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Future Vision Student Awards
Do you see things differently? Future Vision is our student awards scheme that champions bright ideas for better places. It's open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students in the UK. We're looking to find ideas for better places to live, work and play . We aim to promote bold vision and inspirational ideas that are not only sustainable, but could be implemented in cities, towns and villages across the country.
Engaging Places
A project to make schools more aware of what can be achieved by engaging with local buildings, places and spaces. We are working with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), CABE and English Heritage to create a dynamic and strategic way forward to inspire schools. We aim to give schools clear routes and signposting to cultural and creative experiences and resources related to the built environment - and provide best practice models for embedding these experiences and resources within their school plans and curriculum.
Recruitment and careers promotion in place making
The research project involved a detailed review of recruitment practices in the place making sector and highlighted good practice in the promotion of careers and recruitment strategies for entry into relevant occupations and professional roles.
University of Salford launches Foundation Degree in Sustainable Communities
Employers and students have celebrated the launch of the University of Salford’s new Foundation Degree in Sustainable Communities. The part-time, one afternoon a week course covers a range of issues including regeneration, community safety, local economies and worklessness, sustainable design, governance and community engagement.
National accolade for Birmingham Architecture student
Anjna Farmah from Birmingham Institute of Art and Design is Women in Property's ‘Best of the Best’. Anjna who is a second year Architecture student is the winner of Women In Property’s National Student Awards 2009. She received her award at the Best of the Best Awards dinner at Claridge’s in London.
Architecture student wins Future Vision 09
James West, a student at the Manchester School of Architecture, has won the top prize at Future Vision 09. His idea – the Edible Terrace - is a sustainable interpretation of the Victorian terrace house. The self-sustaining living quarters are designed to reduce food miles and energy consumption and encourage urban food production and healthy eating. As well as overall winner, James won the Future Buildings category that singles out innovative ideas that can transform the way we design and build.
Leadership of Place award category
Category finalists CATEGORY WINNER: Green Horizons Housing, London Over the past decade, Green Horizons has been at the forefront of the regeneration of Edmonton Green in Enfield, contending with issues ranging from a high incidence of prostitution and drug dealing to anti-social behaviour and a poor physical environment.
Investing in Young People award category
Category finalists CATEGORY WINNER: Just 4 Youth by West Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Trust
Awards seek students’ vision for sustainable communities
We've launched our annual student award scheme to find bright ideas for better places for the third year. Future Vision 09 encourages students to ‘see things differently’ and submit ideas that could improve communities across the country. The scheme is targeted at UK undergraduates and postgraduates undertaking courses in, for example:
New website to help young people become active citizens
ASC and CSV (Community Service Volunteers) have developed an online toolkit that supports teachers to encourage pupils to play an active role in community projects. The Play your Part website includes ideas, resources, activities and teaching aids designed to raise awareness of sustainable communities, inspire young people to play a part in improving their communities and develop the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to devise and run successful citizen projects.
Ask What If? careers website
Ask: What If? is a national careers drive to target skills shortages across the sustainable communities sector. We launched the website www.askwhatif.co.uk in June 2007. Our research showed that young people demand straight, factual information and respect the views of their peers and those working in the professions. So we've created a distinct, thought-provoking careers programme, supported by our team of enthusiastic, expert ambassadors, which communicates with young people on their own terms.
Schools and sustainability
How can children be active agents of change? University of the West of England Barry Percy-Smith and Danny Burns With this project, we wanted to understand the role children and young people could play in promoting sustainable development. Key points Children have the potential to be active agents of change to promote sustainability lifestyle changes They can have an influence in the home and in the wider community However, their influence is limited to issues like recycling, energy and water saving, composting and food Learning needs to be practical and based around ‘real-life’ experience Schools can act as a focal point for sustainability issues in their communities.
Young people and conservation
How can you ensure everyone gets the most out of environmental volunteering? University of Exeter Dr Michael Leyshon and Dr Robert Fish With this research project, we set out to examine the extent and impact of young people’s participation in environmental conservation in rural areas. Key points Encouraging youth participation is not a problem, but the way activities are structured could be improved More emphasis needs to be put on community contribution and environmental care More opportunities for personal and social development need to be provided There should be more opportunities to gain formal accreditation for work Better training is needed for staff in environmental and youth support organisations
Living Geography
We have produced teaching and learning activities and materials, a CPD module and a DVD in conjunction with the Geographical Association (GA). The materials on the GA website are designed for teachers supporting young people aged from 11 to 16, and aim to provide the resources, ideas and inspiration students need to answer questions such as " Is my community aiming to be a sustainable one? " The DVD, Sustainable Communities: Places People Want? is available to buy from the Geographical Association at www.geography.org.uk/shop/shop_detail.asp?ID=559
Landscape architecture student has got vision
For the second year running, landscape architecture has stolen the show, with a student from Kingston University securing the top prize at Future Vision 08. Regine Elmenthaler came up with an idea to inject life into the Royal Docks in East London. Her vision - Revive the Docks - brings the community together by creating a series of floating docks that extend the existing landscape to make room for markets, gardens, homes, green space and even a beach. Reflecting the history of the site, Revive the Docks adds character and fun to an area that was once a hive of activity, creating fantastic places for residents, visitors and wildlife.
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