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Centre for Urban Sustainability

Westway Trust has engaged with architects and potential stakeholders to develop a proposal for a 'Centre for Urban Sustainability' on the footprint of the former Maxilla Nursery.

Responding to the Climate Crisis

A centre for Urban Sustainability would be the first of its kind in the UK. We instinctively know that we are in the midst of not only a Climate Change crisis but a Biodiversity crisis. If the UK is to play its part in national targets, we cannot rely on urban populations being able to afford the time and money to travel miles to learn about new ideas or establish the new behaviours that will be required to address these challenges. This engagement has to happen where they are, in Cities. We also know that the demographic of those with a voice in the current climate debate is largely White and largely middle class. The Black and Brown urban populations are not being enabled to engage in the same way, yet the impact of poor environment indicators affects urban populations disproportionately. Urban populations are often the ‘elastic’ in the globalization or gentrification process. This Centre needs to put local communities at the centre. With the impacts that systemic discrimination and other pressures faced by disadvantaged populations (despite talent and resilience,) more needs to be done to enable preventive care and improve well-being (mental and physical health) outcomes. As there is a shift in our economy, there will be a need for more ‘Green Jobs’. Although there is no definition of what this term means, it does mean that training for this opportunity must take place in urban centres. These jobs will provide employment in new industries. It is vital that local people can take advantage of these new opportunities to increase their life chances. In other words, sustain themselves and their heritage, culture and communities. The Centre for Urban Sustainability is imagined as a hub where these narratives can come alive. From early years to older age, it will be a place to learn and share messages around well-being for people and for the environment. In order for the communities around us to see themselves as part of this picture; as a gardener; an eco-based business; a mental health provider; a training provider with a focus on environmental jobs; a small scale entrepreneur; a parent wanting to learn about healthy eating; a small child wanting to participate in healthy living with their peer group; the Centre for Urban Sustainability can be a hub where they will find a point to engage.

Strategic Connections and Benefits

A Centre for Urban Sustainability will have the floor space and the capacity to:

Benefit our local communities by making more usable space.
Extend engagement with the issues of the Climate crisis and Biodiversity challenge
Deliver health benefits – particularly around mental health.
Train people for future employment and opportunities in the green economy.
Spread key environmental messages and presents innovative solutions.
Provide opportunities to assemble and learn.
Support collaborative working and partnership working already emerging in the Borough.

Elements of the Design

The Centre for Urban Sustainability has been designed to include a number of elements, where we know there is purpose-built:

Classroom facilities that offer a ‘healthy living’ experience to children and their families from a young age. The RBKC Children’s and Families planning documents identify a need for more nursery places. 2. This site acknowledges the history of the old Maxilla Nursery, the challenge for us will be to make the spaces affordable.
Exhibition and Community Event Space. A double-height space where community groups can meet and run their own events.
A community kitchen where people could attend sessions to learn about healthy eating, or where local healthy eating start-ups might find preparation time and a place to experiment with and promote ‘fusion food’ generated by our unique level of diversity. There are fewer than 5 kitchens available for community use and early stage business development within a 0.5 mile radius, and one of those is an adapted domestic kitchen.
Training rooms. We know that between now and 2030, 250,000 new jobs will be required in a new green economy. These rooms will be for personal and professional development. We know this is a key element in the future planning for employment, particularly within the Lancaster West Estate and Silchester Estate future Neighbourhood planning.
Well-being studios where health and well-being practitioners may choose to locate.
Workspaces where groups associated with building positive mental health solutions and/or green start-ups may locate.
Organisations that are working to improve energy efficiencyor promote greener energy may locate. We need these businesses in the area to encourage knowledge transfer and share new ideas with our communities.
A small number of studios where artists who are working with relevant themes or practice could be located.
An exhibition space. This is one of the consistent messages that has come from our consultation with Artists.
A hub for the Forest Schools network. At present the Forest Schools use the Forest Garden, but it currently has limited suitability.
A community Greenhouse for growing and events.
A garden area to provide outside space to show case innovative solutions to growing challenges and an area where visitors can relax.
Our aim is for this project to be Carbon Net Zero.