See Tottenham through children's eyes: Toddle in the City FREE July 2012

July 12, 2012 - PRLog -- Toddle in the City is a fantastic initiative designed to encourage children to widen their awareness of the urban environment, as well as utilising their creativity.

Children – accompanied by their favourite adult - are given a digital camera and taken on a Treasure Hunt through an urban area of London, during which course founder, Yatwan Hui, introduces them to both the art and the architecture of the cityscape around them.

Toddle In The City photos have already appeared in one exhibition, and there are further plans for another in 2013. Yat also organises photo competitions for those participating.

Toddle In The City originated in Canary Wharf, but now runs at weekends at The Barbican, with a new route being introduced later this year.

This Summer, Yat has been working in conjunction with Haringey Council and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) to bring this project to Tottenham, offering free Toddle In The City sessions to local residents as part of Summer on the Green; a local initiative aimed at children on Tottenham Green East.

She says “Last summer's riots touched me deeply as I was very saddened to see some people so frustrated with where they live that they would go and destroy their own communities.”

“I am very optimistic for the future as the children I have worked with so far are very curious and enthusiastic during the treasure hunts in Tottenham. It's been great seeing them discover hidden gems on their High Streets and seeing their local areas with new eyes.”

The Tottenham photos will be judged by a panel of local personalities, including Chungwen Li, Dean of Ming-Ai Education Institute, Robert Waite, Curator at Bruce Castle Museum and Marc Dorfman, Assistant Director of Planning at Haringey Council.

Prizes for the winning children are VTech Kidizoom Twist digital cameras and bicycles.

Yatwan Hui is no stranger to urban design, having spent her early years amongst the skyscrapers in Hong Kong before moving to Britain. After studying architecture at The University of Bath and then taking a Masters in Sustainable Urban Design at Lund University, Sweden, she has developed a passion for the interaction between city dwellers and their urban environment.

She formed the company Urban Beings in 2010; a research and education organisation that has, amongst other clients, assisted the Greater London Authority with their regeneration strategies for Lee Valley and Tottenham. In the aftermath of the Tottenham Riots 2011, she launched an independent analysis of the built environment and its impact upon social issues in the area.



Toddle in the City in Tottenham [Free]:

Saturday 14th, Sunday 15th and Saturday 21st July at 2:30pm, Tottenham Green East
Tottenham Photo Competition Prize Giving; Sunday 22nd July, 2:30pm, Tottenham Green East.
Suitable for children up to age 10.

Toddle in the City at The Barbican [£15 per child]:

Every Saturday and Sunday at 11am, The Barbican
Suitable for children up to age 5.

For more information and to book your child’s place, go to www.urbanbeings.co.uk