ROCHDALE PARTNERSHIP ACADEMY: SHAPING THE TOWN CENTRE
During the February half-term, we delivered a four-day programme as part of our Rochdale Partnership Academy. Generously sponsored by Rochdale Development Agency, we supported 37 young people from across the borough to feed into the town’s ambitious regeneration scheme.
Over the four days, participants heard from a range of professionals working in the built environment and discussed different careers and pathways within the sector. They were also given a fantastic guided tour of Rochdale town centre by Steph E., helping to ground ideas and conversations in the place itself.
Throughout the programme, we explored key themes, community needs and collective ideas, before designing new public spaces for multiple sites across the town centre in response to complex themed briefs. Young people were introduced to new concepts, including social value and masterplanning, and explored how these could be incorporated into their proposals.
Working across both 2D and 3D, participants developed and presented their vision for Rochdale town centre to their peers and a panel of experts, including Kevin Redhead of Planit, and Pete Courtie and Preena Mistry of Rochdale Development Agency.
We are so proud of this cohort for getting stuck in and contributing to the long-term plans for Rochdale town centre. Their ideas, creativity and professionalism made a huge impression on everyone supporting the programme.
All of the young people involved indicated that they would like to continue their PLACED Academy journey, so watch this space.
This project has been funded by Rochdale Borough Council’s Community Regeneration Partnership funding from the UK Government, administered by Rochdale Development Agency. It is also part of Rochdale’s boroughwide Place Partnership project with Arts Council England.
Thank you to Beena Nouri, Kelly Godfrey, Erika Murray, Georgia Gaucas-Pullan, Michelle Corcoran, Steph E., Lucy Langford, Georgina Bottomley, Georgina Geraghty, Sian Atherton, Michael A., Andreea Moanta, Kevin Redhead, Courtney White, Ian Trickett, Helen Thackray, Pete Courtie and Preena Mistry.
Photos by WEDGE Collective