Urban Youth Campus

Linking back to Sevenoaks park and the CCQOL research, graffiti and skateboarding are themes closely associated with ‘Anti-Social’ behaviour, with these activities even being illegal in some locations, meaning if caught this results in fines and possibly further prosecution. In retrospect Graffiti is categorised as an art form and Skateboarding is now officially an Olympic sport, yet a negative perception remains. Research suggests that the external environment can have an impact on anti-social behaviour and the opposite pro-social behaviour (environmental determinism), down to odour, density, noise and temperature having an impact.

Young people are the most common users of public spaces due to there being a lack of formal/legal spaces for them. A common feeling is the ‘lack a sense of belonging’, they just want to fit in but society doesn’t accept or create opportunities for that. They are often restricted to school facilities and leisure facilities for after school groups which are rarely accessible or affordable. With a cut in funding for youth groups, where do people expect the younger population to accumulate and ‘hang out’.

From previous survey results and analysis from this years ‘Love Grangetown’, there appeared to be a common theme of members of the community concerned about anti-social behaviour with the requirement for places and events to be provided for children and young people (CYP) to enable them to have prospects in the future. A place which is safe, dry and where they have freedom to express themselves, where they are respected by society is required. The UK and Wales has its own Youth Parliament and Youth councils, with the architecture of these spaces preventing ‘anti-social’ behaviour (e.g. anti-skating studs on the stairs to The Senedd’. My intervention proposes to repurpose Penarth Road, which is currently an industrial area of the city which is outdated. Its located close to the city centre. This is an ideal location in regards to transport and city links and is within the catchment area for the main comprehensive school for young people in Grangetown. There is the potential to create an urban youth campus, with facilities to actually accommodate the requirements for young people.

Using existing research I created my plan, but the proposition that young people would be involved in placemaking and the design. towards creating the first UK based ‘Child Friendly City’ in Cardiff, with Wales taking the initiative to cultivating a safe and vibrant space for the future generations. The whole scheme intends on improving the quality of life for local residents in Grangetown and the surrounding vicinity, whilst promoting the value of young people in the community.