COMMUNITIES
ETHOS
In an urban ecosystem, people and place are symbiotically interconnected through a series of natural and man-made systems. When something changes, the other components have to adapt to the new conditions. This is why it is so important to understand people before any change takes place in an urban environment. Unfortunately, built environment professions have been very concerned with technical appraisals in the past few decades, tying to make development viable both practically and financially. This focus meant that professionals often fail to understand how people might be affected.
This gap in practice motivated me to train as a community organiser, and to dedicate a significant portion of my research to study the psychology and sociology of place, along with anthropological techniques for community engagement.
URBAN ROOM
I have been the Lead Curator of Nottingham’s Urban Room since 2019, I also represent the Urban Design Group at the Steering Group. This short clip explains what the Urban Room is.
I created a learning programme called Co-PLACE in partnership with Community Organisers Notts, a knowledge-sharing platform for communities, designers, developers and planners to learn from each other and to find improved strategies to work together.
The Urban Room regularly hosts workshops, training sessions and family events. Look at the website to see what goes on at 38 Carrington Street or if you wish to book the space for your event.
PLACE IDENTITY
Understanding what a place means to people through time is fundamental to deliver people-led development and growth. Designers have a duty of care toward people, This is not only achievable by design but also through planning and build processes. A significant part of my work involves working on place character, community landscapes, collective memories of place and place identity. As part of Nottingham Design Quality Framework, the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University are collaborating with Nottingham City Council to deliver a complex project that aims to map local identity across Nottingham, from the eyes of its residents. This aims to establish what are the key characteristics that make each area special, which will help protect and enhance neighbourhood identity in the long term.
In 2017, I worked on a project called Sneinton Memories, in collaboration with the Muslim Community Organisation. The project captured memories of a group of ladies of various backgrounds who grew up in the neighbourhood. A booklet photographed by Marcos Compagnucci was published, this is available for viewing at Nottingham’s libraries.
SCHOOLS
I have been working with schools since 2014, creating and delivering workshops for pupils from nursery age up to A levels. I believe children have an incredibly truthful way to understand the built environment and because of that, they can often come up with the most genuinely realistic and interesting proposals.
The programmes I put together for schools touch on all aspects of architecture, urban design and planning. I have delivered workshops on bridge structures, facade design, the concept of beauty, environmental issues and climate chance action. Sessions for older students focus on career opportunities and the life of professionals in the built environment.