Urban derelict land should be transformed for the community

10.46.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 8th Jul 2008

Derelict land in urban areas should be transformed to meet the need for more quality public spaces that foster community bonds and reduce anti-social behaviour, Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg said at an event hosted by the think-tank Demos.

Speaking at the Southwark Lido, a project that transformed a piece of undeveloped land for use by the local community, Nick Clegg will speak about the importance of changing the settings in which politics is conducted to make it more engaging and responsive.

Nick Clegg said "Shared space is vital in fostering the bonds that create happy communities."

"But when there's no clear ownership, the danger is that these spaces become dominated by anti-social behaviour. And people retreat into their private space instead. Public spaces that are open to all - like parks and shopping areas - need careful design."

"Our focus should not just be on grand public spaces with beautiful public art - valuable though they can be. Design also has the potential to bring together small groups of people to create definable, cohesive communities. Through shared gardens, shared play areas, or even just a shared alleyway.

Calling for communities to be more involved in transforming public spaces Nick Clegg said "It's because our physical experience of the world is so shaped by the built environment that people get so passionate about new development, even if that passion is often directed to opposing the granting of planning permission.

"But consultation exercises are not enough. Especially if they are ignored."

"There is nothing more destructive to people's faith in politics than to have their views sought, and then overruled. That's why I'm so excited about the development of participatory planning."

"Not just coming up with an idea and asking communities if they like it. But actually engaging them at an early stage in developing the whole concept of what is to be built, and how it will work."

"People have lost faith that they can influence the world around them. Giving them the tools not only to influence but to shape the physical space around them is the perfect antidote to this loss of power."

"A physical reminder, encountered every day, that you as an individual can change, and have changed, the world. In the same way that an unwelcome new development would be a constant physical reminder that you as an individual have been ignored."

"Participatory planning shouldn't be a special process, rolled out for flagship developments alone. It should be part and parcel of the basic structure of our planning system."