ALLIES OF THE COUNCIL

As accessible as social media is to the average citizen (especially younger ones) - reports, publications and A4 print media are equally as crucial for those in government positions making decisions. Presenting our research and findings in a medium familiar to what the council is used to will ultimately help better inform the stakeholders who decide how our public spaces are designed. Our information is gathered significantly through primary sources such as surveys and interviews, alongside secondary sources such as existing documents and conditions (which we analyse). Thus, our research can be categorised as alternative information - because it is not the typical data which is extrapolated from forums and online questionnaires on the council website. Patently, there are economic and social interests which the government prioritises - albeit, we believe there is more information which is ignored which could help better inform what is truly needed in our public spaces.

We are allies of the council. We work for the betterment of public spaces for all citizens. Thus, we are the median between the public and the government. Once we have an established relationship with the council, we hope to be commissioned for research and analysis on sites destined for urban planning. We want public space to be designed better - through finding out what the public wants in these spaces. Although there are mediums for the public to communicate with the government, these are often underutilised. Understandably, there are far too many concerns for council workers to be solely focusing on the design of public space, thus our niche can help both the council better understand the social fabric of the site and the citizens better communicate their tangible and intangible associations with the site.