Design Impact 2026: Places Left Behind

Selma, Alabama, is a city of movement, transformation, and progress. Known globally for its pivotal role in the fight for justice, equality, and democracy, Selma has long been a symbol of courage and resilience. The marches of 1965 left an indelible mark on the American Civil Rights movement. However, Selma’s residents are more than figures in a distant history—we are an active community with aspirations for a vibrant and inclusive future.

Now, Selma is poised to take its next step forward—preserving history while making new history. Downtown Selma will continue to respect its past while embracing growth and opportunity. This transformation will create spaces that are inclusive, dynamic, and rooted in the values of justice and strong community.

The intersection of urban planning and real estate development reveals a tension between the monetization of design and the importance of community and context. The mechanics of planning, designing, building and operating real estate, whether at the scale of a building or neighborhood, are often traditional and subject to the importance of profit. Inevitably, it is an institutional landscape dictated by capital and the time value of money. 

Stacey Pennington explores the case study of Makers Quarter, a neighborhood within the Upper East Village of Downtown San Diego, California, where she created an urban planning, engagement and activation strategy which tried to balance the ‘top-down’ nature of real estate with a ‘bottom-up’ model of urban planning and community engagement. 

The vision and value system, which started in 2011, is partially realized, posing many reflections and lessons learned. What was a void in the urban fabric, a network of many places and spaces left behind, became a dynamic and vibrant hub, testing ideas to inform the future. Stacey will explore the pros and cons and reflect on the most formidable challenges to an innovative, human-centered design approach.

The Indigenous Design Studio is a Canadian-based practice with studios in Toronto, Winnipeg, and Thunder Bay. The work centers around the concept of restoring Indigenous presence in the fabric of Canadian communities, addressing the question: how can the design professions of architecture, landscape, and planning make a meaningful contribution to Truth & Reconciliation?