Understanding the environmental conditions that shape the physical
support for developing social sustainability requires analysing the symbiotic
relationship of people and place. Place is considered an essential aspect in shaping
social identity, identification and cohesion. Thus, this paper explores the role of the
physical realm in enabling co-design practices within community initiatives. It
outlines two PhD research projects focused on strengthening community
engagement using co-design approaches. It evidences its findings analysing two
different settings. Firstly, a PhD research project exploring the mutual influences
between spatial and service design also through the investigation of public spaces
as platforms for strategic interventions with experimentations in the urban fabric of
Milan (Italy). Secondly, a doctoral research exploring the value of community codesign
on rural areas in the Highlands and Islands (Scotland) associated with
Leapfrog, a three-year-funded project by the Arts and Humanities Research Council
(AHRC). Conducted by two different research teams, we analyse to what extent
participatory processes can strengthen communities and their identities, as well as
reflecting on place-based approaches for design strategies of territories.