We are entering a world, where organisations have witnessed a profound change in the way concepts of business management are formed and disseminated. Suddenly a fusion of traditional methods and creative thinking, along with increased collaborative processes, are allowing more and more organisations to lead significant change, by engaging individuals in creative community led programmes, leading to personal fulfilment as well as economic growth. This is a new world of collective engagement; a brave new world, and one which is changing the entire fabric of what it means to be human.
This is a new world of collective engagement; a brave new world, and one which is changing the entire fabric of what it means to be human.
Recent studies have identified the necessity of strong social connections for economic success, and that the capacity of individuals to act together on matters of common interest is paramount to community health and well-being. In essence, the wisdom of crowds; the democratic process, is fundamental to the longevity of communities and societal progress.
When communities identify opportunities to come together in creation – and a celebration of such – both the individual and indeed the collective, witness the development of social capital through increased cooperation and identifying and addressing shared goals. Connections such as these, serve to benefit communities in a plethora of ways; from economic growth to health and well-being.
People and communities are finding new and ingenious ways to explore the notion of space; closing down urban stereotypes and breaking away from the traditional norms and shackles of design and planning. Public spaces have long been the building blocks of communities, from public houses and literary salons, to civic halls and marketplaces; space is the heartbeat of communities, and in that sense an evolution of public space is not only necessary but inevitable.
In recent times, the focus has laid predominantly on the design and build of space for aesthetic purpose, rather than social interaction. A renaissance of space for the purposes of community interaction and engagement, is now witnessing a synthesis of workplace and social space; showing to be more conducive to healthy communities.
A collaborative approach to space, strengthens the sense of ownership among communities and forms deeper connections to both the place and to each other. This is then reflected in how we consider productivity in work as well as our personal lives, with organisations now reconsidering all aspects of the work experience, by implementing more intuitive designs in the workplace and actively encouraging more flexible ways of working. Public space could and should be as fluid and dynamic as the individuals who seek to utilise it.
Pop-up shops, creative-led community projects, collectives and co-operatives are giving rise to a new age of planning and policy, that is feeding into both how we work and how we socialise. Architects, planners and engineers are now increasingly collaborating with artists, in the design and development of public space, as it becomes more evident that we are indeed the sum of all our parts, in an ever-increasing liquid modernity.