Date: 20th September, 5.30 – 7.30pm
Location: Exeter City Futures, Ground Floor, Broadwalk House, Southernhay West, Exeter, EX1 1TS
Exeter City Futures’ Connect events are an opportunity to share ideas on the big problems that they believe Exeter needs to solve as it transitions towards becoming energy independent and congestion free. Whether a resident, educator, council officer, entrepreneur, business, community group, organisation or local authority, they are looking for people who have a challenge that they believe needs to be solved, people who want to stimulate ideas and generate inputs to help get it solved.
Autumn Connect offered individuals, groups, organisations the opportunity to come together and exchange ideas, to discover like-minded people and groups who want to solve similar problems. It was an opportunity to listen and take part in conversations, to make new connections where expertise and skills can be shared and collaborations can flourish, to create positive change in the Exeter region.
I presented my developing vision for a programme of art in St Loyes, in east Exeter, aimed at nurturing a sense of place and building community.
In my 5 minute slot, I focused on tranquility and subversion… What makes a space tranquil? A space can still be relatively tranquil in the midst of an industrial estate, and used by people on their break. How can these spaces be improved? In an area dominated by the car, how are people on foot and bike subverting urban design? What knowledge do people hold about unexpected use of space, such as where to park campervans or pick blackberries?
I asked how the processes and outputs could contribute to addressing the Exeter City Futures challenges, and how the programme could make use of ECF outputs such as #TranquilCityExeter.
It was a great opportunity to enthuse folk and connect with people from City Futures, Devon County Council, and other organisations in the city. I appear to be the poster girl for the event!
