Iran University of Art Journal of Architecture and Urban Planning 2717-1299 17 46 2025 03 21 Cognitive skills of architects in crafting participatory narratives Cognitive skills of architects in crafting participatory narratives 72 96 1392 10.30480/aup.2025.5290.2139 FA Ahmad Mortazavi PhD Candidate, School of Architecture, College of Fine Arts, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Hamid Reza Ansari Assistant Professor, School of Architecture, College of Fine Arts, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Leila Alipour Assistant Professor, School of Architecture, College of Fine Arts, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2024 04 29 The complexities inherent in the participatory design process necessitate that designers acquire a diverse range of specialized skills to engage effectively and meaningfully with their peers. These essential skills encompass not only visionary capabilities that enable designers to conceptualize innovative solutions but also a nuanced and comprehensive understanding of various architectural issues and challenges that may arise during collaboration. To gain deeper insights into these vital skills, it is imperative to explore and critically analyze existing research on participatory architecture. This exploration will involve synthesizing the main concepts, theories, and findings presented in the literature, thereby providing a clearer understanding of the competencies required for successful collaboration in architectural design. By delving into these scholarly works, designers can better equip themselves with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of participatory environments, ultimately enhancing their effectiveness and contributions to collective projects. This study aims to identify and categorize existing research focused on the cognitive skills required by architects in participatory contexts, define participatory architecture as it pertains to these cognitive skills, and outline the specific cognitive skills necessary for architects involved in participatory processes. Employing a qualitative review methodology, relevant studies were collected and categorized, followed by thematic analysis and coding. A keyword network was generated using VOS VIEWER software to illustrate the connections among various concepts, leading to the articulation of the cognitive requirements for architects in participatory settings. The findings reveal two primary categories of participation: engagement with fellow architects and interaction with the community, comprising six subgroups. Participatory architecture is defined as a narrative-driven dialogue among citizens aimed at generating new stories. Conceptual network analysis indicates that architects must possess a diverse array of cognitive characteristics to engage effectively in participatory processes. These characteristics include the ability to discover, interpret, and apply narrative and emotional dimensions related to key concepts such as the city, home, democracy, perception, and poverty. Architects should view the city as a complex web of cultural narratives and utilize the concept of "land" to connect with the historical and cultural roots of its inhabitants. Regarding the notion of home, architects must be sensitive to gender issues and the meanings of residential spaces while interpreting the physical impacts of residents and understanding the significance of place in informal settlements. In terms of democracy and rights, participatory architects should maintain a strong commitment to citizenship rights and equality, enabling them to resolve intergenerational conflicts and adapt to changing conditions. They must also facilitate dialogues that may be culturally or socially conflicting and decentralize established concepts. In the realm of perception, architects should grasp narratives and intertextual concepts within social contexts, connecting with the hidden layers of the social psyche while appreciating the importance of open structures and the notion of incompleteness in social arts. Finally, concerning poverty and deprivation, architects should engage in dialogues with marginalized communities and connect with narratives related to disability and the emotional needs of neglected users. The complexities inherent in the participatory design process necessitate that designers acquire a diverse range of specialized skills to engage effectively and meaningfully with their peers. These essential skills encompass not only visionary capabilities that enable designers to conceptualize innovative solutions but also a nuanced and comprehensive understanding of various architectural issues and challenges that may arise during collaboration. To gain deeper insights into these vital skills, it is imperative to explore and critically analyze existing research on participatory architecture. This exploration will involve synthesizing the main concepts, theories, and findings presented in the literature, thereby providing a clearer understanding of the competencies required for successful collaboration in architectural design. By delving into these scholarly works, designers can better equip themselves with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of participatory environments, ultimately enhancing their effectiveness and contributions to collective projects. This study aims to identify and categorize existing research focused on the cognitive skills required by architects in participatory contexts, define participatory architecture as it pertains to these cognitive skills, and outline the specific cognitive skills necessary for architects involved in participatory processes. Employing a qualitative review methodology, relevant studies were collected and categorized, followed by thematic analysis and coding. A keyword network was generated using VOS VIEWER software to illustrate the connections among various concepts, leading to the articulation of the cognitive requirements for architects in participatory settings. The findings reveal two primary categories of participation: engagement with fellow architects and interaction with the community, comprising six subgroups. Participatory architecture is defined as a narrative-driven dialogue among citizens aimed at generating new stories. Conceptual network analysis indicates that architects must possess a diverse array of cognitive characteristics to engage effectively in participatory processes. These characteristics include the ability to discover, interpret, and apply narrative and emotional dimensions related to key concepts such as the city, home, democracy, perception, and poverty. Architects should view the city as a complex web of cultural narratives and utilize the concept of "land" to connect with the historical and cultural roots of its inhabitants. Regarding the notion of home, architects must be sensitive to gender issues and the meanings of residential spaces while interpreting the physical impacts of residents and understanding the significance of place in informal settlements. In terms of democracy and rights, participatory architects should maintain a strong commitment to citizenship rights and equality, enabling them to resolve intergenerational conflicts and adapt to changing conditions. They must also facilitate dialogues that may be culturally or socially conflicting and decentralize established concepts. In the realm of perception, architects should grasp narratives and intertextual concepts within social contexts, connecting with the hidden layers of the social psyche while appreciating the importance of open structures and the notion of incompleteness in social arts. Finally, concerning poverty and deprivation, architects should engage in dialogues with marginalized communities and connect with narratives related to disability and the emotional needs of neglected users. https://aup.journal.art.ac.ir/article_1392_59ba933a9ae068660d7dda30291b086d.pdf