About the Hidden Engineering Behind Public Spaces, Art, and Play
The aim of “The Hidden Engineering Behind Public Realm, Art & Play” was to upskill engineers in public engagement and knowledge sharing around their work, while making the engineering profession more accessible, interesting and exciting for public audiences. It brought together engineers from private sector firms, development corporations, and local authorities, that are working on or have already delivered regeneration schemes throughout London, with Year 9 students from schools in the local areas.
Participating engineers received training and support from Walk Wheel Cycle Trust (formerly Sustrans)in the form of two full-day workshops, to develop and deliver site-specific walking tours and activities for local schools. Each group of engineers then delivered a walking tour to their assigned school group, that consisted of up to 45 young people from the boroughs of Islington, Barking & Dagenham, and Hammersmith & Fulham.
The activities were designed for young people from backgrounds underrepresented in engineering, with the aim of shining a light on the role of engineers in spaces not generally thought of as “engineered”, including parks, public art, and public realm, focusing on topics such as highways, drainage, structures and greening. They also inspired the students to consider a career in engineering, making them aware of how sharing their lived experience is invaluable to making their local areas more accessible and inclusive.
