Changing communal space: a repeatable methodology for improving ‘rundown neighborhoods’

Georgia Butina Watson & Liz Kessler, "Small Changes – Big Gains: Transforming the Public and Communal Open Spaces in Rundown Neighbourhoods," Journal of Urban Design 18 (2013): 4

Some take-aways: This article advocates for the use of urban design theories and urban design collaborative approaches in public efforts to transform communal space. Based on a case study from London, the article proposes some general considerations that might be important for similar projects. They are as follows (cited from pages 578-80):

1) “Framing the Context” – in other words, “understanding the area as a whole”. Techniques include morphological and space syntax surveys, though less technical approaches are equally important.

2) “Vision, Strategic Urban Design Solutions and Working with a New Breed of Officers” – in other words, it is important for stakeholders to decide on a given vision so different departments and organizations can work together.

3) “The Value of Urban Design Qualities” – this highlights the capacity of various urban design qualities to potentiate positive social and community change.

4) “Benefits of Engaging with Residents” – in the London case, getting community input on appropriate design solutions was not as time consuming as indicated by much social research. Benefits of engaging with residents could include “quicker delivery” and “the avoidance of abortive work and lower costs.”

5) “Dedicated Funding and a Strategic Approach to its Use” – Benefits of dedicated funding, especially from the outset of projects, include: “[ensuring] that work is embedded in departmental work programmes,” “[acting] as match funding to attract additional funding,” “[being] used to initiate work and commission design, including the urban design framework plans,” and “[enabling] the implementation of early phases of work and strengthen the case for further funding.”

6) “Implementation of Work in Manageable Phases” – this kind of planning “enables work to start more quickly, helps gain support, builds confidence and maintains momentum while also strengthening the case for additional funds.”

7) “The Importance of Care and Maintenance” – this refers to the importance of doing ongoing, less intensive work after the completion of the main project. 

Abstract: Rundown neighbourhoods and social housing estates may not be visible to the majority of the population but they have an impact on society as a whole and not just those who live in them. This paper explains the concepts, processes and methods applied in the transformational change of public and communal open spaces in EC1, south Islington in London, and highlights the benefits of the change to their everyday users. The paper brings together a body of urban design theories and urban design collaborative approaches on open space transformational change.

Full article (requires access)