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Engaging with Future Communities – Hexham Community Engagement Event

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An important aspect of the majority of co-housing schemes is the way in which the development is designed, the future communities that are to inhabit them are (as mentioned in Developing a Design Brief posted on Wednesday 25th March).

As part of the ‘Alternative Housing’ module being undertook in Semester Two, my cohort received the opportunity to lead a community engagement design event. Both the cohort and myself combined our knowledge and research to develop an activity which would help us with the design of external spaces and the positioning of residential blocks and community facilities within our developing masterplan. Using elements of the ‘Plan Maker Method’ (Community Places, 2014)  we used a base plan with 3D blocks representing the different buildings for example homes and buildings of communal use. By creating a number of labels with key activities and uses we asked to community their needs and aspirations required of the future development.

Referring back Watson and Bentley argument stated in previous blog post the experience of engaging within conversation with the community allowed me to develop an understanding of what is of most importance and what is of least. By encouraging and directing discussion I was able to let the community convoy their own personal ideas in relation to the future design decisions in the creation of the scheme.

Figure 1: Engaging and Discussing Community Aspirations and Needs

Source: (Alina Pavolva, 2015)

The use of the model and plan-maker labels, ensured discussions were focussed and valuable information was collected. Wate’s (2004), concern relating to community engagement discussions being ‘off topic and a forum for all topics to be discussed’ were overcome by mediating and encouraging conversations. Adopting the role of mediator and encouraging discussions was challenging as it was of importance to the group that all members were involved and all ideas where heard.

To conclude I believe it is evident that allowing communities to engage within the design development is of beneficial to the designer as the experience can allow designers to develop their knowledge and understanding of what is to be produced. The creation of a resource as seen in Figure 2 provides the opportunity for designers to go away and analyse the community opinion and suggestions.

Figure 2: Creating a Resource: The Outcome of the Community Engagement Event

IMAG8355

Source: AuthorsOwn

Which in turn evidences that not only does community engagement allow for designers to understand the context, community and requirements for a design but helps to ensure places reflect a specific character and inhabitants encourage and establish their own sense of place identity.

References and Figures

Community Places, (2014), Community Planning Toolkit, available at: http://www.communityplanningtoolkit.org/sites/default/files/Engagement.pdf, last accessed: 29/04/2015.

Wates, N., (2004), The Community Planning Handbook, 2nd Edition, EarthScan, Routledge, London.

Watson, G.B. & Bentley, I., (2007), Identity by Design, Architectural Press, London.

Figure 1: Engaging and Discussing Community Aspirations and Needs, Source: (Alina Pavlova, 2015).

Figure 2: Figure 2: Creating a Resource: The Outcome of the Community Engagement Event, Source: (Author’s Own, 2015).

The post Engaging with Future Communities – Hexham Community Engagement Event appeared first on Urban Design.


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