Shape Newham
Shape Newham is a community and
artist led initiative that has delivered 18 public space projects in eight town
centres across Newham. It is about shaping Newham’s places, getting involved in
Newham’s decision making and getting to know your Newham neighbours!
‘Newham is a great place to live
and we want to make it better – people are at the heart of everything we do.’
Rokhsana Fiaz
OBE, Mayor of
Newham
The priorities, locations,
designers, and outcomes were each co-designed with local residents through 30
events, including assemblies, radio workshops, and a working group of local
residents. In 2019, local communities were invited to Shape Newham Assemblies to
determine the priorities and locations for projects in Beckton, East Ham,
Forest Gate, Green Street, Little Ilford, Manor Park, Maryland and Plaistow.
Groups of residents then formed Design
Committees at the start of 2020, to work with the council, architects
and local artists to develop project ideas further. The design proposals that
have been developed through Shape Newham Assemblies and Design Committee were completed in 2023.
The co-design process with the working group was particularly detailed, with three revisions of each design being discussed with residents local to the proposals, and their design changes reported back on in each of the three meetings. The process was also designed to create social value and trust alongside the physical improvements. This built support for the works in a positive, transparent and empowering structure.
The co-design process with the working group was particularly detailed, with three revisions of each design being discussed with residents local to the proposals, and their design changes reported back on in each of the three meetings. The process was also designed to create social value and trust alongside the physical improvements. This built support for the works in a positive, transparent and empowering structure.
The Shape Newham process is
designed to do 3 things:
Shape Newham has been supported by a £1.5m investment from Newham Council, and delivered by a team including AOC Architecture, Carver Haggard, Office S&M, Europa, Social Broadcasts and Local Works Studio. The project is specifically about physical ‘things’, such as murals, street furniture, pocket parks and artistic interventions to enhance local surroundings. These improvements will help create more attractive places for residents and help to support the high street, its businesses and the delivery of the Mayor’s Community Wealth Building agenda. For example, over 50% of the artists involved are local residents, and many of the projects are being made locally.
To learn more about the services we provide to obtain the best outcomes for our local authority clients, click here.
- To get residents talking to each
other and discussing local issues, to share ideas with neighbours and celebrate
local resources!
-
To get residents involved with the
council’s decision making and improve transparency with the council's
decisions.
-
To get residents shaping places by
developing the projects with designers and making decisions about the projects.
Shape Newham has been supported by a £1.5m investment from Newham Council, and delivered by a team including AOC Architecture, Carver Haggard, Office S&M, Europa, Social Broadcasts and Local Works Studio. The project is specifically about physical ‘things’, such as murals, street furniture, pocket parks and artistic interventions to enhance local surroundings. These improvements will help create more attractive places for residents and help to support the high street, its businesses and the delivery of the Mayor’s Community Wealth Building agenda. For example, over 50% of the artists involved are local residents, and many of the projects are being made locally.
To learn more about the services we provide to obtain the best outcomes for our local authority clients, click here.
Detail
Location: Newham, LondonProject: Rublic Realm
Client: London Borough of Newham
Completed: 2023
Team
AOC ArchitectureCarver Haggard
Europa
Social Broadcasts
Local Works Studio
Photographer: Luke O’Donovan