Interdisciplinary project begins in local Aberdeen community

The Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment, Gray’s School of Art and the School of Pharmacy, Applied Sciences and Public Health have teamed up to offer students a new and innovative interdisciplinary learning opportunity that places emphasis on practice-based research and investigation within the local Torry community.

As part of the project, students from across the three RGU schools are analysing and studying Aberdeen’s second Cruyff Court, Cruyff Court Neale Cooper, in Tullos, Torry. The community space opened in 2019 and provides the community with a free and safe area to play a range of different sports and activities.

After an initial site visit, the architectural students have now begun analysing the surrounding area and identifying features using a variety of evaluation techniques including urban form, circulation patterns, open space ratio (figure-ground mapping) and image of place.

Stage 4 Applied Sport & Exercise Science and Sport Coaching students are conducting an evaluation survey of the site with users and also interviewing Streetsport staff and volunteers who deliver activity sessions within the community and on location. Communication Design students from Gray’s School of Art will support the capture and presentation of data and then develop and prepare infographics for the site-related statistics.

The project is being facilitated by Dr Quazi Mahtab Zaman, Scott Sutherland School of Architecture & Built Environment; Nicola Watson, Communication Design, Gray’s School of Art; Dr Katherine Burgess, PhD, Sport & Exercise Science; and Hannah Clews, from the Streetsport programme which is delivered in partnership by RGU and Denis Law Legacy Trust.

The students will combine their efforts to assess the spatial context and environment through ‘placemaking’ techniques with the aim of identifying potential and future improvements for the wider surrounding area. Placemaking is a collaborative process that involves designing and managing public spaces to improve the quality of life for the people who use them. It's a multi-faceted approach that considers the needs, culture, and aspirations of the local community. 

Quazi Zaman has engaged in various interdisciplinary teaching and learning projects with architecture students while establishing the ‘community as an extended classroom’ (CeC) method with groups in Seaton and Torry plus other schools in both Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. The core interest of the CeC approach is to enable pragmatic learning and experiences for students by involving the community when researching various spatial conditions, especially in areas designated as SIMD (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation).

He said: “Every year, we explore opportunities to enable real world client interactions and urban conditions for the student learners, and the Torry project is significant as it reflects RGU’s wider vision for engaging with the local communities.”

Nicola Watson, who also actively engaged in facilitating a wide range of external facing initiatives for students, said: “The Communication Design course at Gray’s continues to provide students with access to a variety of project opportunities and experiences with our wide range external partners.

“This innovative and multidisciplinary activity is another example of how our Stage 3 students can develop and apply their skills a within a local context and enable them to demonstrate their ability to collaborate with peers and colleagues from across other schools in RGU”.

Dr Katherine Burgess, School of Pharmacy, Applied Sciences and Public Health, said: “The Stage 4 students on our BSc (Hons) Applied Sport and Exercise Science and BSc (Hons) Sport Coaching all undertake a final year research project. This year a group of students have been working across schools and with Denis Law Legacy Trust to evaluate the impact of their Cruyff Courts and the associated activity sessions provided through the Streetsport programme.

“As well as the project having an academic impact it will also have direct real word application, providing the children’s charity with valuable information to assist them with developments moving forward and evidencing their impact”.

Hannah Clews, Streetsport Development Manager, Denis Law Legacy Trust, said: “This project presents an opportunity for the charity to connect with the wider community in Torry and help inform and plan for future enhancements within the surrounding area and environment.

“The project builds on our commitment to put local children and young people at the centre of our activities and by taking part in the evaluations and we will continue to involve them and listen and respond to their ideas and suggestions. Engaging in this way helps inspire pride and responsibility within the community and we look forward to seeing the outcomes and potential ideas for the area moving forward”.