The Hammersmith Study Group is a multidisciplinary team which aims to follow up existing concepts of public participation in the planning process, while suggesting and implementing some new techniques in presentation.

The group evolved from the concept that educational institutions, such as schools of architecture and planning, should become involved in the planning of communities around them. The team is drawn from the staff and the students at the Architectural Association, the departments of architecture, town planning, traffic engineering, sociology and photography at the Regent Street Polytechnic and University College of London Planning School.  Several practising architects and planners are also involved. The group are also co-operating with the local authority. The first three years of the Polytechnic School of Architecture have taken Hammersmith as a theme study, basing various programmes on planning and architectural problems in the borough.

The proposed West Cross route

The group has four main themes of study.  First, the implications of the West Cross Route in visual environmental and social terms. Secondly the definition of environmental goals for the residential communities of the borough, following a survey to establish the limits of these communities. Linked to this is a survey of what people feel is lacking in their immediate environments and how they would like it to be changed.  Thirdly a study of the conservation areas in the borough considering the designation of their boundaries and the definition of a brief for proposed conservation committees; these committees would work with residents associations to improve and safeguard these areas Fourthly, the recreational potential of the borough in terms of open space, the riverside and the Grand Union Canal. The group does not intend to present alternative strategies for all the planning problems of the borough, rather we aim to establish goals within the areas outlined above, stating the alternatives as we see them.

Surveying residents

Our intention as previously stated is to develop the existing concepts of public participation, as outlined in the Skeffington Report on that subject. The report recommends that public consultation although continuous should be concentrated at two points in the planning process; when the alternative strategies and goals have been defines, and when the borough has made a decision between these alternatives.

The results of these consultations must be well published and clearly presented using all the available media, as well as public meetings, posters and hand-outs. Clear publicity will help educate about the planning process.  Community forums should be established within which local organisations would prepare statements describing the present conditions, problems and needs in each area as Seen by resident’s groups.  On submission to the local authority they would form the basis of a continuous dialogue about proposals and implementation. The forum would work closely with a community development officer who would stimulate discussion, liaise with resident groups and act as a catalyst of public opinion. The group will communicate the four themes of study as far as possible in the light of  those recommendations. For example we want to get as much information from the residents as possible during the surveys Any proposals that the group make will be communicated to as many resident groups as possible during the study period in order to use their comments and suggestions.  The sociologist team is carrying out a survey of an area containing 1400 people in the vicinity of Parsons Green, questioning a ten percent sample.  The aim is to establish what they feel is lacking in their local environment.  The computer service at the polytechnic will to used to help analyse the results and from these studies definite proposals will be made.

Exhibition Design

A film group are studying the effects of large scale physical changes of the neighbourhood on the residents and is altering with local schools and communities.  The resulting film study will be shown in as many schools and other meetings in the borough as is possible.

Coinciding with general publicity of the groups proposals in June, an exhibition will travel around the borough for at least a week. All interested visitors will be asked to leave their name and address so that following the exhibition a series of discussions could be held by the group with the public.  These discussions should lead to establishment of a number of groups in the borough who would become the basis of a community forum.

1. 

   The Hammersmith Study Group – Press Release (original)

   The group are to participate in planning of Hammersmith Borough, and to suggest new techniques.

2. The group is multi disciplined drawing from three organisations and five disciplines, two professions (architecture and planning) and co-operating with the local authority.
3. The group has four themes of study:
   1. The implications of the West Cross Route.
   2. Definition of environmental goals for residential communities.
   3. Conservation areas.
   4. The recreational potential.
4. The group will present goals in environmental terms rather than complete strategies.
5. The group will follow the recommendations of the Skeffington Report in terms of communication and publicity.
6. The group intends to continuously consult the public during the study period, and with publicity and a travelling exhibition in June; this will be followed with meetings with the public and organisations in the borough. the basis of the proposed community forum should then emerge.

Editors Note

The four these studies will be presented as self contained studies in press releases prior to and during the exhibition period in June. They will contain proposals, a report of studies carried out, and accompanying maps, photographs and diagrams.

The Hammersmith Study Group sending s photograph of the amazing ‘Concedesio’ structure which will house the travelling exhibition. It is being used in Bristol at the present moment as part of the arts festival.