Strategies for community led neighbourhood transformation: Spatial justice in practice

​Host: Makespace Oxfordshire

​A workshop digging deep into how we bring about Neighbourhood transformation in Oxfordshire, inspired by examples from across the country. And we’ll explore what spatial justice looks and feels like in practice.

​How can we protect our community spaces? How can we bring more land, buildings and high streets into community ownership for the common good? How can we better understand - and change - the dominant model of regeneration that is harming communities through fire-sales of publicly owned land and buildings, vacant high streets and a rapid loss of community-owned/run spaces? What are the practical strategies and tactics that take us towards spatial justice, creating healthy, thriving, just spaces for all across Oxfordshire?

​You’ll hear from a panel of inspiring speakers – thinkers, doers and activists sharing their stories of community-led, place based regeneration, from grassroots action to regional and national movement-building and policy.

​Following the panel, attendees will break into groups with each speaker to unpack the strategies and tactics discussed in more detail, and how they might apply to their own neighbourhood or how they can support it as a funder or local authority.

​Attendees will feel inspired and better connected to those involved in the struggle for community spaces and community led regeneration, more confident in the dimensions of spatial justice and the practical strategies, tools and tactics needed to make change happen in their neighbourhood.

​Speakers include: Bex Trevalyan, Co-initiator of Platform Places, Mycelial Network and Co-founder of Library of Things; Frances Northrop, Head of Community Economic Power at NEF, Co-initiator of Platform Places; Vicky Alvarez, Wards Corner, market trader, activist, organiser; Marta Lomza, community practitioner across heritage and environmental sectors, involved in OxGrow Community Garden and CAG Oxfordshire; Andy Edwards, Co-founder of Makespace Oxfordshire [Chair].

​The event is designed to attract broad interest from local residents and activists fighting to save their local community space to funders, local decision makers, asset owners, councils, colleges and other anchor institutions.

​Further reading:

​A Path Towards Spatial Justice - (Re)founding Makespace Oxford(shire)

​Who’s funding system change in Oxfordshire?

​This venue has a capacity of 60.