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London debate, the final in our Sustainable Community Building series

Submitted by Jaina Patel

We recently finished our Sustainable Community: Refurbishment vs New Build debate series at The Abbey Centre in London on 15 March 2011. We were delighted with the panellists presentations and thought provoking discussion from the audience.

Throughout the series audiences have focussed on everything from capacity building to the political, social and economic implications of the Big Society and Localism Bill. There was clearly great concern over the expectations being placed on communities to provide services for local people and to take on greater responsibility for the community buildings that can host them. While there is a great emphasis on the importance and potential for partnership working, it is clear that finding strong and confident partners in the current climate is challenging. Particular concern was expressed over the role of local authorities. The decisions they make around the disposal of assets currently in or potentially for community use and their relationship with community partners will be a key factor. But many have argued that new relationships, new models and more creative approaches are crucial, and that we must have the courage to see opportunities in the changing landscape.

The Sustainable Community Building debate series raised a number of issues that bear further investigation.  We welcome your comments and questions on our blog, and invite you to continue to bring us your experiences, learning and recommendations.

More detailed outlines of the key themes from each debate are available on our website at www.theglasshouse.org.uk

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The Sustainable Community Building: Refurbishment vs New Build, Newcastle Debate

Submitted by Jaina Patel

The third debate in our lively  series took place in Newcastle on Tuesday 22 March at Northern Stage, we were fortunate to once again have a diverse and interesting panel of speakers who shared their thoughts and experiences on the subject.

Our panel of speakers were Christine Morrison, North East Coordinator, Community Matters, Tim Mosedale, Director, Mosedale Gillatt Architects, Tom Johnston, Trust Director, Glendale Gateway Trust and John Dawson, Treasurer and Trustee, Lemington Community Centre.

As with our previous debates in Edinburgh and Cardiff, the community representatives (John Dawson and Tom Johnston) provided frank and insightful accounts of their experiences when taking on the owenership of a refurbished and new build community building and talked about how trying to incorporate sustainable concepts were not as easy as they had anticipated. 

Tim Mosedale (architect) shed light on the various issues architects face when taking on the development of a community building. Its often seen as a 'them' and 'us' process and Tim was able to explore this area in more detail, explaining that this preconception is far from his way of working with community groups. 

Christine Morrison, Community Matters presented her views on the subject from a political perspective, exploring how the Coalition's Big Society agenda, Localism Bill and cuts to local budgets will have a direct impact on the future of the community building.

There is a dedicated page on the Glass-House Sustainable Community Building page where you can download the key themes from the event.

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Spaces by Design, Dunblane September 2010

Submitted by Maja Luna Jorgensen

Claire from BDR sets up

Arranged in collaboration with Development Trust Association Scotland Delivered by Bureau - Design + Research (BDR)

8 & 9th September 2010 Braeport Centre, Dunblane

Participating groups: Artlink, Edinburgh Royal Hospital

Dunblane Development Trust

Glenkens Community and Arts Trust

Walkerburn Community Development Trust

Spaces by Design is one of a series of two-day Design Training courses The Glass-House Community Led Design delivers to community groups.

DAY 1

When the Glass-House team arrived, we were pleasantly surprised to see all 4 groups there, rearing to get started. Several of the groups had travelled long distances to be there.

After registrations, handing out of packs and a cuppa, Maja from The Glass-House and Wendy from DTA Scotland introduced the course. Leo and Claire from BDR started the morning with a short presentation on public space and design, and asked each of the groups to set up their workspace. The groups each had a table with a large map of their area and a corner of the hall at the lovely Braeport Centre, managed by the Dunblane Development Trust. In fact, we benefitted hugely from being in Dunblane and having the Development Trust attending the course. They shared their story of developing Dunblane in Bloom, a group that works on a voluntary basis to improve the environment of their town. 

Cathy from Walkerburn DT presents their project to develop a sloping site adjacent to homes in Walkerburn.

When the groups had set up a little exhibition of material about their project, each group presented the work they had done prior to attending the course, using photos, maps and documents to tell the story of their group and project.

Leo and Claire presented and discussed good public spaces with the groups and showed examples of public spaces that work, explaining what it is that makes them successful - Streets, Parks, Green Spaces, Play Spaces, Squares/Piazzas. Time for lunch from the lovely Tilly Tearooms.

The afternoon was a study tour that took the group out and about to experience public places that have been regenerated, meet and learn from the people who were involved in the process and to get ideas for their own projects.

We started off with a short tour of some of the work the Dunblane in Bloom group have done - planting in hanging baskets, flower planting along roads and upgrades made to roundabouts in the town.

Walkerburn's final model

 

Glenkins Final Model

 

Artlink Final Model

 

   "[The course was] very enjoyable – great balance of interactive/action visits & information."

 

 

If you would like more information about this or other Design Training courses run by The Glass-House then please contact Maja Jorgensen at The Glass-House on 020 7490 4583 or via maja@theglasshouse.org.uk.

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