Involving young people in improving their neighbourhoods
Angus Willson is available as a Spaceshaper 9-14 facilitator.
“Young people are major users of parks, strets, playgrounds and other public spaces. But they are often overlooked during community consultations. Getting them involved in the design process can raise their aspirations for public spaces, increasing respect for and use of a completed site.”
How it works
Spaceshaper 9-14 is a workshop based programme, run by a trained facilitator. A site visit and a range of other hands-on activities allow young people to get involved.
You benefit because it:
- Identifies a space’s strenths and weaknesses
- Establishes what is most important to young people
- Compares different viewpoints
- Stimulates new ideas for improvements
- Tracks changes in young people’s view over time
Young people benefit because it:
- Gives participants a better understanding of design quality
- Engages young people so they feel a genuine part of the process
- Encourages them to work with others to improve their local communities
- Develops a public space they will use and enjoy
- Trains young people to become co-facilitators of the workshops
To find out more about using Spaceshaper 9-14 or hiring a facilitator contact Angus Willson >
Reference:
http://www.spaceshaper9-14.co.uk
And what these sessions can achieve…
Improving Young People’s Lives: The role of the environment in building resilience, responsibility and employment chances
“Public outdoor places are important to young people (Matthews and Limb, 2000; Bird, 2007) and young people’s needs should be considered in their design. (Beunderman et al, 2007) Chawla (2002) identifies the benefits of involving young people in planning: “young people have insight, creativity and thoughts to contribute to the shaping of their cities and towns. At the same time, they learn the habits and practices of democratic government and environmental care.”
Matthews H, Limb M (2000) Exploring the ‘Fourth Environment’: young people’s use of place and views on their environment. Children 5 – 16 Research Briefing
Bird W (2007) Natural Thinking – investigating the links between the natural environment, biodiversity and mental health. A report for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Beunderman J, Hannon C, Bradwell P (2007) Seen and heard: reclaiming the public realm with children and young people.London, Demos
Chawla L (2002) Insight, creativity and thoughts on the environment: integrating children and youth into human settlement development. Environment & Urbanization Vol 14 No 2 October 2002 www.unesco.org/most/guic/euchawla.pdf [Opens in new window]
Reference:
Anderson, Beverley and Reynolds, Jake (2010) Improving Young People’s Lives: The role of the environment in building resilience, responsibility and employment chances, Sustainable Development Commission
Source: http://www.sd-commission.org.uk/publications.php?id=1113 [Opens in new window]