In order to avoid participation in architecture and urban design becoming merely a politically required token of democratic involvement, architects, planners, and designers need to commit themselves and relinquish control, claims Jeremy Till in this issue’s opening interview. With this theme, the goal is to uncover and reassess to what extent individual citizens actually can and should become proactive in the shaping and development of cities and neighbourhoods. With contributions from Damon Rich, Serafina Amoroso, Marina Abramović, Cathy Smith, Stefan Gruber, and more, it touches upon everything from DIY urbanism to consumerism and micro-strategies.

In order to avoid participation in architecture and urban design becoming merely a politically required token of democratic involvement, architects, planners, and designers need to commit themselves and relinquish control, claims Jeremy Till in this issue’s opening interview. With this theme, the goal is to uncover and reassess to what extent individual citizens actually can and should become proactive in the shaping and development of cities and neighbourhoods. With contributions from Damon Rich, Serafina Amoroso, Marina Abramović, Cathy Smith, Stefan Gruber, and more, it touches upon everything from DIY urbanism to consumerism and micro-strategies.