Be2Camp

Exploring Web 2.0 in the built environment

Members

  • Gemma Went
  • Bernie J Mitchell
  • Carmen
  • Sarah Griffiths
  • Colm Quinn
  • ActiveBE
  • Andrew McCormick
  • Ben Murdoch
  • Christina Yan Zhang
  • Charlotte Stephens
  • Neil Fairbrother
  • map-lab
  • Joni Tyler
  • Wathes
  • william hawkins
  • Jonathon Moreels

Latest Activity

Alex Lancashire Some silly email from rose baby. I gather it has been dealt with- top stuff. Trust me she(?) is not going for the young ones, just any one!
8 hours ago
Discussion area for the second life and other virtual world aspects of be2camp
14 hours ago
Gemma Went is now a member of Be2Camp
16 hours ago
Bernie J Mitchell is now a member of Be2Camp
on Friday

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Be2camp - where Web 2.0 meets the Built Environment

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 Be2camp North in Liverpool in May, Be2camp Brum in Birmingham in August, and Be2camp@ WorkingBuildings and RIBAforum09 in London in October.


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Be2camp Web 2.0 Showcase

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)

Blog Posts

Martin Brown

Can you help? Fly through technology wanted

We have received a request to help find a fly through technology organisation based in the South East. If this is your bag or know of someone who can help please leave details below, send me a message through this site or twitter @fairsnap or @be2camp
Many thanks

Posted by Martin Brown on November 18, 2009 at 2:30pm — 1 Comment

Paul Wilkinson

The Be2camp Web 2.0 Showcase

At Be2camp@WorkingBuildings in London last month it was suggested that we use the Be2camp website to showcase good examples of Web 2.0 technologies being deployed to support built environment projects. We have therefore re-jigged the home page a bit to give prominence to a new feature: the Be2camp Web 2.0 Showcase. Our first featured case study is YouCanPlan and Vision Lozells.

Assuming we get a steady flow of good suggestions for candidates, this feature will be updated approximately we… Continue

Posted by Paul Wilkinson on November 10, 2009 at 1:56pm

Ken

Immersive Environments using Web.Alive

Immersive Environments using Web.Alive

There are game engines, originally created for development of computer/video games, which can be used for non-game virtual worlds. Unreal Engine (UE) by Epic Games ( http://www.unrealtechnology.com ) is probably the strongest, robust and most popular. UE is a complete 3D development framework for PCs, Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3, providing a vast array of core technologies, content creation tools, and support in… Continue

Posted by Ken on November 9, 2009 at 11:33am

Paul Wilkinson

Six weeks to form a Be2camp team for BuildLondonLive

BLL-logoIt's just over six weeks to the next BuildLONDONlive - 15-17 December. BLL is "a unique mix of virtual collaborative event, architectural competition and a BIM exhibition", and this year's con… Continue

Posted by Paul Wilkinson on November 2, 2009 at 4:00pm

Forum

Tony Carroll

Group tools to collect bookmarks 4 Replies

Started by Tony Carroll. Last reply by Su Butcher Nov 18.

Paul Wilkinson

BuildLONDONLive - anyone want to start a Be2camp team? 6 Replies

Started by Paul Wilkinson. Last reply by map-lab Nov 2.

Martin Brown

be2camp signs up to 10:10 2 Replies

Started by Martin Brown. Last reply by Martin Brown Oct 12.

Paul Wilkinson

Be2c@WB speakers

Started by Paul Wilkinson Sep 4.

 
 

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