We are thrilled to share insights from our participation in the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) North West Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Programme 2024.
On June 6th, 2024, our researcher Dr Mirian Calvo delivered an engaging session at Rochdale Town Hall. This event brought together 82 attendees and centred around forward-thinking approaches to urban planning, particularly focusing on participatory design techniques in placemaking with young adults.
Highlights from the Event: Participatory Techniques in Urban Design
Dr Calvo, alongside Susanna Dart (Lancaster City Council Principal Climate Officer), led a thought-provoking presentation on “Placemaking with Young Adults in a Local Plan / Design Code Context – Participatory Techniques.” This session illuminated how engaging young people in urban planning can foster more democratic and inclusive city designs. These insights are drawn from Dr Calvo’s recent works, included in “The Little Book of Design for Policy”, in “Future Home”, in “Legal Design: Dignifying People in Legal Systems” and reports on youth, democracy, and sustainable citizenship.
Interactive Workshop in Rochdale Town Centre
Following the presentation, Dr Calvo facilitated a hands-on workshop in the public spaces of Rochdale Town Centre. This real-world application allowed participants to actively apply participatory techniques, centred around using placemaking tools for the newly completed Rochdale Town Hall and urban regeneration projects. This offered participants a chance to engage directly with the community and the built environment.
Concluding Insights
The event concluded at 4:00 pm with Dr Calvo, Susanna Dart, Michael Atkinson-Smith (Senior Planning Officer – Urban Design), and Ryan Killeen (Principal Planning Officer, Rochdale Borough Council) summarising key takeaways. These included the integration of design codes, the importance of active travel in urban planning, and the critical role of civic engagement.
Dr Calvo stated, “… by employing participatory techniques, planners can ensure developments are not just aesthetically pleasing, but socially inclusive.”
Reflecting on the Experience
Our participation in the RTPI North West CPD Programme highlighted several contemporary challenges and strategies in urban planning:
Integration of Design Codes: The sessions provided a deeper understanding of how design codes can shape cohesive urban spaces. Dr Calvo’s approach emphasised the need for local and broader-scale adoption.
Empowering Local Communities: Engaging local communities was a recurring theme. Civic engagement and participatory design techniques are essential for creating sustainable urban environments.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Effective urban planning requires collaboration across sectors, as showcased in the conference sessions.
Moving Forward
We are committed to establishing enduring partnerships with RTPI and other interested institutions. By collaborating with urban design professionals and local councils, we aim to gain access to real-world challenges and opportunities where we can contribute to and co-develop acute, sustainable solutions for a more inclusive urban future.
Stay tuned for more updates and initiatives from our participatory research aimed at strengthening communities in the realm of architecture and urban design.
Mirian Calvo