jean tzeng




in forms >
  1. montessori transitional space
  2. porous permeable public school
  3. reimagining spirituality and community
  4. elevated gardens for engaged communities
  5. expanded corridor for affordable co-living
  6. divider shelf for accent sisters

in words >
  1. on objects, the body and my interest in design
  2. on unlearning aesthetics for children
  3. on participation and direct democracy
  4. on sustainable agriculture
  5. on psychiatric diagnosis and identity







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From Utopia to Reality: Lessons from a Participatory Budgeting Program




From 2015 to 2016, I was part of a participatory budgeting program in Taipei, Taiwan. This initiative, a collaboration between the Taiwanese government and National Taiwan University’s Sociology Department, aimed to explore how community members could directly decide on budget allocations for local improvements. Over nine months, I hosted information sessions, facilitated discussions during citizens’ forums, and observed how the winning proposals were carried out.

This experience remains valuable to me for the insights it provided into participatory design and workshop facilitation. It offered practical lessons on how to solicit and evaluate opinions effectively, particularly in structured group settings.

At its core, deliberative democracy is about more than just voting. It insists that democratic decisions should emerge from meaningful dialogue—conversations that balance power dynamics and give everyone a fair chance to speak and be heard. This idea captivated me during college, as I’d often wondered: How can people with different views genuinely understand one another? Is it possible to find common ground through real communication, rather than just talking past each other? The program seemed like the perfect chance to see how these theories play out in practice.

The program took place in a residential neighborhood in Taipei, with an older population and declining economic activities, introducing residents to the concept of participatory budgeting. Recruiting participants wasn’t easy. Many were unfamiliar with public affairs and unsure how the budget could be used. To meet our goals, I eventually found myself approaching organized groups like senior dance clubs or community lunch groups, highlighting how the funding could benefit their activities. While this strategy boosted participation, it also meant some groups joined with fixed agendas, aiming more to secure funding than to engage in open discussion.

In the forums, my role as a facilitator was to keep discussions structured and ensure everyone’s ideas were understood and aligned. Many participants were older adults, some curious and others there to back specific proposals. While there were moments of genuine dialogue, voting outcomes reflected pre-existing loyalties rather than new consensus. In my view, the process didn’t disrupt the social hierarchies or networks already in place; instead, it could have reinforced them.

Looking back, this experience taught me valuable lessons that can be applied to participatory design:

  • Acknowledge existing networks: Participants often bring pre-formed relationships and expectations, which can shape the quality of discussions.
  • Encourage input from lay participants: Design workshops to actively involve individuals who might hesitate to speak up, especially on unfamiliar topics.
  • Define success beyond attendance: True success lies in fostering spaces where new ideas can emerge, not just in meeting numerical goals.

Despite the perceived shortcomings of this experience, it provided me with a critical lens for understanding participatory programs and workshops. Bridging the gap between democratic ideals and real-world execution remains a fascinating challenge, fueling my ongoing interest in participatory design for inclusivity and impact.