The future of Harrow: Teenager calls for 'quality' design not concrete monoliths

3:20pm Thursday 29th July 2010

By Tristan Kirk

AN aspiring town planner believes top quality designs are key to the future development of Harrow.

Teenager Angelina Munabi is one of the members of Harrow's My City Two project, a committee formed to give young people a voice as the borough plans for future major developments.

Angelina, 17, who lives in Hatch End, told the Harrow Times she believes planners have to steer away from creating a concrete jungle and be innovative in how they use the space available.

She said: “Housing is probably an issue with the increasing population, but sometimes you can end up with concrete monoliths.

“You have to ensure you get quality design, and there are opportunities for really innovative and engaging design – enhancing the community and giving people a sense of community pride.”

Angelina takes inspiration from new plans for Cedars Youth and Community Centre, which, it is hoped, will blend into the parkscape rather than being a structural blight.

She said: “That is probably a good template to take across Harrow, things like green roofs and sustainable design, and using the space for lots of different activities.

“I'm not sure we are making the most of the space we have. I look at the old Post Office site just sitting there for ages with nothing happening, and the unfinished block of flats in the town centre, and it's such a shame because that space could be the basis for a vibrant and active part of Harrow.”

Angelina has since 2007 been part of the Open City project, which encourages chosen young people from across the capital to visit different areas of London and see what is successful and unsuccessful in building design.

She says sustainability is important to remember when planning a major development, saying “we need to claw back nature into design”.

She also warned against flashy buildings which may look good when new but soon become tired and out of fashion.

Angelina was speaking as Harrow Council prepares to a major public engagement agenda via its new Major Developments Panel, to discover what residents want for strategically important sites which will change the face of Harrow over the next ten to fifteen years.

The teenager urged the council to consider a new leisure centre by 2012 to “capture some of the Olympic magic”, and to make sure the Kodak site redevelopment on the table at the moment incorporates green spaces and leisure sites.

Councillor Keith Ferry, in charge of planning in Harrow and a member of the new panel, welcomed Angelina's input, saying: “Getting young people involved brings a refreshing new perspective to the planning process, and their energy and ideas are proving invaluable.

“It is essential young people play an active part in creating our vision for the future development of Harrow, and make sure we provide the right facilities for our young residents.”