Young Londoners' Campaign

'A lot of adults don't trust young people. They are suspicious of us and they feel threatened by groups of us hanging out together. I want to be free of those prejudices, and this project is one way to start changing people's opinion.'

Glen (aged 15)

Young people are our future. Yet research shows that many of them feel that they have little or no influence in decisions about their city. Young people must be fully involved in placemaking and policy-making if they are going to value, respect and take ownership of the spaces and places around them.

My City Too is a groundbreaking city-wide campaign created by Open House to enable young people to voice their ideas, aspirations and solutions for the future of London. My City Too places young people at the heart of built environment policy and inspires them to take an active role in London's future development.

In the year since its launch, over 100 young Londoners aged 12 – 19  have come together to develop and progress the campaign. Activity has included: an online survey of the views and ideas of over 1000 young people across 22 London boroughs; local community projects; the publication of a teenagers’ manifesto for better places in the capital; and My City Too hustings for mayoral candidates at City Hall.

Following the success of the campaign’s first year, we are embarking on Phase 2 (2008 – 2010):

  • Increased numbers of young ambassadors, with the aim of working with every London borough
  • International city-to-city exchange programme, to be launched at the World Architecture Festival in Barcelona in October 2008
  • My City Too Conference to showcase the role of future generations to design and planning teams
  • 2010 manifesto and hustings for local election candidates, architects, developers, designers and councillors

My City Too supporters include:

Corporate partner: Tesco

Principal sponsor: Corus

Media and communications partners: Building, Property Week, RIBA Journal, FD Tamesis

Project sponsors: Abbey Charitable Trust, Arup, First Base, Make, Media Box, Southwark London

Exhibition sponsors: Development Securities, First Base, More London

For more information about My City Too or to get involved in the campaign, please email Elise Leclerc.