Hou, J. (2020). Tactile urbanism: Co-creating city models with communities. Journal of Urban Design , 25(3), 301–318.
The motivation behind Modellverksted Skedsmo arose from a recurring frustration among both planners and residents. Traditional planning processes—relying on technical drawings, zoning maps, and formal public consultations—often left citizens feeling alienated. Many residents reported that they could not visualize how a proposed building would affect sunlight on their balcony, how a new bike path would connect to existing routes, or what “density” meant for their children’s play areas. Conversely, planners struggled to translate local knowledge into actionable design changes. modellverksted skedsmo
Author: [Institutional Affiliation] Course: BYP302 – Urban Planning and Civic Engagement Date: June 2026 Abstract This paper examines the establishment, methodology, and impact of Modellverksted Skedsmo (Skedsmo Model Workshop), a municipal initiative designed to bridge the gap between abstract planning documents and tangible community engagement. Through the use of physical 3D modeling, digital twin technology, and co-creative workshops, the model workshop redefined how citizens, students, and policymakers interact with urban development projects. Drawing on case studies from the transformation of Skedsmo sentrum, the Rælingsdalen green corridor, and school-based participatory budgeting, this paper argues that model workshops serve as critical infrastructural tools for democratic resilience. The findings suggest that tactile and visual modeling lowers barriers to participation, fosters intergenerational dialogue, and produces more robust planning outcomes. However, challenges related to resource intensity, representativeness, and digital exclusion persist. Hou, J