led an advocacy team composed of Pratt and City College graduate architectural and planning students when Roger was director . . . I can say that without Roger's assistance, we would never have had the hope of changing the mindset of 'Downtown, ' which always seemed to put us off." -- Roberto Anazagasti, President, Nuevo El Barrio para la Rehabilitacion de Vivienda y Economia "Building Together is a direct response to an international movement aimed at giving people a voice in shaping their future environment . . . [These] first-hand experiences outline a methodology of participatory practices providing the groundwork for future community activists. This is a practical, must-have collection of informative case studies that integrate action and place." -- Henry Sanoff, Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Architecture, North Carolina State University "This rich picture of the debates over design, community development, and urban planning, brings a practitioner's eye to the real issues on the ground. An invaluable historical resource!" -- Michael Cohen, Professor, Milano School of International Affairs, Management, and Urban Policy "Roger Katan experienced directly the full spectrum of the world of modern architecture, in all its social ramifications, from the arrogance of celebrity architects with huge egos, to the building of the most basic shelter for the poorest of the poor in places like Africa and Latin America. He has seen up close the face of bureaucratic corruption, official venality, and what can happen to funds allocated with good intentions to help poor people. People need to hear Roger's story. It is still entirely relevant. All the problems that Roger struggled with are still there." --Robert Crumb, cartoonist, author, musician "Entering the fray is a providential new and needed book, titled Building Together, by Roger Katan with Ronald Shiffman, two prominent community planners, illustrating how cities should and could evolve to be more democratic and livable." --Sam Hall Kaplan "Planetizen " "It is rare that a book about democratic design, planning, and community development considers the pragmatics of its practice through in-depth case studies. There is so much to learn from pioneers and current exemplary practitioners . . . Building Together is on my must-read list for those of us engaged and others seeking to join us in meaningful and effective grassroots participation." Roberta Feldman, Professor Emerita, School of Architecture, and Director Emerita, City Design Center, University of Illinois at Chicago "My background is ten brothers and sisters in a three-bedroom apartment and a high school education . . . I led an advocacy team composed of Pratt and City College graduate architectural and planning students when Roger was director . . . I can say that without Roger's assistance, we would never have had the hope of changing the mindset of 'Downtown, ' which always seemed to put us off." Roberto Anazagasti, President, Nuevo El Barrio para la Rehabilitacion de Vivienda y Economia Building Together is a direct response to an international movement aimed at giving people a voice in shaping their future environment . . . [These] first-hand experiences outline a methodology of participatory practices providing the groundwork for future community activists. This is a practical, must-have collection of informative case studies that integrate action and place. Henry Sanoff, Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Architecture, North Carolina State University This rich picture of the debates over design, community development, and urban planning, brings a practitioner's eye to the real issues on the ground. An invaluable historical resource! Michael Cohen, Professor, Milano School of International Affairs, Management, and Urban Policy Roger Katan experienced directly the full spectrum of the world of modern architecture, in all its social ramifications, from the arrogance of celebrity architects with huge egos, to the building of the most basic shelter for the poorest of the poor in places like Africa and Latin America. He has seen up close the face of bureaucratic corruption, official venality, and what can happen to funds allocated with good intentions to help poor people. People need to hear Roger s story. It is still entirely relevant. All the problems that Roger struggled with are still there. Robert Crumb, cartoonist, author, musician " "This book helps to demystify the process and methodological approach to community planning. It speaks clearly about power struggles, limiting regulations and norms, but also about the innovations, visions and opportunities that come from genuinely participatory planning efforts." --Julia Wesely "Environment & Urbanization " "To transform their good intentions into tangible results in neighborhoods jittery over gentrification, the mayor and his planners should read Building Together: Case Studies in Participatory Planning and Community Building." --Sam Roberts "The New York Times " "Entering the fray is a providential new and needed book, titled Building Together, by Roger Katan with Ronald Shiffman, two prominent community planners, illustrating how cities should and could evolve to be more democratic and livable."--Sam Hall Kaplan "Planetizen " "This book helps to demystify the process and methodological approach to community planning. It speaks clearly about power struggles, limiting regulations and norms, but also about the innovations, visions and opportunities that come from genuinely participatory planning efforts."--Julia Wesely "Environment & Urbanization " "To transform their good intentions into tangible results in neighborhoods jittery over gentrification, the mayor and his planners should read Building Together: Case Studies in Participatory Planning and Community Building."--Sam Roberts "The New York Times " As strong proponents of this participatory approach to planning, Roger Katan's and Ronald Shiffman's book Building Together explores the contexts and levels of problem solving and decision making it has lent itself to over the last four decades. The book is organized as a collection of case studies and makes an enriching read for today s practitioners of advocacy planning.--Smitha Gopalakrishnan "The Cyber Hood "" "It is rare that a book about democratic design, planning, and community development considersthe pragmatics of its practice through in-depth case studies. There is so much to learn from pioneersand current exemplary practitioners . . . Building Together is on my must-read list for those of usengaged and others seeking to join us in meaningful and effective grassroots participation." Roberta Feldman, Professor Emerita, School of Architecture, and Director Emerita, City DesignCenter, University of Illinois at Chicago"My background is ten brothers and sisters in a three-bedroom apartment and a high school education. . . I led an advocacy team composed of Pratt and City College graduate architectural and planningstudents when Roger was director . . . I can say that without Roger's assistance, we would neverhave had the hope of changing the mindset of 'Downtown, ' which always seemed to put us off." Roberto Anazagasti, President, Nuevo El Barrio para la Rehabilitacion de Vivienda y Economia Building Together is a direct response to an international movement aimed at giving people avoice in shaping their future environment . . . [These] first-hand experiences outline a methodologyof participatory practices providing the groundwork for future community activists. This is a practical, must-have collection of informative case studies that integrate action and place. Henry Sanoff, Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Architecture, North Carolina State University This rich picture of the debates over design, community development, and urban planning, bringsa practitioner's eye to the real issues on the ground. An invaluable historical resource! Michael Cohen, Professor, Milano School of International Affairs, Management, and Urban Policy Roger Katan experienced directly the full spectrum of the world of modern architecture, in all itssocial ramifications, from the arrogance of celebrity architects with huge egos, to the building of themost basic shelter for the poorest of the poor in places like Africa and Latin America. He has seen upclose the face of bureaucratic corruption, official venality, and what can happen to funds allocatedwith good intentions to help poor people. People need to hear Roger s story. It is still entirely relevant.All the problems that Roger struggled with are still there. Robert Crumb, cartoonist, author, musician"