In the upcoming three decades, global settling dynamics will heavily influence whether or not we will be able to transform our habitats in a just, sustainable and livable way. The compiled mapping not only identifies the key academic actors and institutions, the state-of-the-art theories, models and methods but also includes possible future research pathways in the field of participatory design of people-centered cities. It proofs that participatory design is an interdisciplinary theme, which builds upon very different bodies of knowledge and varying communities, bringing together knowledge and research results far beyond boarders of traditional academic approaches.