Primary school students in Tower Hamlets celebrated completing the Young City Makers programme at an awards ceremony held at Whitechapel Town Hall on 29 November.
1,500 students from 27 local primary schools took part in the programme which partnered planners, architects, and builders with schools to run a mixture of workshops and city research trips.
Teachers, students and parents came together to commend the achievements of the students and present them with a ‘Key to the City’ medal and a personal certificate.
The programme aims to develop collaboration and model-making skills, alongside giving students an understanding of their role in shaping their city.
Tower Hamlets Council joined the programme and officers from its Planning and Building Control team supported students for a full-term.
The programme concluded with students building a 3D model based on their ideas for how a sustainable future in London could be achieved. Students presented their models at the awards ceremony.
Cllr Abdul Wahid, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills and Growth at Tower Hamlets Council, opened the ceremony:
“We know that the built environment is not often designed by those who live and work in it, this programme aimed to engage students at an early stage and ensure that future physical and personal workplaces are diverse, representative, and fully inclusive.
“The 3D models that the students created are incredibly impressive, it’s clear to me that this kind of creative education, which explores heritage and supports future careers, is much needed across the borough.”
In the coming academic year, the programme will run in the autumn term for more than 25 schools in East London.
The programme is funded by Tower Hamlets Council, Arup, Frame, Foundation for Future London, Knight Dragon, and the Greater London Authority.
Posted on Tuesday 16th January 2024