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After months of intensive collaboration with software developers Slider Studio, we can now announce the launch of our latest development in community consultation innovation. On behalf of Birmingham City Council and Urban Living we’ve created a 3D software platform for the Lozells neighbourhood that allows residents to see the latest proposals for the area by the city’s urban design team; then send feedback and chat with other residents and project team members.

The options can be viewed from above or from street level with the ability to switch between proposals from any point, helping the viewer make comparisons. It can be used both as an offline tool at venues without an internet connection and also online from home, outside of the usual time/location constraints for consultation events. The online option allows us to update the proposals as the project progresses and demonstrate the impact of the feedback we receive. Hopefully this project will provide a platform that Birmingham City Council can continue to deploy in future projects, commissioning 3D information to use in the software and for the creation of rapid protoyped models to use at public events.

Visit the project web site and download the software at: http://vision-lozells.org

 *UPDATE: You can also see video footage of the software being used for the first time at a recent event by visiting the Lozells News web site. *

We recently took part in the be2camp ‘unconference’ in London. The aim of the day was to discuss and share ideas about how ‘web 2.0′ or social media tools on the internet can be used by the built environment.

Along with Micheal Kohn from Slider Studio we presented our first images on the development work we’re doing to create a virtual consultation tool that will allow residents to see the proposals for their neighbourhood in 3D. Users of the software will be able to walk around a model of their streets, see options and comment on the ideas.

The be2camp  event was a huge success and we’re looking forward to developing a similar forum in the Midlands.

A video presentation and a copy of the slides are available on the be2camp web page.

For the last few months we’ve been working on a project to refurbish 6 terrace properties in Newcastle-Under-Lyme. We won the project after a competitive bid last summer and last week saw the launch of the public web site charting the progress of the work. We’ll be recording the project on the eocterrace web site using a number of blogging techniques such as a written diary, a phonecam blog, flickr images and del.icio.us links.

http://ecoterrace.co.uk

The goal is to substantially increase the environmental performance of the properties and help take part in the progress of the national debate about the importance of improving the quality of the country’s existing housing stock.

One of the most interesting aspects of the project will be the post-occupancy monitoring work we will be completing in collaboration with the guys from Hockerton Housing Projects. In a couple of years time we will hopefully have something valuable to say about the actual results of some of the design techniques and products, as well as an understanding of what it’s like to live in a property like this.

A summary document outlining the work completed in Blurton and Normacot using online consultation techniques is now available. We will make some computers available for people to explore the sites during their visit on ‘Open Practice’ day.

Click here to download the PDF document.

Here’s an excerpt from the document:

By including the use of the internet we were able to increase the numbers of consultations, ensure that the process was as transparent as possible and provide another opportunity for hard to reach groups to view the proposals. Although the level of computer ownership in the area is unknown, our view is that as the cost of computer hardware continues to tumble it is incumbent on us to begin to explore online consultation techniques.

Normacot, Stoke on Trent, 2005—present

Axis Design were appointed by Beth Johnson Group to undertake a consultation and masterplanning role for General Renewal Area of approximately 200 households.

Alongside the standard methods of enquiry we provided a basic web site using ‘off-the-shelf’ IT solutions to enhance the reach of the consultation process.

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Blurton, Stoke on Trent, 2005—present

Axis Design were appointed by Aspire Housing to provide consultation and masterplanning services for an estate of approximately 3500 households.

Alongside the standard methods of enquiry we provided a custom built web site to enhance the reach of the consultation process.

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Coalville, Stoke on Trent, 2004—present

Axis design were appointed by the Coalville Partnership in January 2004 after winning the competitive tender for the remodelling of the estate consisting of 400 coal board houses dating from the 1950’s.

Axis undertook a programme of intensive community consultation with local residents which included setting up a dedicated residents website and running a neighbourhood office on the estate, along with open days and regular newsletters.

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