The community holds an annual festival 'The Stuff of Life' in Hedley Villas Park and the surrounding cobbled streets are filled with live music, spoken word, crafts, children’s activities, delicious foods and a procession – all organised, performed and prepared by the local community. A unique community event with a special atmosphere that the whole family can enjoy.
Marmalade Lane is Cambridge’s first developer-led co-housing development. Marmalade Lane's shared spaces and communal facilities are designed to foster community spirit and sustainable living. It is a safe and spacious ‘intentional community’, that put residents’ wellbeing at the heart of the development. There are plenty of things to do together, the site sits on a pedestrianised lane where a swingball pole and football goalposts line the street encouraging outdoor activities. The great hall area is used for parties and for cooking and sharing meals. Image source: marmaladelane.co.uk (NGFP)
BedZED, in Hackbridge Sutton, South London, has gone down in history as the UK’s first large-scale, mixed-use sustainable community (homes, offices, college). It has been an inspiration for low-carbon, environmentally- friendly housing developments around the world. Neighbours come together for community events to grow and share food. The site comprises a community orchard and community garden and BedZED field has a community gym, allotment space and wildlife area. The site grows raspberries, herbs, salads, cabbage, beans and other produce, which is shared amongst residents. Image source: bioregional.com (NGFP).
5. Things to do together
Creating a good living environment is not just about providing excellent buildings, a beautiful productive and sustainable landscape, good schools, clean air and public transport, it is also about design that brings individuals together, creating a sense of community. Designing-in activities and spaces that encourage people to come together is key to tackling the growing scourge of social isolation which comes with both a human and financial cost. Inter-generational spaces can help create valuable relationships. Designers should also consider how cultural groups use outside space differently, and how their designs can help integrate different communities. A wonderful local example is Arkwright Community Gardens in The Meadows, which has a tandoor oven used every week by Afghan ladies, providing them with a truly authentic reminder of home. The delicious breads they make are enjoyed by the whole community, creating conversation and new friendships. Food and nature are wonderfully unifying. The simple act of being outside in a beautiful space is healing and it can encourage people to be both more active and mindful. Child obesity is one of the leading health problems in our city. Getting children involved in food growing and learning more about nature provides lifelong skills and a greater sense of connectivity. Research shows that children and young people are stimulated by the outdoors and experience and increase their self-belief, confidence, learning capacity, enthusiasm, communication, problem-solving skills and emotional well-being. Children with learning disabilities find nature transformative and calming.
Design Criteria
5.1 Create a platform or scheme to raise awareness regarding activities people could engage with, socially or individually, to use and maintain their urban edible landscapes. For example jam making, baking competition, soap making, tree planting, den building, living playhouse, etc.
5.2 Design-in planting schemes that encourage communal/social foraging and edible play.
5.3 Provide urban orchards with trees that have multiple purposes (nuts, fruits, flowers, etc.) and consider providing access and facilities for people to harvest the produce (e.g. cherry picker storage/access).