Spaceshaper 9-14: giving young people a say in their neighbourhood

A pioneering toolkit will be launched today (11 December) to capture young peoples’ views about their local parks, streets and squares.

Spaceshaper 9-14 will be launched by Ed Balls MP, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, at Wakefield-based arts and architecture organisation Beam.

The activity-based toolkit has been developed to capture the views of young people aged 9-14, who are often left out of decisions that affect their lives. Developed by CABE and Beam, with The Architecture Centre, Bristol and Kent Architecture Centre, it explores what young people think about how local places are used and how they can be improved.

Rt Hon Ed Balls MP, said:  ‘I hope the Spaceshaper 9-14 toolkit will help capture the ideas of young people when new public spaces are being planned or improved.  When I'm visiting different areas I often meet our young designers, architects and town planners of the future who tell me how they've contributed to key decisions for their school grounds or play spaces.  I want to encourage even more young people to get involved in the development of public spaces and I hope this toolkit will help local authorities to facilitate this.’

Fourteen pilot workshops have seen local councils using it to get young people involved in shaping their areas. Spaceshaper 9-14 is based around eight themes that vary from design to use and maintenance. Workshops are led by a trained facilitator and are adapted to each individual site visited. They include map and photo work and role play.

In Southampton, nine and ten year olds said they wanted their local park in the Thornhill estate to feel wilder and have more plants and flowers and their views have been incorporated in a funding bid.

Richard Simmons, CABE Chief Executive said: ‘Young people have opinions about their local parks, squares and streets, but too often they go unheard. Their views matter. Spaceshaper 9-14 is an imaginative new way of getting young people involved and giving them a chance to have their say.’

Robert Powell, Beam Executive Director said: ‘We believe passionately in the importance of meaningfully involving young people in thinking about and changing the places they use - their neighbourhoods, schools, parks and public spaces. We are delighted that the DCSF has supported this project and recognises the important role of regionally based architecture centres like Beam, Bristol and Kent, working in partnership with CABE.’

To find out more visit www.cabe.org.uk/public-space/spaceshaper-9-14

Notes to editors

• If you would like to attend the launch of Spaceshaper 9-14 or would like more information or images please contact Carmel O’Toole on 07838 368813 or c.otoole@virgin.net at Beam or Dominy Bird at CABE on 020 7070 6772 or dbird@cabe.org.uk.
• If you are a local authority wishing to make use of Spaceshaper 9-14 or a young person wanting to attend a workshop near you, please contact Spaceshaper9-14@cabe.org.uk.
• Year 5 pupils (aged 9-10) from St Mary’s Church of England Primary School in Wakefield, who are using Spaceshaper 9-14 to help them improve a park a few hundred yards from their school, will be taking part in the launch event. The park on Berners Street, Wakefield is part of Wakefield Council’s ‘Playbuilder’ improvement programme.
• Spaceshaper 9-14 is used to help identify the strengths and weaknesses of a space, establishing what is most important to young people, stimulating new ideas and tracking changes in young people’s views over time. It is for use both in schools and with youth groups.
• Spaceshaper was launched in February 2007 by CABE and is designed for people that have a willingness to bring about change in a space. So far over 200 facilitators have been trained and 75 workshops have taken place around the country. www.cabe.org.uk/spaceshaper
• Spaceshaper 9-14 is funded by DCSF. Pilot projects were held at St James Park, Southampton; Hartcliffe schools, Bristol; Great Lines, Chatham; Netham Park Play Space, Bristol; Eston Urban Park, Cleveland; West Hackney Recreation Ground, London; Hinkler Green, Southampton (phase 1 and 2); Covent Garden, London; Manor Road Park, Scarborough; Cinderford Triangle, Forest of Dean; Bradley Stoke Community School, South Gloucestershire; Fortune Green, West Hampstead; and Daisy Fields, Thurrock.   
• CABE is the government’s advisor on architecture, urban design and public space. As a public body, we encourage policymakers to create places that work for people. We help local planners apply national design policy and offer expert advice to developers and architects. We show public sector clients how to commission buildings that meet the needs of their users. And we seek to inspire the public to demand more from their buildings and spaces. Advising, influencing and inspiring, we work to create well-designed, welcoming places. www.cabe.org.uk
• Beam, Yorkshire’s architecture centre is leading the project with its partners The Architecture Centre, Bristol and Kent Architecture Centre. Each centre has a history of bringing together young people, developers and facilitators to raise the awareness of each other’s needs and through a common understanding create demand for better places. www.beam.uk.net, www.architecturecentre.co.uk, www.architecturecentre.org