Learning Environment Reurba2: Overview: St.Paul's church 'A New Heart for Bow

This overview reflects the most important findings on completion of the 10-step process in the ReUrbA² lifestyle learning environment.

Whom are you planning for?

The current and future lifestyles as reflected by the moodboard have been identified as the ones for which this neighbourhood will be planned for in the next decade or so. They have been selected with the general demographic shifts and the specific political ambitions for this neighbourhood in mind.

lone original urbanites

new professional urbanites

second generation ethnic urbanites

family original urbanites

What should you plan?

This moodboard reflects the kind of social and living environment that would attract the lifestyles as identified above. Furthermore, people are either looking for a comfortable home with, for example, parking facilities close by, in which case this neighbourhood will have to compete with the suburbs, or a living and social environment with lots of character and a unique identify. Which do you offer?

Living Environment

Neighbourhood orientation

Comfort or Identity

Living Environment

Neighbourhood orientation

Comfort or Identity

Living Environment

Neighbourhood orientation

Comfort or Identity

Living Environment

Neighbourhood orientation

Comfort or Identity

How should you accomplish this?

In order to create these living and social environments to attract the lifestyles as identified, the following should or should not be done:

Residential concepts

Must do
better supply of affordable housing so that people can continue to live in the area, close to other family members public housing to be better maintained streets and estates kept cleaner, tidier amd free from anti-social behaviour provide places within estates where people can gather

Must not do
price local people out of the market build new homes but with no community facilities build new homes but have no estate wardens, caretakers, concierge workers to maintain them

Public space

Must do
use neighbourhood workers provide more high visibility patrolling improve monoitoring of CCTV that is already installed improve lighting and design of public spaces so that community safety has a high priority improve existing venues for young people find new ways to involve young people more positively find ways of preventing the spread of gang culture among groups of young people find better ways to tackle the drugs that are a serious menace to children and a blight on public spaces

Must not do
spend all the money on flower beds and benches ignore young people ignore safety concerns omit thorough consultation with range of local people

Degree/type of differentiation

Must do
Provide range of housing for different lifestyles Affordable Integrate the types of housing so that particular groups do not become 'ghetto-ised' but at the same time address safety fears.

Must not do
Concentrate people of similar lifestyle in particular areas and create 'ghetto' culture.

Important facilities and features

Must do
local people to gain more from the regeneration that is taking place more businesses to relocate to the area and to stay here. a local workforce that genuinely reflects the diversity of local communities bring the generations together - provide joint leisure facilities for the use of older people and pre-schollers during the day and young people in the evening. improve conections between parents, young people and youth workers. have drop in centres for parents needing help with behaviour management. provide centres for the celebration of the arts and cultures from all communities

Must not do
exclude residents and small businesses from development planning segregate facilities along age, ethnic or other lines ignore young people in consultation processes ignore the issues which young people are facing

Where should you start?

A transitional phase is needed in which pioneers from these lifestyles and who are willing to invest are attracted to the area. In order to attract these pioneers some temporary facilities are needed. This is what you start with tomorrow!

Are there people who want to invest money in an area which is indeed developing but which still has a negative image?

Olympics 2012 Thames Gateway (central Government) Mayor's London Plan

Are there pioneers who will win other people over once they have been won over themselves?

Small businesses Market traders Faith communities Young families Local councillors

Which temporary facilities are required in order to breathe life into the transition? Examples may be studios for artists or small workshops for companies in accommodation that is getting too small.

Appropriate accomodation for small businesses if they have to be moved which is negotiated rather than 'compulsory purchased' Venue where market traders can meet to develop plans and administrative support to take these forward. Venues where faith communities can meet and develop ideas. Resources for capacity building Venues where young families can meet to develop ideas which include childcare facilities if women's voices are to be heard. All four groups need resources so that they can develop their own ideas rather than being told what they should do. Local councillors - often live locally but do have some administrative support.

See the full report for all the questions and answers.