Waterden Green Space for Teenage Girls, London Borough of Newham for London Legacy Development Corporation and Elevate with Studio Gil, Black Females in Architecture, Untitled Practice, Light Follows Behaviour and Simple Works

Within Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the project addressed the lack of public spaces for teenagers, especially girls aged 12-18, by creating flexible, collective spaces for hanging out, aligned with the Creating Places that Work for Women and Girls handbook. Young co-clients developed leadership and advocacy skills, building confidence to influence future projects and ensuring the spaces met the needs of their demographic.

Who is on the project?

LLDC

Elevate

Studio Gil

Untitled Practice

Black Females in Architecture

Simple Works

Light Follows Behaviour

Describe the context of this project and its neighbourhood and people. 

Located within the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (QEOP) in East London, near the Eastwick and Sweetwater neighbourhoods, Waterden Green sits at the heart of a vibrant and evolving community. With a diverse population that includes residents, schoolchildren, youth-groups, and global visitors, young people form a significant demographic in the area. Despite QEOP’s expansive green spaces and popular facilities, the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) recognised a critical gap: the absence of public spaces tailored to teenagers—particularly girls aged 12–18. Teenage girls face unique challenges in finding spaces that are safer, welcoming, and empowering. LLDC embraced its responsibility to address this imbalance, striving to create an inclusive public realm that meets their needs and amplifies their voices. Waterden Green addresses these gaps by centring the lived experiences of teenage girls. Through a pioneering co-clienting approach with Elevate Youth Voice, girls have shaped the vision and design of the space from the ground up. Collaborative engagement with wider community groups of children and the design team has reimagined Waterden Green as a child-friendly space where safety, belonging, and agency for girls are addressed—while also creating a more inclusive and activated public realm for all. Located within an area of significant redevelopment, the project seizes the opportunity to embed child- friendly driven design into an evolving urban context. By putting teenage girls at the centre of the process, Waterden Green sets a new benchmark for inclusive urban planning—redefining what it means to co-create spaces where young people can thrive.

Tell us what you did and how it created a child-friendly place. For example, how does it support the rights of the child to rest, relax, play and to take part in cultural and creative activities in a safe and clean environment?

Waterden Green redefines child-friendly spaces by prioritising the voices of children. Initial designs in 2021 revealed that traditional consultation methods failed to meet their needs. In 2022, LLDC adopted a co-clienting approach, partnering with seven girls and young women from Elevate Youth Voice. This co-client team ensured that young people directly influenced decision-making, embedding their lived experiences into every stage of the project. The young co-clients collaborated with LLDC to define 12 design principles focusing on safety, inclusivity, adaptability, and aesthetics. They also participated in selecting the design team, ensuring expertise in creating spaces for girls. Engagement expanded to girls aged 12–16 from local schools and community groups, uncovering their needs and aspirations for the park. Recognising “hanging-out” as a legitimate activity, the designs prioritise flexible, collective spaces. Key features include an amphitheatre for sharing ideas, weather-protected smaller spaces, and a multifunctional taller landmark structure for climbing, gathering, and creative expression. Adaptable furniture, pastel colours, and nature-infused elements, including low-allergen planting, further reflect the girls’ feedback. Wayfinding details—such as walking distances, toilet opening hours, etc. The space is set into the wider Park and ensures overlooking, clear sightlines, and activation of footpaths to address safety needs. 

How did the project make a positive social and environmental contribution in the context of child health childhood and wellbeing

The project directly enhances teenage girls’ mental and physical health by addressing safety concerns and fostering belonging. Research highlights a significant drop in girls’ participation in public spaces during adolescence. Waterden Green counters this by creating a welcoming environment that supports teenage girls to spend time with friends, connect with nature, and be themselves. The project raised awareness of gender disparities in urban spaces, inspiring stakeholders to prioritise inclusivity in design. Its co-clienting approach empowered teenage girls to shape the space, ensuring their needs were embedded at every stage. This focus on lived experience redefines how public spaces support health and wellbeing throughout adolescence. Environmentally, the design integrates sustainable materials, biodiverse landscaping, and connections to the wider park. By encouraging outdoor activities, the project promotes engagement with nature while supporting physical activity. Features like low-allergen planting and flexible spaces prioritise accessibility and environmental sensitivity. Although implementation is ongoing, the project’s legacy lies in its co-clienting process. Young co-clients gained leadership and advocacy skills, building confidence to influence future projects. This capacity-building fosters a new generation of changemakers who can advocate for inclusive, child-friendly urban spaces. The replicable principles developed during the project establish a benchmark for designing equitable public spaces, ensuring Waterden Green’s social and environmental impact extends beyond its immediate context.