Innovator and activist motivates #BUCPUA students to cultivate spatial justice

On June 13, Kenneth Bailey, co-founder and principal sector strategy for the Design Studio for Social Intervention, visited Ayako Maruyama’s UA 580 course, The Boston Experience: The Role of Architecture in Creating a Sense of Place.  Bailey emphasized the merits of spatial justice upon the students, charging them to help reclaim everyone’s right to be, thrive, express, and connect.

“I really have a new perspective on how to look at physical characteristics and the use of space as it relates to social justice and equality.   Kenneth’s discussion added another school of thought. I think as a planner we need to consider the impact of the use of space.   Whose rights are being affected, and are there any injustices that may hinder other people’s rights?” questioned Vincent Lai (MET’18).

“As I travel through Boston, I think about the rights Kenneth talked about, and I look at how the use of space is being utilized. It’s definitely a lot to think about,” shared Lai.

Bailey has spent his career as an activist, consultant, and trainer, cultivating better community and organizational development in a variety of venues and municipalities.   He has campaigned for better tenants’ rights and decent housing with the St. Louis Housing Authority and also worked for COOL, a national campus-based student organization. In Boston, he has worked for the Ten Point Coalition, Interaction Institute for Social Change, and Third Sector New England, along with serving on the Board for Resource Generation.