PUBLICATIONS

By Wendy Sarkissian, Andrea Cook and Kelvin Walsh

A Practical Guide (1997) gives specific guidance on how to design and implement a wide range of innovative participatory processes. It contains detailed descriptions of processes pioneered in Australia, as well as leading-edge approaches from overseas. Techniques used in the design of the case studies described in the Casebook and illustrated by the Video are explained. Contents of the Guide include: meetings and workshops, search conferences, accountability groups, exhibitions, displays, open houses and SpeakOuts, public information, advertising and letterboxing, specific techniques within meetings and techniques for working with children.

By Wendy Sarkissian, Andrea Cook and Kelvin Walsh

The Workshop Checklist (Second Edition, 2000) is a systematic ‘how-to-do-it’ tool for the organisers of a community participation process or project. It  is an updated second edition of the highly successful 1994 publication. It has been completely re-designed, with an easy-to-use format, new illustrations, updated bibliography and an Introduction by Wendy Sarkissian. This ‘hands-on’ manual was developed to assist in the design and facilitation of community participation processes, particularly public meetings, forums and workshops.

The Casebook (1994) provides vivid illustrations and analysis of cases of original, community participation projects undertaken in Australia. It is a collection of case studies of award-winning Australian participation projects undertaken in Adelaide, Melbourne and the Northern Territory. In particular, the book examines participatory processes in existing residential neighbourhoods, community development and participation in urban, rural and remote locations, redevelopment in existing town centres and role plays in search conferences.

The Community Participation Handbook: Resources       for Public Involvement in the Planning Process
(2nd Edition, 1994)

Edited by Wendy Sarkissian and Donald Perlgut with Elaine Ballard and Kelvin Walsh

The Handbook (Second Edition, 1994) presents the theory of participatory processes and an analysis of suitable methods and techniques for different situations. It is a revised and updated edition of a collection, originally published in 1986. Authors of the articles include Professor Leonie Sandercock, Dr Tony Gibson (United Kingdom participatory design specialist), Dr Wendy Sarkissian, Don Perlgut, the Centre for Conflict Resolution and the Australian of Bureau of Transport Economics. The Handbook contains material by many practitioners in Australia and overseas, as well as theoretical background to participation.

Details techniques and methods that may be used when gathering information in planning. The differences and usefulness of these approaches are discussed. They provide the planner with some insight as to the kind of information that may be gained from their use. Case studies are provided to flesh out the techniques discussed....

Australian Institute of Urban Studies (WA), 1996.

A great deal of helpful and practical information.
Local Government Bulletin, 1988.

By Wendy Sarkissian, Angela Hirst and Beauford Stenberg with Steph Walton

New Directions (2002) outlines a variety of emerging participatory techniques and approaches. It builds on previous publications and seeks to include perspectives of other theorists and practitioners, notably Dr Lyn Carson. It is designed to expand on our direct experience, approaches we have tried, as well as a review of participatory practice in Australia and overseas. It received the 2002 Brannock Award for Excellence in Planning Scholarship from the Planning Institute of Australia, Queensland Division. The current book particularly builds on A Practical Guide (1997), which focused on cutting-edge approaches to participatory planning current at the time of writing 

Clare Cooper Marcus and Wendy Sarkissian (1986). Housing as if People Mattered: Illustrated Site Planning Guidelines for Medium-Density Family Housing. Berkeley: University of California Press.

Recipient of the Progressive Architecture Citation for Architectural Research.

This book is a collection of guidelines for the site design of low-rise, high-density family housing. It is intended as a reference tool, primarily for housing designers and planners, but also for developers, housing authorities, citizens' groups, and tenants’ organizations-anyone involved in planning or rehabilitating housing.

It provides guidelines for the layout of buildings, open spaces, community facilities, play areas, walk ways, and the myriad components that make up a housing site. We developed this book with the view that life is better in environments that are appropriate to people’s needs and congruent with their values. The book remains a valued tool for housing design practitioners to this day.

This book was co-authored with Clare Cooper Marcus, Professor Emerita at the University of California, Berkeley, where she has taught courses on social and psychological factors in the design of housing and public open space.