For research and practice on democratic and participatory design to advance further, we need to find more common ways to document and critically examine our work. Furthermore, we need to be able to look across projects and methods to develop a more shared language and comparative way of working. The purpose of this paper is to present a case study method I have developed as part of the Landscape Architecture Foundation’s “Case Study Initiative in Land and Community Design”. Developed recently for landscape architecture, the method may have value for design and planning projects involving user and community participation. Specifically the method will be adapted to fit participatory projects within diverse Pacific Rim contexts. The presentation will consist of the suggested case study method and its potential application to participatory projects. This will be followed by a discussion among conference participants of the value and limitations of the approach. The goal is to further develop the method to advance further theory development, practice, and teaching in participatory design and planning.

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