The Architecture of Participatory Processes: Design Considerations for the Assessment of Hyperscale Data Center Proposals in Wisconsin

Join the Data Center Working Group on October 16, 11am-12:30pm, for a talk with Esther Kang, assistant professor of design studies in the School of Human Ecology.

The role of community input in the assessment of hyperscale data center proposals plays a critical part in shaping what constitutes responsible development in the age of AI and sustainability transitions. Community demands for transparency in zoning and planning procedures are not new, yet the concentration of its rise across the US reveals an emerging political landscape to consider as the broader discourse on data centers unfolds. This talk will highlight the architecture and conditions of participatory processes, using regions in WI as key references. Dr. Esther Kang will discuss the lifecycle of a hyperscale data center proposal and lifespan of a review process, highlighting their design implications for community members in the badger state.

This is an in-person talk in McArdle 1109.