Revisiting the Ebbsfleet Design Competition 2019
Walking through Ebbsfleet on our recent study tour and picking up the community engagement flyers at the train station reminded us of the landscape competition entry we submitted back in 2019. Our entry focused on how a series of events could bring together and engage a very broad residents group, and connect the new residents moving into Ebbsfleet with the history of Ebbsfleet and the existing communities at Northfleet.
Our proposal was not a conclusion, nor a final resolution. We resisted a grand design. Instead, our intention was to reframe Ebbsfleet and its identity for the new and existing communities and encourage residents explore and value this unique place. ‘The Ebbsfleet Agenda’.
The Ebbsfleet Agenda is a framework of ideas to foster belonging, physical and mental health and wellbeing and community cohesion between Ebbsfleet, Northfleet and Swanscombe, which could be tailored and evolve. The Ebbsfleet Agenda takes into consideration the likely rapid state of change within Ebbsfleet as development progresses, the aspirations of Ebbsfleet as a Garden City and Healthy New Town, the wildlife, the infrastructure, the vastness of the landscape and the needs of existing and new communities.
We proposed a social enterprise food production scheme and an annual programme of events weaving through the landscape connecting the three communities. The programme (titled ‘Your Ebbsfleet’) would be delivered to every household within the three communities, inviting participation for all. Each event within the programme is beautifully illustrated to engage residents and their children and whilst the language is deliberately light-hearted and fun its underlying intentions are ambitious; to encourage a sense of combined community, identity and pride for this unique place.
5 years on…
It is fantastic to see that the Community Engagement Team is thriving and organising all sorts of fun and engaging events, ultimately fostering a sense of pride in this new town and helping people to meet their neighbours and partake in creative activities that will make a lasting impact on Ebbsfleet.
If you’re interested in seeing some of the ideas we put forward, here is a link to the entry… Our Competition Entry
Our community activity diary included thoughtful and playful events every month intrinsically connected to Ebbsfleet and discovering the landscape.
- January: Oral History Day
- February: Object Casting Day
- March: Spartan Race
- April: Rediscovering the River Ebbsfleet + Edible Ebbsfleet Workshops Community Initiative
- May: Dawn Chorus Day Walk
- June: Picnic and Theatre
- July: Outdoor Film Screenings
- August: Folk Festival on the Lake+ Food Festival and Picnic
- October: Orchard Planting Day + Doodle Day
- November: Light Festival and Fireworks
- December: Snow Sledging
