The community design process
The Community Design process typically takes from 8 months to over a year and consists of many different meetings and events.
Design layout workshops
The initial design workshops are held to give everyone an opportunity to express themselves and share ideas with each other. Introductory sessions on the basics of traffic calming methods are help to provide residents with no previous background in urban design the dialogue necessary to get involved.
Street trials
Street trials can be carried out by closing the street and marking out the layout with chalk, traffic cones and straw bales. These interactive trials are crucial in giving a much clearer picture of the proposals and allow alterations to the design to be made "on the spot".
Additional meetings
Once the street layout design has been agreed upon additional meetings can be organised as appropriate on issues such as safety (in relation to crime rather than health), suitable tree and plant species and how to involve children in the project.
Detailed design meetings
Once the street layout design has been agreed upon the next stage is to decide on the details (type of street surface, species of tree or colour of bollard etc).
Artistic design
Another option to working up the detailed design is to work with an artist who can help develop the agreed layout into something much more interesting, attractive and unique. Residents get involved in this by writing the artists brief, short listing the applicants, sitting on the interview panel, exploring the history of the area and feasible proposals, forming a constituted residents group and contributing to writing up and signing off a further funding bid (if required).
Street parties or social functions
These are a great way to get everyone together; to share ideas and celebrate progress and utilise the street (perhaps for the first time) as a social venue rather than as a thoroughfare.
For more information on all aspects of the DIY Streets approach please see the full toolkit on Creating your own DIY Street.
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