resources for all
 
 
resources for members
 
join now
 
 

spotlight

Creativity in placemaking: Who can make good spaces happen?

Unlocking creativity in placemaking doesn't need to depend on huge budgets or complex megaplans. Successful places inspire, engage and surprise.

Urban environments that make the most of existing place assets and energise or activate our places and spaces is what most of us are looking for.

We know that this doesn't need to be rocket science. We've seen popular, creative places emerge in recent years - often created on tiny budgets. We like the recent spate of 'pop-up' amenities, from a Lido on the roof of London's Hayward Gallery; an outdoor community living room in a disused rooftop carpark; community gardens in neglected council-owned green spaces; play areas on mothballed development sites; a summertime urban forest on a public riverside walkway and numerous creative galleries and workshop hubs housed in recession-hit empty high street shops.

We support, and encourage, such smaller scale projects and social interventions. They serve real community needs, and help to achieve economic and civil wellbeing. They encourage community involvement, and they don't require the input of too many consultants or developers fixated on retail and commercial spaces.

Creative thinking required

It is perhaps even more important in times of economic restraint that inclusivity, originality and creativity is encouraged in the design and development of the built environment.

As a leading resource and knowledge sharing network for urban designers and placemakers, RUDI believes that there is an important emerging agenda for how artists and the creative community are involved in the planning, design, development and delivery of vibrant, culturally relevant and inclusive places and spaces.

To this end, we've brought together a unique collection of inspirational and creative thinkers and practitioners to discuss and debate creative placemaking ...... to find out more visit www.rudi.net/node/22066

 

urban design news

More than 90 per cent of the population use parks and green spaces: more green flag awards given this year

Parks act as ﾑgreen lungsﾒ in our most built-up areas and are important to people. This year, a record number of Green Flag and Pennant Awards have been given to some of the best parks and green spaces in the country. Recent research (Heritage Lottery Fund ﾖ October 2009) shows that every year, in... more >

New Scottish guidance on effective community engagement has advice and lessons for communities across the UK

The Scottish Government has updated advice ﾖ containing lessons for communities across the UK ﾖ on ensuring communities can effectively engage in the planning system. Engagement with a wide range of interests is essential to ensure that harder to reach groups have the opportunity to get involved in... more >

Report sets out improved framework for developing, appraising and evaluating sustainable development policies

The Final Report of the Review of the Economics of Sustainable Development is now available. The Review proposes a working definition of sustainable development, identifies considerations that policymakers need to understand when assessing whether an individual project or policy is consistent... more >

Green roof data from Sheffield contributes to database on progress and planning policy

A partnership between Groundwork Sheffield, The Green Roof Centre and Sheffield City Council has spent four months collecting data for a comprehensive audit of Sheffieldﾒs green roofs. The data has been entered into an online resource for green roof data. Research Officer Michaella Leahy has been... more >

Toolkit to support planners and developers to understand place-making and support the creation of vibrant places

The Living Places Culture and Sport Planning Toolkit has received recognition from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) as a best practice product for place making. The Culture and Sport Planning Toolkit gets the stamp of approval from the HCA Place Making Recognition Scheme. The scheme... more >
Read more news > Back to top >
 

project overviews

Derby's Cathedral Green: A positive investment in place

In August 2007, the BBC announced: 'It's another big day in Derby's development as work starts on the £3.8m Cathedral Green, creating a modern new footbridge as well as seating and space for outside events. 'Two years later, Derby is proud to see the swing bridge nominated for the Prime Minister's award for Better Public Building.

more >
See more project overviews > Back to top >
 

feature

The Urban Room: Who is responsible for creativity in public space?

In London, says architect Michel Mossessian, it is currently city planners who are responsible for defining (and defending) public spaces, but in reality their role is that of negotiator: they negotiate with property developers to guarantee the requisite contribution to the public realm, which is quantified through categories such as public art, green space and so on. This leaves little margin for creative thinking.

Shouldn't it be the role and responsibility of the architect to think through and define public spaces? he asks.

more >
Read more features > Back to top >
 

forum - topic of the week

Roundabouts

I am struggling with highway proposals for an 'improved' road network involving a series of roundabouts (some 60m diameter) in place of cross roads/signalized junctions. The demolitions required are going to leave some awful scars but the written justification for resisting these is thin on the... more >
Join the debate > Back to top >
 

events

Aplaceforcreativity

15th July 2010: 10.15am - 4.40pm One-day conference
 

As the leading resource and knowledge sharing network for urban design and placemaking, RUDI believes that there is an important emerging agenda for how artists and the creative community are involved in the planning, design, development and delivery of vibrant, culturally relevant and inclusive communities

This conference is being organised by RUDI in partnership with Milton Keynes Gallery & David Lock Associates to bring together all those involved in placemaking and art and design that have an interest in creating unique, interesting and stimulating places.

Speakers include:

  • Michel Mossessian, Principal Designer, Mossessian & Partners
  • Will Cousins, Architect, Urban Designer & Director, David Lock Associates
  • Stephanie Fuller, Senior Manager, Regional Planning, Arts Council England
  • Michael Stanley, Director, Modern Art Oxford
  • Liza Fior, Director, MUF Architects & Artists
  • Michael Pinsky, Artist
  • Shaeron Averbuch, Artist & Founding Partner, Art in Architecture
  • Ross McEwan, Urban Designer & Project Manager, Granton sur Mer
  • Henrik Sander & Dr. Stefanie Bremer, Urban Planners, orange edge (Dortmund, Germany)

Book a place and find out more here

See more events > Back to top >
 

book of the week

Living Spaces

In recognition of the shared challenge facing a range of professionals, RUDI, the newly formed Urban Intelligence Network and the Institute of Place Management (IPM) have put together a new publication with one key purpose:
to remind ourselves that even though things may currently be tough economically, our towns and cities have a bigger role in society than just providing us with a place to shop.
See more books > Back to top >
 

urbandesignjobs.com

For more jobs, go to UrbanDesignJobs.com
Back to top >
 

invite your colleagues to use RUDI

You can invite your colleagues to use the resource by logging in and going to 'my account' in the right hand column. Under membership type click on 'upgrade your account to corporate' and complete the details. You can then click on the invitation tab and send an email with login details to your colleagues.