VIRTUAL Barcelona

Abstract

This project presents a case study of bottom up community engagement with the aim to support neighbourhood planning with the local council. It aimed to embed principles of co-production, intergenerational learning and knowledge exchange between local residents, local government and third sector organisations. The project based in, and responds to, the context of Woodlands. Woodlands has a wealth of social and industrial heritage, built, 1907-1913 for miners to live, influenced by the ‘Garden City’ holistic planning principles (Ebaneezer Howard, 1886), integrating modern and convenient housing with green spaces to address the many critical health and well-being challenges of urban life in industrial Britain. In 1990 the coal mines closed, causing generations of extraction, trauma and poverty that is still seen today. Informed by feminist epistemology this project created knowledge with participants, in place, recognising the different ways of knowing brought by different residents and community groups, shaped by experiences, mediated by gender, race, class and age. In this paper we present and critique some of the methods we used (participant led walks and talks; litter picking and a festival) when engaging with the communities in Woodlands. Drawing on historic accounts, both written, oral and visual histories of Woodlands that engage with the stories of separation informing citizen, state and third sector discourse. These understandings of place are both personal and social. Through analysis we review our methods and data and present findings that aim to support others in rethinking ideas of user engagement and co-designed research.