Designing Cities with People, Not Just for Them

The Power of Collaborative Urban Futures

Archangelo D. Alegado|Rec E. Eguia|Alan B. Alejandrino
Emerald
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Paperback / softback
9781837423699
09 September 2026
$43.00
Available to order on 10 August 2026
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9781837423668
19 August 2026
$43.00
Available to order on 20 July 2026
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9781837423682
19 August 2026
$43.00
Available to order on 20 July 2026

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  • Description
  • Contents
  • About

Cities are not just collections of roads, buildings and policies. They are living communities shaped by the aspirations, fears and decisions of their people. Yet too often, development happens to citizens instead of with them.

Designing Cities with People, Not Just for Them: The Power of Collaborative Urban Futures invites planners, engineers, policymakers and everyday citizens to reimagine how we build and transform our cities - together.

Drawing on original research - including participatory workshops, global case studies, and rigorous analysis - this book uncovers what truly makes cities inclusive, resilient and future-ready. Based on in-depth research from Digos City, Philippines, and enriched by comparative case studies, it offers a practical framework and cost-effective tools that any community can adapt. Powerful stories of co-creation from around the world illustrate key lessons applicable across diverse contexts.

For leaders who want to facilitate change rather than dictate it, and for citizens who want to reclaim their right to shape their own urban future, this book is both a guide and a call to action.

Preface

  • Acknowledgments
  • Introduction
  • Part I: Understanding the Landscape
  • Chapter 1: Why Cities Matter — And Why They Struggle
  • Chapter 2: The State of Digos City
  • Part II: The Futures We Want
  • Chapter 3: Looking Ahead — Scenarios for Digos in 2040
  • Chapter 4: What the Community Envisions
  • Part III: Why Participation Matters
  • Chapter 5: Beyond Tokenism — Meaningful Engagement
  • Chapter 6: Who Holds the Power?
  • Part IV: Keys to Transformation
  • Chapter 7: The Critical Success Factors
  • Chapter 8: Lessons from Around the World
  • Part V: A Framework for Action
  • Chapter 9: Building the Strategic Framework
  • Chapter 10: Tools for Planners and Practitioners Toolkit for Collaborative Urban Futures — At a Glance
  • Conclusion: Choosing Our City’s Future References

Archangelo D. Alegado, PhD, MPSA, MTSS, MEP, is an urban development practitioner, educator, and researcher dedicated to shaping cities that are inclusive, resilient, and designed with people—not just for them. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Urban and Regional Development Administration, a culmination of years of research on collaborative foresight and participatory governance in cities, which forms the foundation of this book.

Rec E. Eguia, PhD, MPSA, MM, is a distinguished academic leader, researcher, and practitioner in development management and public administration. He is a Professor VI at the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP), where he has also served as Dean of the College of Development Management and Dean of Advanced Studies. Currently, he is the President of the USeP Faculty Federation and sits as a member of the Board of Regents.

Alan B. Alejandrino, PhD, MPSA, MATM, is a licensed Civil Engineer specialising in Construction Engineering and Management, with a strong focus on sustainable and resilient infrastructure systems. He is an Associate Professor I at the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP), where he teaches across both undergraduate and graduate programs and integrates engineering expertise with development management perspectives.

His research spans public safety and security, rural and urban development, and water management systems, addressing pressing issues of sustainable water resource use, flood risk mitigation, and climate-resilient infrastructure planning.