elop*9 Coherent Connections Bangor Project Fall 2016/17
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North Wales, the location.
The Menai Suspension Bridge, connecting Bangor to Anglesey. (Wikipedia )
Main Arts, Bangor University.
elop*9 Coherent Connections - Bangor Project 2016/2017 elop* Platform elop* has been engaged since its outset in 2009 in complex tasks that can only be tackled successfully by transdisciplinary teams. elop* works with students and faculty from an international network of partner universities (elop* alliance). After 8 editions that have taken place in Switzerland (4x), China, Germany, USA and Mexico, in 2016 elop* travels to Bangor UK.
elop*9 Context Nestled between the frosted peaks of the Snowdonia National Park and the turbulent waters of the Menai Straits, Bangor is cocooned by natural beauty. The oldest city in Wales, and home to the site of the oldest cathedral in the UK, Bangor has a rich history, which is simultaneously complemented by pioneering research conducted at the local university. This fusion of antiquity and novelty is mirrored in the city’s built environment; at the top of the valley stands the historic Main Arts Building, juxtaposed in clear contrast to the contemporary Pontio Arts and Innovation Centre. Pontio, or ‘bridge’ in Welsh stands as a link between the University, and the city’s heart. The pivotal decision to found a university in Bangor was made in 1833. Whilst thirteen towns in North Wales were eagerly competing to host an academic institution at this time, Bangor was eventually identified due to the strong commitment demonstrated by local people. Quarrymen, farmers and tradesmen donated money they could barely afford to a public appeal, in order to financially support the construction of the university. This was a significant sacrifice, resulting in a legacy which is an integral part of Bangor’s history. North Wales offers a utopia of natural pleasures, from the coastline which wraps the north of the city, to the fells and mountains in the south. Across the water is the Island of Anglesey, once known as ‘Mon Mam Cymru’ or the Mother of Wales, the fertile fields of this region have historically provided crops to feed the nation. Today, cuisine is still an essential part of the Anglesey’s appeal, with many popular restaurants sprinkled throughout the Island. Additionally, North Wales has been conceptualised as ‘the heart of adventure’ with several new projects focussed on promoting the area as suitable for destination tourism. This includes the fastest zip line in the world, stretched across the watery pools of a retired slate quarry, and the first manmade wave lagoon in Europe. With a population of around 12,000 inhabitants, further supplemented by the university’s 10,000 students, Bangor has a vibrant, communal essence.
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‘Bro’ meaning region in Welsh captures this concept, and in particular the term ‘Bro Mebyd’ which means to value one’s childhood or the place you were raised. Many locals exuberantly display a distinct pride in their native community. A deep bond is also expressed by numerous students; although these inhabitants are often transitory, they display a remarkable attachment to a place considered as home. ‘Root’ here has a secondary meaning; the tight social links inherent amoung the local populace, and the small size of this locale present many opportunities for communal interaction, and facilitate a firm binding of the community.
Congestions on the A55, the main road into Bangor. (Daily Post)
Bangor High Street. (Wikipedia)
Project Topic Situations Whilst relations within communal sub-groups may flourish, the perception of an unequal distribution of resources and cultural discord has provoked a lack of social cohesion between the university and the town. This presents somewhat of a challenge to the collective efficacy of Bangor, and the design of new developments requires a sensitive approach in order to address the needs of the whole community. Bangor is home to the longest highstreet in Wales, however it’s appeal fails to generate a popularity of equal measure. Despite the unique and distinctive offerings of independent shops peppered throughout the street, this area is rarely busy. Given the dynamic potential of the student population and the intimacy of the local community, this situation raises a question over why reasonable expectations of a bustling highstreet do not align with reality. Perhaps this is explained at least in part by widespread accessibility issues. Despite the presence of three separate entry routes into Bangor, access to the city via the road is time-consuming, and congestion is a problem. Additionally, parking in Bangor is of particular consternation, and the A55, one of the main roads into Bangor is a notoriously problematic route. The two bridges which provide access to the city from Anglesey can be equally troublesome during peak times, particularly during the morning and evening commute when many employees travel into the city to work at the university, hospital or business park located just outside of Bangor, Parc Menai. Mobility issues are replicated at a wider scale due to unreliable public transport across the remote areas surrounding Bangor. Given the immense value that can be derived from these precious but disparate amenities located across North Wales, and the effort and resources ploughed into promoting the area as a tourist destination, a lack of access is a distinct problem. Whilst the immediate issues of congestion and parking in Bangor are visibly clear, it is important to recognise that for those who do not own a car, it is also a problem getting out. Bangor is an area surrounded by history, beauty and opportunity. Diminishing the barriers which hinder the exploration of such delights, has the potential to significantly enhance the quality of life for the local people. Concerns over mobility and congestion across Bangor and it’s surrounding areas are all the more pertinent given potential projects to be undertaken in the coming years. Plans for the initiation of a nuclear power site in Wylfa, Anglesey promise to promote economic activity in the region. It is estimated that 10,000 additional workers will be needed during the initial 5 year construction period. With many employees likely to be living along the coast, necessitating a long and arduous commute, a clear risk to both individual wellbeing and communal safety is presented.
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North Wales is economically deprived relative to its surrounding areas, and whilst there are several projects dedicated to enhancing its economic health, it is essential to note that complementary infrastructure must be in place if these efforts are not to be in vain. Both cost, ease, feasibility and enjoyment of transport in this area is critical to supporting the viability of many business ventures, as well as recreational activity. The question now therefore, is how might the current issues be transformed via future technologies, to reimagine Bangor?
