It is impossible to become familiar with a territory by simply verifying and analysing the "literature" that already exists, in the form of previous or current studies, and basing one's knowledge on the conclusions drawn by the authors.
Indeed, by basing our knowledge on these recent studies of a territory, although they may be accurate, we risk missing some of the more hidden aspects regarding the locations, and the cultural material of an area, its forms of management, and last but not least, the sense of belonging and aspirations of the communities that inhabit it. And although these elements may not be clearly visible, they could be decisive.
The lack of symmetry that often exists between the knowledge of those responsible for planning an area and the local communities destined to use it is an extremely important, recurrent problem.
In the full awareness of the limits imposed by acquiring a "brief knowledge" of an area, and having stated that it aims to promote the sense of belonging, and the social and economic aspirations of the local communities, Telos bases its approach on detailed, constant participation in the community, from the earliest stages of the project, carrying out in-depth interviews, public meetings, seminars with the population and themed focus group discussions. Telos continues along these same lines when analysing the projects on the field, for example in pilot companies, choosing specific situations as case studies based on their emblematic nature.
The participatory approach becomes a collective hermeneutic process: the researcher plays a part in bringing to light the issues and worries harboured and the expectations held by the parties involved, referring to these continuously, but also gradually reducing the focus of the investigation. The hermeneutic circle is the heart of a process that ends with case reporting, where researchers produce a document containing information useful for determining the choices regarding transformation and management to be formalised in the plans and projects.
In the context of a participatory process for a territorial project, graphics and communication serve as a support and a propeller shaft between the authority pursuing a territorial project and the population that resides in the area involved. A territory is alive if it hosts citizens who have a certain awareness and responsibility for their actions and their future, and who wish to establish a sustainable relationship between man and his environment. The communication tools used must therefore involve the citizens, not only by creating a flow of information and proposals, but also and most of all by creating visions, ideas and emotions that are sure to promote their passionate, efficient participation in the process.

Telos has a specific department dedicated to Multimedia Graphics and Communication for Urban Planning and Territory, which strives to find the most immediate and transversal (visual and emotional) languages available for describing strategic themes linked to the territory.