A case worth studying

Getting young people actively engaged in the transformation of their communities into happy, thriving, sustainable places in which to live and work are the core aims of government policies on youth, on education and on regeneration.  Fundamental: Architectural Inclusion has been doing this for five years with a unique project: the Architecture Crew.

 

Click here to download:
Architecture Crew.pdf (3.94 MB)
(download)

The Architecture Crew is the first of its kind - a youth architecture forum that has led the field in sustained youth engagement in the built environment since its establishment in 2004.  Set up to provide teenagers in Newham in East London with the opportunity to come together and express their views about regeneration and as it affects their own borough, it has stimulated young people's interest in their environment and built the self-confidence they need to make their voice heard in their own community  - and listened to by professionals in the wider world of architecture and regeneration.

Although composed of 13-19 year olds, the Crew's professionalism and accumulated knowledge has given it a substantial and growing role in local, regional and national debates around regeneration and the way that local people should be consulted about changes to their environment.  The Architecture Crew provides a viable model and inspiration for developing 'architectural inclusion' youth projects across the country.

Fundamental commissioned me to write the case study, which you can download here.  If you want a hard copy of this beautifully illustrated and designed publication, write to Jane Leighton, Director, Fundamental: Architectural Inclusion, 379/381 High Street, London E15 4QZ or email jane@fundamental.uk.net.  You can also see more of Fundamental's work at www.fundamental.uk.net