Good City - What Makes Milton Keynes
Visit the website - theplanformiltonkeynes.co.uk
In 2023 we were awarded funding by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to embark on an exciting project animating The Plan for Milton Keynes, the original masterplan produced in 1970 that outlined the design and development of the new city.
Having digitised the two volumes of the masterplan, the project enabled us to make them freely available on an all-new website. Visit The Plan for Milton Keynes where you can access the full copies, find a summary of the first volume and see visual interpretations of the original six goals. We have provided different levels of access to the information contained within The Plan to appeal to different levels of interest.
Through a series of supper club sessions, workshops, activity days and exhibitions, we animated the masterplan with local community groups. There were opportunities for discovery and inspiration, as well as consideration of the future of the city. Conversations were sparked between communities, and hopes and desires expressed in innovative and artistic ways.
Over 80 people attended one of ten supper club sessions, held for a number of local community groups, where they were introduced to The Plan and its contents. Over some dinner, participants discussed what they felt was still relevant to Milton Keynes today from the original plans and what they felt needed to be added for the future. It was a safe space to air their opinions and practice using new knowledge to express their views. Facilitated by Studio Chehade, we worked with Milton Keynes College, Milton Keynes Youth Council, Fawcett Society Milton Keynes Group, Q;alliance, Friends of Bradwell Abbey, Milton Keynes Heritage Association, Camphill MK, residents of the Woughton Community Council area, and also held a session for the public to attend and one where early local residents and ex-MKDC employees came together to discuss their experiences.
Follow on drop-in workshops were held to give more people an opportunity to learn about The Plan, its original six goals and the creation of Milton Keynes. Attendees were also able to provide input into the commissioned community artwork.
We held five craft and re-enactment sessions in the local public libraries to introduce children and their families to planning and design. These were extremely popular and saw the youngsters deciding what they wanted to see in their own cities. Over 200 attendees used soft play and creative crafts to build their own Milton Keynes.
In order to increase access to the content of The Plan, we have created a Braille version of the six goals and a video description of them. Both can be viewed on the project website and the Braille version can be accessed at Bradwell Abbey.
Five pieces of artwork were commissioned from local artist Liisa Clark, who attended many of the supper clubs and workshops, plus re-enactment sessions. The thoughts, opinions and words of participants were interpreted by the artist into five paintings. The artwork, aptly titled ‘Hopes and Dreams by Design’, reflects the city’s unique blend of aspiration and meticulous planning, and delves into the very heart of Milton Keynes, capturing its essence and the myriad of emotions it evokes amongst residents. It opens a dialogue about urban planning, community sentiment and viewers are encouraged to reflect on how design and experience intertwine in the life of a city and its people.
