Arts and culture are not luxuries, but central to the central task of urban development: improving people’s lives. Many times artistic expressions are seem separated from the work of urban planners. There is a need to recognize and appreciate the role of arts and cultural expressions in sustainable urban development. In other words, arts and culture as tools that combined with urban planning interventions can foster transformative actions. The panel specifically aims to recognize how the use of arts/culture in urban planning processes can be particularly transformative for oppressed communities. We want to finally reflect on how experimental and participatory art can cultivate community development.