Tomotto Describes a thesis project that examines the role of design in addressing gardening challenges in urban spaces and communities. This book serves as documentation of a two year process of building and developing a thesis: the rationale for investigation, research and analysis, resulting design solutions, and a proposal for a business model. Here you will find an overview of the project background, intentions, methods, and solutions.

This book is inherently a narrative. It is a story about how ethnographic research can lead to close community involvement and how the relationships formed can influence and drive meaningful design. It also shows how challenges experienced, observed, and shared can lead to innovative solutions and new approaches to design.

This story is not a linear one. It is dynamic and multi-directional and explores a single topic viewed from many angles. However, this story ultimately presents the conclusion that urban gardening, when made better through design, improves our wellbeing, our sense of place, and helps us stay connected to each other and to our environment.

AD 521 - Adv Industrial Design, Prof. Peter Pfanner