Urban Symbiotics : Community engagement and co-designed placemaking

In 2022 Urban Symbiotics won a Thornton Education Trust Inspire Future Generation Award (IFG) for youth community engagement as part of a co-designed Swaffham High Street Heritage Action Zone, as part of its Town Centre Masterplan for Historic England. Urban Symbiotics is a pioneer of bespoke user-centric, multi-disciplinary placemaking, architecture and urban design, exploring the innovative use of insight, engagement and codesign supporting social value.
In a talk illuminated by case studies across the UK and globally, Urban Symbiotics’ founder Stephanie Edwards will discuss the practice’s approach developed by her and her cofounder, product designer James Stewart.
Influenced 'by the world of product design, where the user is placed front and centre in the creation of human environments, Urban Symbiotics engages with community members and stakeholders on formulating the brief, particularly with those under-served such as younger and diverse community members. It seeks their insight in identifying their needs, continuing to engage with them to help develop concepts and validate solutions. The impacts are as diverse and inclusive as approaches taken, and include enhanced social cohesion, opportunities for bespoke and adaptable places and programming, enhanced mobility, increased community agency and reduced client costs.