New book 20/20 Visions: Collaborative Planning & Placemaking launched
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New book 20/20 Visions: Collaborative Planning & Placemaking launched

Published on 26 June 2018

This week marks the launch of 20/20 Visions, a new book by JTP partner Charles Campion, which considers the importance of bringing the knowledge and creativity of communities into planning and placemaking, and the role and effectiveness of the co-design Charrette methodology in doing this. The book, published by RIBA Publishing, includes 20 illustrated case studies from around the world. 

“
20/20 Visions gives practitioners and communities the inspiration and confidence to introduce Charrettes into their planning processes. It enables you to add social, economic and environmental value to your projects and produce better, more resilient and inclusive places.
Charles Campion, Author
Erin Simmons, AIA, with book author, Charles Campion at the Hebden Bridge Town Hall, Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire on 22 June 2018

More information on the book can be found on the website 2020VisionsBook.com, a platform through which Charles is establishing an open global dialogue around participatory planning and placemaking. 

The #NorthernPowerhouse launch took place on Friday 22 June at the Incredible Festival of Ideas in Todmorden, Yorkshire with an introduction from Erin Simmons, Senior Director, Design Assistance, from the American Institute of Architects (AIA). She explained the 50-year history of AIA R/UDATs (Regional and Urban Design Assistance Team) Charrettes, the benefits they have brought to communities across the US and how the methodology has spread across the globe.

Open Mike Day at the R/UDAT in East Nashville, Tennessee, 1999. Photo included with the case study in 20/20Visions

The London launch will take place at RIBA Bookshop on Tuesday 26 June with special guest Joel Mills, Senior Director, Communities by Design, AIA. Joel will say that, “The case studies in this volume provide an indispensable guide that demonstrates how our cities and neighbourhoods can apply democratic approaches to make and remake themselves. It is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the key tools to achieve urban success in the 21st century.”

The third launch in a week will take place at the Academy of Urbanism ‘Cities on the Rise’ Congress in Cork from 27-30 June.

The book can be purchased direct from RIBA Bookshops

About the Book

Designing and delivering resilient and equitable cities and neighbourhoods is best achieved by engaging the knowledge and creativity of local communities and stakeholders. But how do we go about involving communities? In 20/20 Visions: Collaborative Planning & Placemaking, Charles Campion argues for participatory democracy and demonstrates that the Charrette methodology, established and practiced internationally over 50 years, is a most effective and genuine way to co-design and deliver local visions and action plans and build trust and community capacity.

A series of 20 international case studies present the strengths of the Charrette process and show how they can be delivered on a variety of scales, sectors and sites. It’s a highly visual and accessible guide for the busy practitioner and an indispensable companion for those who value people-centric urban design.

Read the Foreword from Vice President and CEO of the AIA, Robert Ivy

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We are living in exciting times - self build, community land trusts, asset transfers, edible landscapes. Communities have power. When the public purse recedes the power of people grows. This book underlines the principles of trust, transparency and participation. We are not all individually blessed with 20/20 vision, but it’s something we would all wish for as communities. The days of ego architecture are gone, bravo for the collaborative approach. Read this book and exercise those participatory muscles.
Mary Clear MBE, Community activist & co-founder Incredible Edible
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I have been seriously impressed with the transformative power of the Charrette, which helped create London’s first Community Land Trust at St Clements Hospital in Bow. The co-design process enabled us to cast aside the pessimism and low-expectations that accompany most tawdry ‘consultations’ and the resultant masterplan truly reflects our community’s stated aims. The theory and practical case studies in 20/20 Visions are a timely reminder that we must harness the creativity of our citizens to shape great places and sustainable communities.
Dave Smith, Trustee (and former Director) London Community Land Trust
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Too often planners and architects assume the professionals know best. In this book Charles Campion shows us how involving communities in placemaking on the contrary delivers better, transformative designs that gain community support and much better outcomes. From the history of the Charette to practical examples, this is vital reading for anyone with an interest in how to achieve outstanding placemaking with and through the community.
Lord Taylor of Goss Moor, Visiting Professor, Plymouth University School of Planning