‘Connective Social Infrastructure’ is a new report commissioned through the Mayor’s Good Growth by Design programme. It presents new research into how social integration can be supported, and sets out how those involved in policymaking and the delivery of social infrastructure can recognise, plan for, protect and develop vital social spaces.
The inquiry presents on-the-ground research, case studies and thought leadership from industry experts to provide insights into how social integration can be supported through social infrastructure. The following blog post outlines three of the report’s key principles.
Local social infrastructure ecosystems must be understood
Social infrastructure cannot be understood solely as places and services. The relational aspects - how people use places and give them purpose – is critical. The inquiry has identified the importance of understanding how successful social spaces depend on the individuals or groups that give them meaning. The social ties and support networks within a community become as vital to the resilience of a place as the facilities provided. The role of individual spaces, links between groups, and needs and expectations for social infrastructure are specific to each neighbourhood.
‘Social infrastructure only really comes into existence when activated or occupied. A new community hub is just some space with a lid on it and a jolly-coloured floor without the meetings that take place there, the cups of tea that are stirred in the kitchen and passed through the hatch, or the information that is pinned to the noticeboard or Facebook page.’ – Daisy Froud, Mayor’s Design Advocate
For example, The Lions Society is a network of barbers in Croydon who use informal social infrastructure – barbers' shops - to provide mentoring and support to help young people move away from involvement in knife crime.
Facilitating social integration
A sense of community ownership can boost social integration in a space or facility. The design of social infrastructure, especially when the process is genuinely inclusive, can be a powerful facilitator of social integration. We need to create opportunities for all parts of the community to participate.
‘This potential renaissance of social infrastructure requires designers with a diverse set of skills - to understand how to work with communities, how to enable communities to design, to understand how spaces can be robust, practical, and flexible, and above all to create shared spaces full of beauty, vitality and meaning.’ – Adam Khan, Mayor’s Design Advocate
For example, Friendly Families Nursery in Deptford uses a parent-led, co-operative model of childcare. Both children and parents were actively involved in every stage of creating the childcare setting, from setting project ambitions to designing furniture and play equipment for the space, to building and decorating.
Embedding social value in new developments
There are diverse approaches to the ways that social infrastructure is addressed in local policy, and the type and amount of evidence gathered on local needs. When social integration is not considered in decision making, planning and design, there is a risk that valuable local strength, through existing assets or networks are lost through redevelopment.
‘We need to balance the important need for homes with the equally important need for places for all residents to meet, interact and grow together. Only by thinking about these things collectively can we really create Good Growth.’ – Hilary Satchwell, Mayor’s Design Advocate
For example, Bourne Estate, Camden. The redevelopment of the Bourne Estate by Matthew Lloyd Architects with Tibbalds, added new dwellings to an estate that already had an established group of residents and a strong sense of community. The Tenants and Residents’ Community Hall was relocated to a more prominent position, opening to a semi-public play and community space and creating a welcoming, secure and accessible facility for all residents to use, allowing new and existing residents to come together.