Applications open for CABE Space design skills scholarships

Applications are now open for CABE Space’s annual design skills scholarship programme. CABE Space is offering up to six people the opportunity to travel abroad and around the UK to learn how well-designed spaces can benefit the communities they serve.  

The scholarships are designed to inject design awareness into the professions that create and manage urban public space. The grants are available for people without design training who want to learn more about the effect good design can have on our streets and highways, parks and green spaces and public squares and neighbourhoods.

Successful scholars will visit examples of well-designed public spaces, gain an understanding of their delivery and management, and learn how similar ideas can be developed through their work.  

Applications for the 2010 scholarships are opening just as this year’s scholars return from their visits to Europe, the USA, Canada and around the UK. Their studies included an exploration of community gardens, how better designed public spaces can help deliver cultural and creative learning for children and the impact well-designed green space can have on social housing schemes.

Noel Murphy, a Landscape Manager from the North West visited best practice social housing schemes in Holland, Sweden, and Denmark. He explored how the design and use of green places contributes to a better sense of place and cohesion. He said:

“I saw some great ideas that could easily be adopted in England where shared green spaces brought communities together. From public art to fruit and vegetable growing and sustainable solutions for collecting and recycling rain water, each project generated a tremendous sense of place and belonging. I’m looking forward to drawing on the good practice examples I’ve seen in my work at home."

Sarah Gaventa, Director of CABE Space, said:

‘Good design should be at the heart of our public spaces. For two years running now, CABE Space design skills scholars have returned to their jobs armed with fresh insight and new skills.

‘I’d like to encourage anyone who works in improving and managing the public realm but has no formal design training to make the most of this invaluable study opportunity and learn from best practice examples - both here in the UK and abroad.’

Scholarships will be made in the form of grants designed to cover travel and living expenses for a period of approximately six weeks. Applicants will propose their own study programme which they will then be able to develop with the help of a CABE Space mentor.

Notes to Editors

• Applications can be made online by visiting www.cabe.org.uk/scholarships. The closing date is November 13th 2009 at 5pm.  Shortlisted candidates will be called for interview in December.
• Applications are welcomed from those who work in the following areas: urban streets; highways and public squares; urban parks and green spaces; public space design for disabled people and those with other access issues; public space projects delivered by or working with local communities, and public spaces in social housing developments.
• CABE is the government’s advisor on architecture, urban design and public space. As a public body, we encourage policymakers to create places that work for people. We help local planners apply national design policy and offer expert advice to developers and architects. We show public sector clients how to commission buildings that meet the needs of their users. And we seek to inspire the public to demand more from their buildings and spaces. Advising, influencing and inspiring, we work to create well-designed, welcoming places. www.cabe.org.uk
• CABE Space is a unit within CABE aiming to bring excellence to the design, management and maintenance of parks and public space in our towns and cities.