What makes a neighbourhood great to live in?
Over the past six months, through a series of 4 workshops, people across the county have been sharing their hopes for what thriving streets and neighbourhoods that work for everyone could feel like.
We have opened a time portal to Oxfordshire in the near future that you can travel to and respond to that emergent future vision.
What Happened?
Over four workshops between March and June we worked iteratively, each session creating insights to inform the next. We had representation from across Oxford and towns across the county, from Thame to Banbury. The workshop pages are still live so you can explore post-workshop insights where available.
WORKSHOP 1 · COMPLETED
Understanding our streets today
24th March · 6:30-8:30 pm · Online
This workshop introduced the workshop series to ground participants in ‘place’ and the system dynamics shaping Oxfordshire's streets and neighbourhoods.
WORKSHOP 2 · COMPLETED
Future visions with Rob Hopkins
16th April · FULL DAY · Oxford Town Hall
We time-travelled to Oxfordshire in the near-future with Rob Hopkins. Using collective imagination practice, participants pictured what thriving streets and neighbourhoods could look and feel like - immersive, imagination-filled, and illustrated in real time with artist Richard Carman.
WORKSHOP 3 & 4 · COMPLETED
Co-designing indicators of change
20th May and 9th June · Online
Working with the insights and data from across the first two workshops, participants decided on territories for community-led indicators - the signals and stories of change we're working toward. This helped define what progress might look and feel like in everyday life, if, collectively, we got things right.
WORKSHOP 5
Bringing the future into the present
(Autumn- Date TBC) · In person, central Oxfordshire
We'll map enabling conditions that expand what's politically and practically possible beyond current policy and infrastructure constraints. We’re seeking representation from local Government, businesses, residents, civil society groups and commons builders across Oxfordshire.
Who Can Join?
This project needs everyone. Whether you're a resident, business owner, councillor, planner, community organiser or volunteer - if you live in Oxfordshire and care about your places, streets, and neighbourhoods, you belong here. We're especially keen to hear from people who are rarely in these rooms: people from ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people, young people. This is your chance to be part of shaping the collective story going forward - to co-author what thriving feels like in your part of Oxfordshire.
Remember: Places are limited. Registration puts you on the list and helps us plan for inclusive participation. Booking secures your place at a specific workshop. We'll email you with booking links and confirmed times in early March.
