Each week we are asking one member from each Working Group to share what they discussed at each meeting and plan to do for the next session. Here is the second Lifetimes Working Group overview:

Mechanisms that can affect change

• Mapping existing resources in order to join the dots and make visible the wealth of resources, culture, infrastructure that already exists in the city.

• We considered how to gather and map this data (e.g open source software such as Google Maps or Wikipedia that is open to all and allows the users to update and manage).

• How can we make this data visible and usable by all? A Winchester inventory was discussed that anyone can access. We also looked at what to include in this map, such as resources for people to use or organisations to share.

• We looked for common ground highlighting the consensus and any overlaps. We thought how this might look spatially such as the inter-generational use of space. What is good for a 3 year old might also be good for an 83 year old?

• We considered how different generations engage with technology and what strategies can be put in place to include all. This could include ideas around opening up city institutions and running courses for elderly people, encouraging ‘grey city tech’ events and local business acknowledging the elderly market.

• We were keen to think about the implicit or implied areas of the city and how to open up these subtle networks and weave in opportunity to play, grow, connect.

• Through this we considered the routes that connect work, home school and think about how those routes can become active spaces for play

>> The above two points can also relate to the idea of the 15 Minute City where everyone is able to meet most, if not all, of their needs within a short walk or bike ride from their home. Read more about this city model here.

• We discussed how people make place. The people are the city or rather ‘We Are Winchester’. Therefore, the design should be led by use – the city is a dance. How can we all dance more? You can read more about this concept by Jane Jacobs and Henri Lefebvre in ‘Rhthymanalysis’ where a city is not a thing but a process.

• We talked about extending the culture of the ‘Hat Fair’ and other festivals across the city 365 days a year, allowing people to take more ownership of public space.

• Lastly, we discussed co-creativity; the re- making of public space through shared practices. This is ‘open-ended’ design that allows people input into a process. It encourages evolution and is flexible enough to shift and change. For example, the High Street can be reinvented as a social space with increased ‘dwell’ time creating opportunity for business.

What’s next?

Going forward from here, the Lifetimes Working Group will look at delving more into these mechanisms and how they might play out for the future of Winchester.

Share your views on what you might like to see for Winchester in the comments box below and stay tuned for the next update from the Lifetimes Working Group next week! Don’t forget you can also join the conversation on social media, you can find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram