An Innovative Approach to Community Engagement

Recognizing a need for broader community engagement on public projects, an innovative approach has been created in Rochester, Minnesota. It's called Community Co-Design -- a process that encourages, compensates and prioritizes the inclusion of diverse populations throughout the design and development process. Chao Mwatela, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director for the City of Rochester, and Kevin Bright, Director of Housing and Sustainability for the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency and City of Rochester, were both involved in the formation of Community Co-Design. In the past two years, 10 local community co-design pilots have been completed. The success of Community Co-Design has caught the eye of Bloomberg Philanthropies, which awarded the City of Rochester a million-dollar grant in the Global Mayor's Challenge for its work in Community Co-Design. More information on Community Co-Design in Rochester, MinnesotaDestination Medical CenterCity of Rochester, MNExperience Rochester, MN