Freerunning regeneration

Recently I've been involved with a volunteer project which aims to get local teenagers in Gateshead to engage in the design of their local environment. This could subsequently lead towards successful regeneration of underdeveloped sites in Gateshead. The group, called Space Invaders, are led by recent architecture graduates who are part of the ArchiGRAD scheme, and the project itself "is part of NE-Generation and funded by Legacy Trust UK, an independent charity set up to create a lasting cultural and sporting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games across the UK."

During an event organised by the Space Invaders this weekend, I was intrigued by the amount of young people interested in street sports (skateboarding, freerunning, etc.) and yet most were disinterested in getting involved with youth groups and signing up to activities when amongst their friends.

Parkour/Freerunning in particular led me think about how Gateshead's youth are already involved with architecture, but in an unconventional way. It is a fluid and creative sport which builds spatial awareness and general athleticism, but it doesn't often gain support from local residents or police.

During discussions with Paul over a few drinks yesterday it struck me that an ever changing landscape could provide a stimulating, but contained environment for street sports. As long as it was cited centrally within the city, it would then provide a hub for the young people of Gateshead to come together and have an area that they feel they own and that they control. By linking this with digital input (such as mobile phone technologies, photos, etc,) and mechanics, the landscape could respond to their inputs.

Recently, I also visited the exhibition that Paul blogged about, Night on Breer, and the slow movement of the structures was very interesting.