ABSTRACT
We had reached that stage of the programme when we were ready for planning. As our agenda for the day, we set out some of the recurring themes that had been identified from our surveys and mapping of needs and aspirations and started a discussion with everyone about next steps. We started with aspirations before we searched for catalysts to get it all going. One of the recurring aspirations, but without much specification, was the desire to make it all a ‘good neighbourhood’. In our discussions of what this might mean, we had the usual wish lists, a summary of ideals from some of the maps: improved facilities, usable open space, accessible streets, a market place, affordable and improved standards for housing, more trees, playgrounds, clean water, toilets for all, more jobs and the rest. Then someone said ‘A good neighbourhood is a wonderful place to grow up in.’ 1 This statement was about quality of life and wellbeing. This would be determined partly by the wish lists offered by others, partly also by the spatial and physical arrangement of places and significantly by the way in which place would make space for social development, for building community and a sense of neighbourhood belonging.
