How can land really be the best art? People as the catalysts for lasting change

Workshop leader: Polly Moseley

Workshop description:

The workshop will use an example of a specific place in Liverpool, which has been subject to a series of failed regeneration schemes and false promises, to air how place-making can optimise and transform social, natural and cultural capital. Since 2009, Everton Park has elicited a wide range of proposals and plans, some of which have come to fruition, many of which have not. Ownership/Stewardship of this ‘public space’ is still contested. Arts projects include: a foraging circle and a skate park commissioned by Liverpool Biennial, a short stop by Royal de Luxe’s street theatre show, a proposal for a sky-pier visitor attraction, and a flagship wildflower project. Much has been done from a heritage standpoint to recall and honour the social history of the area, which was a series of villages in the not-so-distant past. Now there is an opportunity to re-draw civic maps with more connectivity and to start co-producing some DIY architectural projects with the community.
Who is it for?

Arts activists, cultural organisations, urbanists and producers who are passionate about optimising contested public space for health, wellbeing and sustainable development.

What are the aims?

To spark thought about natural assets in urban settings and how green and blue infrastructure can alter people’s sense of place and connection to the land; consider how new technologies can accelerate and realise co-design and co-creation of products which change people’s experience of their area and share innovative, sustainable models of sustainable community investment.