Project Scope The elop*9 project provides platform for transcultural and transdisciplinary practice that is capable of envisioning the future impact of autonomous transport in the context of Bangor and its surrounding areas. The rurality of this location, social demographies of the city and the current issues relating to accessibility and ease of mobility present opportunities. Students will be faced with a real situation, which is at once physical, social, economical, ecological, cultural and political. To tackle the project, students will analyse, reflect and through synthesis of their collective knowledge and knowhow propose a vision that aligns with the following. Project aim The aim of the project is to create a vision for coherent and connected experiences in Bangor, by transforming mobility and fostering highstreet entrepreneurship, resulting in economic regeneration. Specifically, proposals will aim to: - Transform mobility and connectivity - Foster creative entrepreneurship Which will result in: - Regeneration of economic and industrial capacity - Increased community aspirations, self-efficacy and resilience - Amplified regional culture and tourism Project foci > Create a new eTransport hub on Bryn Cegin, a greenfield site between the A55 expressway and Bangor; for autonomous transport and associated amenities. > Regenerate the High Street; in particular, create proposals for the development of the unoccupied second floor above many independent retail outlets.
Structure of the Course Phase A | Calendar Week 39-40/2016 Virtual Kick-Off Disciplinary Analyses and Research While getting to know Video Conferencing as a communication tool, the students receive an introduction of the challenges of transdisciplinary teamwork, get a first understanding of the project topic and task as well as insights on TD methodologies. This important background will enable a wellfounded start into the project and the creation of adequate goals in a transdisciplinary way. Lectures on Specific Topics Lectures are given to facilitate the efficient start for the project with respect to a common nomenclature. Topics will be specified in more detail during the Physical Kick-Off in Bangor and during the entire project.
dates may be subject to alterations
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Phase B | Calendar Week 40-41, 2016 8
Physical Kick-Off at Bangor, UK With their physical presence in Bangor students and faculty members come together mainly for the following purposes: Team Formation The students build a profound social link among each other and create a basis for a reliable collaboration during the course of the project. Shared Understanding The main goal is to get to a shared problem understanding and definition including all disciplinary perspectives. Therefore, the teams (multidisciplinary) will be guided through a first iterative working cycle structured based on a design thinking approach in immersion, affinity, ideation, prototyping and communication. Local specificities The students can visit the site to discover the local situation and are given the unique opportunity to meet the stakeholders as well as to collect information offered by the authorities and the academic team. Project Planning Definition of a project process outline: At the end of the week, the teams present a preliminary plan including work packages, timeline, milestones, resources and activity planning etc. Subsequently students return to their home universities with recommendations for the next phase of the project. Lectures Crucial aspects of the project are addressed by lectures given by experts and project partners. Instructions on ICT Students get introduced to collaboration and communication via ICT (tools, methods, tips) and learn how to use tools (video conferencing, blog, data sharing, presentation, idea formation, decision making, process management).
Phase C | Calendar Week 42/2016 – 3/2017 Back at Home University | Virtual Collaboration The goal of the central third phase is to develop the design, to formulate expertise and to create solutions. After the introductory days, the students return to their home universities. At the same time, they as well form disciplinary local teams at the different locations to exchange basic information useful for all project teams. During Phase C the teams present their intermediary results of their work in two review sessions by using videoconferencing technology. These reviews provide the opportunity for the teams to get feedback from coaches, stakeholders and colleagues. Between the reviews, the teams organize (weekly) coaching sessions together with their local coaches, and periodically with their team coaches.
Phase D | Calendar Week 3-4 2017 Final Presentation of the Project | at Bangor, UK The final presentation has the goal to show the project‘s results to the stakeholders in Bangor and to the local population and to offer possibilities for a discourse. The final week of project development prior to the final presentation is a crucial and exciting culminating moment of the project. This intensive time gives team members the chance to wrap up their ideas and bring the project conclusions to the fore.
Surfsnowdonia Wave Pool
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Information Disciplines 10
Students in the master‘s or third year Bachelor‘s program of the following disciplines are welcome to apply: • Architecture • Landscape Architecture • Urban Planning • Regional Management • Art / Art Education / Visual Communication / Media Design • Environmental Communication Design • Building Technologies / Environmental Engineering / Renewable Energies • Construction and Process Management • Civil and Structural engineering • Social Work / Social Sciences • Psychological Sciences • Tourism / Marketing • Mobility • ...
Costs The participation fee for an elop* Semester Project is 1500€ per Student. Students of elop*alliance member Universities are free of charge. Accommodation during Physical Kick Off Week and Final Review week will be organized and offered by the hosting University (project organization). All travel costs including insurances are in charge of the participant or his/her home university.
Credits / Grades The grading of the students’ contribution is in each home university‘s responsibility.
Workload It is suggested that students who successfully participate in elop* projects receive academic credits (e.g. based on the ECTS European Credit Transfer System). The workload is estimated to range between 30–40% on average during the entire semester.
Application Documents Students interested in participation submit: • Curriculum Vitae • Letter of Motivation What value can you bring to a transdisciplinary team? What do you expect to learn from elop*? Term of Application June 30th, 2016 to: kathrin.merz@bfh.ch Confirmation of acceptance into the programme will be provided by the elop* team latest by August 9th 2016.
Contact Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH) / elop*, Switzerland P +41 34 426 41 74 kathrin.merz@bfh.ch https://www.facebook.com/bfh.elop/ elop* Lead and Coordination Kathrin Merz, BFH Guy Lanfranchi, BFH Maria Solovjew, BFH elop*9 Organisation Andrew Goodman, Bangor University John Parkinson, Bangor University
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www.facebook.com/bfh.elop
image: Zip World in Bethesda (www.zipworld.co.uk)
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