Gascoigne Residents’ Forum

Urban Symbiotics supported Be First in the establishment of its first resident forum in 2020.
The team started by supporting the call-out process through the production of a participant
survey and follow up 1-2-1 interviews and helped develop the initial ToR. Over the last year
Urban Symbiotics has developed bespoke material, presented and chaired a capacity building programme that allowed Urban Symbiotics to facilitate a successful co-creation programme.

The co-creation programme witnessed the GRF co-design their local community centre with architects Fisher Cheng and contribute to the design of their public realm with architects HTA. One of the Forums latest projects has been the development and launch of a pocket park with the landscape firm Fabrik and the main contractor Waites. A recent survey of GRF members proved that they felt empowered by the capacity building process and as a result could actively support the shaping of their own community. Urban Symbiotics is currently
working with Be First to support the future development of the forum and practice of utilising community forums within the Be First regeneration and development model.

Due to the success GRF Urban symbiotics has been commissioned by Be First to establish a borough wide community advisory board to inform the future development within Barking and Dagenham starting with the community led visioning of the “Be First” ideal home programme.

ClientBe FirstLocationBarking, London, UKServicesCo-design, Co-buildYear2021 AccoladesNLA 2021 - Shortlisted in the MEANWHILE categoryCollaboratorsFabrik, Waites, Be First