Open House is a UK charily set up influence the future shape of London by “highlighting and promoting architectural excellence”, “enabling everyone to build their understanding of architecture and of the impact it has on broader social issues – and to challenge them to think differently”, “support people in articulating and expressing their needs and aspirations for the quality of the spaces and places they use every day” and “involve Londoners of all ages and abilities in the development of strategies for a better built environment”.
What an amazing charity you are probably thinking, and so am I! We need these not just for london but also for other, more regional cities and towns where perhaps planning considerations may be under less public scruitny. I have always been in awe of Open House, and enthusiastically attend London Open House Weekend (dragging my friends around with me, some more appreciative than others), but now they’ve surpassed even my high regard of them…
My city too!! (source http://www.mycitytoo.org.uk/index.html)
Open House has set up an amazing initiative, called “My city too!”, to get teenagers involved in debates and decisions on the future of London’s built environment. Open House recruit ‘Ambassadors’ (across 22 London boroughs involving over 1000 young people), aged between 12-19, who work on ideas to make the whole of London better for everyone.
My city too! have formed this Manifesto:
- Let us have our say and young people will be fully involved in planning, designing and decision-making in their city
We can’t vote – yet – but it is our city too! We can help improve places and spaces and we’ll use and respect them more if we’ve been asked - We want every inch of the capital to be used and not left derelict
Even if unused spaces can’t be redeveloped immediately, we’ll help you find new uses for them; when left derelict they are dangerous and make our area look and feel abandoned - We need sheltered places to sit and to meet people that are better designed and well looked after
Quality design and materials that are well looked after tell our communities that we are worth investing in - We need broader pavements and car-free streets
Pedestrian areas need to be planned and designed to be safer for everyone - We want lively streets with better and more creative lighting
Busy, well-lit areas will help us and everyone else feel safe on our streets - We want every generation to have their own corner in public spaces, acknowledging their needs and making them feel welcome
Separating activity zones for small children, teenagers, adults and senior citizens through soft zoning (floor markings, tree fences, etc) will ensure everyone feels happy about sharing the same public space - We want play and performance areas for young people that are at the heart of shopping centres, main streets and parks
Design places where we can meet each other and be seen doing something worthwhile while feeling safe - We want playful signs, bright colour schemes and changing public art
Give our local areas a stronger identity and make them places that we are proud of - We want trees, pools and fountains everywhere
Greenery and water features have a calming effect and make places feel more welcoming - We want everyone to be able to move around London
Provide ramps and lifts in all public spaces so everyone can be part of the capital
Young Design Champions + Right Decisions = Better London Spaces
At HOK london we are running more and more workshops with young people. I recently posted an article about a workshop I helped with where young people came in to design a new innovative type of school, centred around a business (Studio Schools). We’re planning alot more of this, and my personal feeling is that it’s not just schools we need their input in. Watch this space!