About Be2camp - Be2camp is for people interested in how the latest web applications and web design techniques (Web 2.0; eg: RSS, blogs, Twitter, Wikis, etc) could help build a better, more sustainable built environment - planning, design, construction, even occupation and management of buildings, infrastructure, landscape, etc.

Be2camp events - Be2camp 2008, the UK's (possibly the world's) first 'unconference' focused on Web 2.0 and the built environment, was held in London in October 2008. 2009 saw events in Liverpool, Birmingham and London, plus a joint event. RIBAforum09, and 2010 started with SMW Be2camp in London on 1 February.

YouCanPlan

The first Be2camp unconference in London in October 2008 included presentations on both mainstream web 2.0 tools like blogs and Twitter, as well as applications more focused on challenges in the architectural, engineering, construction (AEC) and property sectors. Among the latter presentations (video here) was YouCanPlan, introduced by architects Michael Kohn, from University of East London-based Slider Studio who developed the application, and Rob Annable, of Birmingham-based Axis Design who deployed the application on an urban regeneration project in Birmingham's Lozells district.

What is YouCanPlan?

Described as "public participation in planning", YouCanPlan developed out of a project focused on helping people get more involved in designing and procuring their own homes (Enabled Self-Procurement), and takes advantage of gaming and Web 2.0 technologies (including commenting, blogging, photo-sharing, etc) to provide design-focused consultation and engagement services and tools for the built environment.

Essentially, YouCanPlan aims to increase understanding and engagement with the design process by all stakeholders. It provides an online platform capable of hosting a range of different project types, from large scale urban design to detailed housing proposals. Accordingly, the tools can be used in different ways by different people. For example:

• architects and other designers can publish designs
• planning and consultation professionals can prepare surveys
• residents and other building users can explore the designs in 3D and provide feedback on the proposals.

Being web-based, the technology is available 24/7 to multiple users, promoting participation in the design process to many individuals who are often 'disenfranchised' by conventional consultation processes.

Interviewed by WorldArchitectureNews in May 2008, Michael said:

“We are focusing on social sustainability built into the community where people that are living there will be able to make decisions. Not like speculative developments some of which are literally ghettos."

Vision Lozells

YouCanPlan is being used to support an Urban Living/Birmingham City Council housing regeneration programme in the South Lozells district, a project dubbed Vision Lozells.

Residents of the area and interested visitors can view an interactive visualisation of proposals for the area. As none of the proposals are fixed, the software presents various options, allowing users to switch between design proposals to see what the different effects of new development might have on the neighbourhood. The area can be navigated from above (a bird's eye view), users can also walk around at street level, or jump on a virtual bus for a tour.

YouCanPlan Lozells was demonstrated at conventional face-to-face public consultation meetings, and is freely available as a download so that it can be accessed even if people don't have or don't want to use an internet connection. Importantly, it is not just about opening a dialogue between the professional team and local residents: it also enables people to chat online with friends and neighbours, and users can also join interactive group chat sessions where a member of the project team talks about the thinking behind the development proposals.

The innovative use of YouCanPlan led to the project being short-listed in the 2009 UK Housing Awards.

(Want to feature in the Be2camp Web 2.0 Showcase? Email us your ideas)