Creative Infrastructure Lab #2 How can we shift the way we use the space between buildings?

The event was part of the In Certain Places The Expanded City Project. In Certain Places is a curatorial partnership based at the University of Central Lancashire, Preston. Since 2003, through interdisciplinary projects, they have worked with artists to question, test, disrupt and shape the places of Preston. Information from the Expanded City Website: The Expanded City is a three-stage project which investigates the changing nature of cities. During the last decade, urban development was largely concerned with transforming post-industrial city centres into retail and residential developments. However, projects such as Preston’s City Deal scheme – part of a national initiative to encourage economic growth in key cities across England – increasingly involve building cities from the outside in. Following an invitation by Preston City Council, In Certain Places – a creative research project at the University of Central Lancashire – has been working with a group of artists, writers and designers to critique and contribute to the scheme. The development includes the construction of over 17,000 houses on Preston’s rural fringes. Yet, whilst this has been supported by the building of new roads, the creation of social infrastructure has, so far, been lacking. With this in mind, the Creative Infrastructure Labs will explore the potential for the community-led development of social centres, play spaces, and cycling and walking routes. Through a series of online and on-the-ground activities, the labs will bring local residents together with urban decision-makers and creative professionals to study examples of successful projects from other places, nationally and internationally, and identify opportunities for creative infrastructure projects within the City Deal areas of Preston. Creative Infrastructure Lab Led By Emily Speed Wednesday 23rd September, 2020 ᛫ 6-7 pm Join us for an online conversation between artist Emily Speed, architect Akiko Kobayashi and artists Rebecca Davis & Anna Francis (The Portland Inn Project), exploring community generated approaches and responses to the use of the public spaces where we live