Great to have @HelenGraham64 & @PhilBixby talk to #futureparks about MyCastleGateway consultation processes in York. Public debate about public space: Colson Bristol Statue, Festivals in parks, Edinburgh festival. Codifying postits & starting with the tricky stuff..

Using an open brief to combine existing 'statements of significance' with public value and current use. ie transport links, financial viability. always asking 'who is part of the conversation who currently isn't'..? Map competing tensions & constituencies..

Start with where people are: pecha kucha, bike rides, community events, 'doing together' with other people's meetings & interests. Report on the public events so people can look in and codify everything so no piece of data is lost..

Cliffords Tower example: local people interested in how it looks outside (1930s) rather than a classic history view of an ancient momement. Local activists crowdfunded a judicial review. All with the backdrop of management challenges for english heritage (££ & visitor enjoyment)

Example of how people use playgrounds in the designers briefs: 'our kids like flying' not 'we want 5 swings' from Nottingham. map where other kids hang out, what natural features (slopes, ramps, fallen trees) rather than 'we have space here.. Experiences, not features..

Onto the usual suspects now. They have a role but need to understand the range of voices & opinions. 'Own the complexity' don't just advocate for your own position'. but this is about local democracy & the public sphere so a small number can't veto or have overall control..

How independent do these processes need to be from local councils? "a servant of the process, to enact & liven. not the outcome". Councillors & council officers attend but on the same terms as everyone else. A key role for local democracy here, esp if cross party support..

The new model: How to systemise it? Led by Comms as part of major projects, coordinating other council depts (ie local areas coordinators). The aim is to move from data to networks. so use the codified data/ post-it notes to build more meaningful ongoing conversations..

Multiple lines of democratic conversion: planning happens through representative democracy, this is more about active citizenship - so what needs to change for this to flourish? Who is going to give away power in times of strongmen & centralization. No silver bullets..

Red lines: Car parks bring in ££. if councils are going to repurpose them for pocketparks, or seating for cafes - where's the money come from after 10 years of #localgov reduction in funding. Honesty is key. A conversation about the terms in each place..? https://myfutureyork.org/ 

Final thought: Statues are disrupting the places where people can come together, The Ancient Agora of Athens? The center of an athletic, artistic, spiritual & political life in a city is probably a park rather than a shopping centre. A leisure desination rather than just work.