DownCity Design

DownCity Design helps people design solutions for their communities. We’re improving cities by inviting citizens to imagine and create better futures, using the tools of design thinking. We believe in the power of design to solve problems, and in the power of young people to change the world. Our youth programs and community design dialogues are making urban neighborhoods safer, healthier, and more liveable, while empowering residents to become agents of change. DownCity Design helps young people become engaged, innovative citizens by empowering them to design and build bold interventions that improve society. Our education programs give young people the chance to build Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) skills through hands-on design projects that have a tangible and lasting impact on their communities. Our students are trained to think like designers, and develop key habits of mind for success in school and beyond, including 21st century skills like creative problem solving, collaboration, and effective visual and verbal communication. We serve kids during the school day, as well as after school. All of our programs are carefully aligned to Common Core State Standards in Math, Social Studies, and English Language Arts, as well as Next Generation Science standards.