They believe in the power of public spaces to transform unsafe and under-used areas into vibrant and prosperous communities. Their approach involves working closely with local residents to design and build Productive Public Spaces that integrate key amenities like community buildings, water and sanitation facilities, green infrastructure, and open spaces for recreation. They collaborate with residents to create sustainable and equitable plans that reflect their long-term visions for their communities.

They also assist in implementing programming that generates income, energizes culture, builds community capacity, and brings their Productive Public Spaces to life. They work with communities to conduct rigorous research projects and test innovative solutions to address inequity and risk. By filling gaps in knowledge, they enable informed decision-making by policy makers and residents.

They use their built work, community networks, and research to shape policy and practice in collaboration with residents, governments, agencies, and universities. They also invest in the next generation of community-engaged designers, planners, and policy makers through various educational initiatives