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Young to help shape estate
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| Left to right, Becky Kiddle, Prof Georgia Butiwa Watson, the Rev Patrick Mukholi and Prof Ian Bentley want teenagers to get involved in shaping Blackbird Leys' future |
Teenagers in Oxford have been invited to learn computer skills which will help them to shape the future design of their estate.
The Leys Remix Project aims to get 25 people, aged 14 to 18, involved in a year-long training course dedicated to improving public spaces in Blackbird Leys.
Representatives of Oxford Brookes University and Oxford Youth Works, a Christian youth organisation, have promised to teach the teenagers how to use computer design systems.
Once they have learned the basics of three-dimensional design, they will be able to develop ideas to put to councillors about how best to improve rundown public spaces on the estate, the organisers said.
Youth worker the Rev Patrick Mukholi said: "The idea is to help young people to think about their environment and then equip them with various ways they can redesign where they live.
"Ultimately they may be able to lobby authorities to change or enhance that environment.
"For instance, we have a skate park here which is not used much because it's very badly designed. There are also many alleys we have which have lots of litter and aren't good to walk along - especially when you're on your own."
Young people who sign up to the course will be taken on at least one international visit, to see an area where young people have been involved in improvement projects.
They will be trained using computer facilities at the university, which is running the project in conjunction with Oxford Youth Works, funded by a £70,000 grant from UrbanBuzz - a programme to help community projects.
Ian Bentley, professor of urban design at Oxford Brookes, said: "The problem is that professionals see themselves as experts, but they do not see the need for experts who are living in places like Blackbird Leys.
"Our project is about training young people to help develop their confidence, to articulate their experience of living in places like Blackbird Leys.
"It's very important for young people to have a voice in the future of the places where they live."
Becky Kiddle, 31, a PhD urban design student, from Pegasus Road, who is involved in the project, said: "I think there's a real need for young people to have an authentic say in what happens in their environment."
Anyone interested in signing up for the Leys Remix Project can meet the organisers in the Leys Linx Centre, in Blackbird Leys Road, from 11am tomorrow.
5:09pm Friday 28th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: alan page on 11:10am Sat 29 Mar 08
Absolutely right. Also by gaining computer skills they will improve their literacy skills and gain more confidence in those areas as well.
The world is your oyster guys, don't let the bastards tell you otherwise!!
Absolutely right. Also by gaining computer skills they will improve their literacy skills and gain more confidence in those areas as well.
The world is your oyster guys, don't let the bastards tell you otherwise!!
Posted by: Joe, Marston Road on 4:33pm Sat 29 Mar 08
Yet [bold]another[/bold] pioneering scheme to soak up taxpayers revenue.
Calling alan page!!!!!!
Sign up at 11am tomorrow; they will not be out of bed by then!
Throw [bold]more[/bold] public money at BBL.
Yet
another pioneering scheme to soak up taxpayers revenue.
Calling alan page!!!!!!
Sign up at 11am tomorrow; they will not be out of bed by then!
Throw
more public money at BBL.
Posted by: Win, New Zealand on 7:58pm Sat 29 Mar 08
A possible reason for [italic]possible[/italic] non involvement is the environment in which people live - lack of facilities and the poor design of the place fail to enhance a sense of community. The project focusses on identifying how changes can be made with the input of local youth to enhance community liveliness and ultimately livelihood so that people are motivated and encouraged. Another reason for a possible lack of response are the 'knockers' who belittle and demean others without offering alternatives. SO OK Joe - what would you suggest? [and don't we all benefit from taxpayer money in one way or another?] Mind you if I were the project organisers your comments could be a useful motivator.
A possible reason for
possible non involvement is the environment in which people live - lack of facilities and the poor design of the place fail to enhance a sense of community. The project focusses on identifying how changes can be made with the input of local youth to enhance community liveliness and ultimately livelihood so that people are motivated and encouraged. Another reason for a possible lack of response are the 'knockers' who belittle and demean others without offering alternatives. SO OK Joe - what would you suggest? Mind you if I were the project organisers your comments could be a useful motivator.
Posted by: Joe, Marston Road on 12:47pm Sun 30 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Win[/bold] wrote:
A possible reason for [italic]possible[/italic] non involvement is the environment in which people live - lack of facilities and the poor design of the place fail to enhance a sense of community. The project focusses on identifying how changes can be made with the input of local youth to enhance community liveliness and ultimately livelihood so that people are motivated and encouraged. Another reason for a possible lack of response are the 'knockers' who belittle and demean others without offering alternatives. SO OK Joe - what would you suggest? [and don't we all benefit from taxpayer money in one way or another?] Mind you if I were the project organisers your comments could be a useful motivator.[/quote] Your points are accepted and taken on board with much consideration.
Sorry to say this is BBL. Waste of time money and effort.
Money has been thrown at this den of iniquity and nothing positive has ever been shown.
Countless pioneering projects have been created to try and motivate the residents; If there are not drugs or drink at the end of it the residents are not interested. It may lead to them getting a job! God forbid!
Good luck with your thoughts for the future!
Alternatives. Move away from BBL.
I am not knocking at BBL; just stating the very long running and highly obvious truth about the estate.
Win wrote:
A possible reason for possible non involvement is the environment in which people live - lack of facilities and the poor design of the place fail to enhance a sense of community. The project focusses on identifying how changes can be made with the input of local youth to enhance community liveliness and ultimately livelihood so that people are motivated and encouraged. Another reason for a possible lack of response are the 'knockers' who belittle and demean others without offering alternatives. SO OK Joe - what would you suggest? Mind you if I were the project organisers your comments could be a useful motivator.
Your points are accepted and taken on board with much consideration.
Sorry to say this is BBL. Waste of time money and effort.
Money has been thrown at this den of iniquity and nothing positive has ever been shown.
Countless pioneering projects have been created to try and motivate the residents; If there are not drugs or drink at the end of it the residents are not interested. It may lead to them getting a job! God forbid!
Good luck with your thoughts for the future!
Alternatives. Move away from BBL.
I am not knocking at BBL; just stating the very long running and highly obvious truth about the estate.
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