ACHR, the Bartlett Development Planning Unit (UCL, UK) and Community Architects Network will be launching Phase II of the Junior Professional Internship Programme in the Philippines this month. Born out of a long-standing partnership between the three institutions, the programme will see DPU alumni Laura Hirst, Jessica Mamo and Mariangela Veronesi participate in a six month internship in three different locations in order to support and learn from community-driven processes across the country. Laura, Jessica and Mariangela have different academic and professional backgrounds that include architecture, participatory design, environmental and social planning. They will be involved in the development of methodologies and tools for community-driven processes, while taking part in a mutual learning experience, which aims to enhance collective know-how and achieve sustainable and feasible solutions to local issues. The work will concentrate in Metro Manila, Davao and Mandaue and will involve different aspects such as mapping, developing plans and sustainability strategies, assessing feasibility, developing design options, etc. This programme will draw from the learning of interns from the first phase of the programme in 2013, and will aim to increase the overall body of knowledge and shared experience of community-driven planning and upgrading.

To learn more about the programme you can download Grounding Knowledge: reflections on community-driven development in South-East Asia, the booklet documenting the learning of the first phase.