My City Too was established to give young people a voice in the development of their neighbourhoods and London’s wider urban landscape. Young people must be involved in decision making if they are to take more responsibility for the places in which they live and for the communities of which they are an integral part.

Developed and led by the independent architecture education organisation, Open-City, it provides a platform for young people aged 12 to 19 to lead and shape a long-term initiative that – uniquely – generates debate about issues that affect London’s built environment as a whole while also tackling specific local concerns.

My City Too furthers Open-City’s aim of encouraging a deeper understanding of architecture and the public realm by extending capacity building to a younger audience in order to create a legacy of design excellence. Our aim is not only to respond directly to current policy objectives, but to reflect on and to question current processes in the built environment, developing ways of breaking down barriers that prevent young people from engaging directly with architecture and the public realm.

In the last decade we have seen significant policy changes and initiatives that seek to increase young people’s participation in decision making across the board. Yet research still makes clear that many feel that they have little or no influence in how their city is developed, and in how its spaces and places are used. Young people must be involved at a strategic level if they are going to value, respect and take ownership of the spaces and places around them. My City Too is a response to this challenge.

Read more about our approach to the programme...

"I think that as young people the built environment has a profound effect on our daily lives, and will continue to do so as we grow up. I enjoy the opportunity to meet other young people and discuss the different aspects and issues relating to the built environment enabling each of us to learn and get a broader understanding of London as a city."

Angelina, 16

 

"My City Too attempts to engage teenagers in civic issues, to give them an insight into architecture and urbanism and to persuade them that they are able to influence planning and local decisions, and that they should. It is about giving them the language and frame of reference to express their ideas and desires."

Edwin Heathcote, architectural critic, Financial Times