About the project
Final Conference
In May 2008 Swindon Borough Council held the Final Conference for the European project Streets for Living. The conference was the closure of this successful transnational partnership. In preparation of the final conference the three participating countries (Swindon, Hilversum and La Courneuve) produced the Final Report.
The goal of the Streets for Living project was to develop street design and increase safety through community participation. Thereafter three objectives were set out; - The Street Environment, Community Engagement & Social Inclusion and Crime & Safety. Each objective has a different toolkit as a set of best practice guides based on practical experiences. The three key aspects of the project formed the main subjects for the final conference.
The location of the conference was the esteemed old Steam museum in Swindon. At the museum amongst the backdrop of the beautiful trains delegates were able to discuss how to develop street design and increase safety through community participation.
The Streets for Living Final Conference May 2008 was attended by professionals, public authorities, elected members and staff from England, France and the Netherlands. Who not only participated in the conference but also contributed to the success of the conference.
The conference was opened with the Mayor of Swindon welcoming the delegates, this was followed an introduction by Cllr Peter Greenhalgh, cabinet member for Highways, Transport and Strategic Planning. After which a wide variety of Workshops were held, these are listed below;-
1. Street environment, innovative tools: which new methods can be used in order to improve the street environment, for example an alternative design for parking, speed traffic measures etc.
2. Crime and Safety: the goal for this workshop was to discuss how to design out crime so residents felt safe in the public space.
3. Community participation: How the community participated in designing the public space to make it their own. What was the best way in which the community contributed to the design of the public space.
4. Youth Involvement: Youngsters are often seen as a difficult group to reach when participating in plans for public space. During this workshop attendees discussed the best ways in which to involve youngster in planning for public space.
The results of the four workshops were presented in the plenary session. Valuable lessons were learnt from the Streets for Living project and were shared with the delegates.
We can look back to a very successful and pleasant transnational partnership, ending with the final conference a celebration of the project and a new beginning for the community.
Swindon
Name of Local Project: Streets for Living (STRING E105)
Problem Description: The project includes sections of four streets – Ponting Street, Gladstone Street, Salisbury Street and Graham Street which are located
in the Central Ward of Swindon. This is one of the most deprived wards in the southwest region with high levels of crime and
social exclusion, which the Streets for Living Project aims to improve.
Objective of Project: The objective is to use the transformation of the street environment as a driver to reduce crime and social exclusion.
Methodology:
The four existing streets will be transformed with new surfaces that may be shared by vehicles and pedestrians. It will
include new street lighting, new parking areas, children’s play areas, hard soft landscaping, bicycle storage and seating
areas. The local community will play an important role in the design and will take part in community events, which will be
organised in the streets. There will be opportunities to voice opinions through community surveys both on a one-to-one basis
and in groups. The local community will work together and share experience with the communities in La Courneuve and
Hilversum, which will help to form new social networks both locally and internationally. This will be managed to give
ownership of the projects to the communities and thus help to improve social inclusion and reduce crime. The community
surveys will enable reductions of crime and improvements in social inclusion to be measured and analysed.
For more information about the Swindon project click here
Hilversum
Name of local project: Liebergen
Problem discription:
Many original homes in Liebergen do not meet modern standards. They are too small, noisy and badly insulated. They are not
adapted to the specific needs of the elderly and the physically or mentally handicapped. Vulnerable groups often do not feel
safe in the public areas. Mobility is essential for their participation in the community and to reduce their social
exclusion.
Objectives of the project:
Our policy is that everyone should be able to live in a conventional neighbourhood for as long as possible. From this point
of view we are looking for the best way in which to design the public area, an area where a person feels sheltered and
belongs, regardless of age or ethnic background. The objective of the neighbourhood regeneration in Liebergen is primarily to
strengthen its original characteristics. Participation of the residents is a key factor in our approach.
Envisaged result:
In the period 2004 through 2007, 600 homes will be demolished and replaced by 700 new ones (partly terraced and partly in
apartment buildings). A new community centre will be established. About 40.000 sq. metres of public area, including
playgrounds, will be restored according the principles of “design for all” and “design out crime”.
The approach:
The sequential stages of our approach, analogous to our urban renewal projects, are:
- for housing associations, welfare organisations and the local authority to come to a public agreement about their
goals and constrains for the neighbourhood regeneration (completed in 2001);
- to invite all residents to give their own view on the future of the neighbourhood (completed in 2002);
- for the authorities to develop a master plan for the neighbourhood (completed in 2003);
- to have each specific location (i.e. building or public area) designed and built. (from 2004 through 2008.)
During the whole process residents are frequently contacted through diverse means of communication.
For more information about the Hilversum project click here
Plaine Commune
Name of local project: Centre Urbain de la Tour
Problem description:
In the Centre Urbaine de la Tour issues being addressed are ethnicity and social exclusion, economic regeneration and
diversification of urban functions. The key driving force is to reduce crime, vandalism and antisocial behaviour.
Objectives of project:
Improve the living conditions of local residents through new public spaces
Create links, thanks to Streets for Living, with surrounding areas
Make these new streets common to the neighbourhoods
Envisaged result:
The objective is to use the transformation of the street environment as a driver to reduce crime, vandalism and antisocial
behaviour.
Plan and approach/method:
Participation of local residents in the design of the streets in the Centre Urbaine de la Tour.
Participation of the local security organisation both in terms of use of security systems and developing a police presence in
the area, as well as exploring how the role of design in the streetscape can help to reduce crime and vandalism.
For more information about the Plaine Commune project click here
|
