www.parkbenchtv.org is a local community and public art project, covering the area in and around Bedford Square working with the local community in the area via the internet.

Park Bench TV is a fusion of a localised internet media channel and local community forum, and outside wireless internet access popint – all centred on and around our local park bench in Central London, UK.

It is cited in Bedford Square just off Tottenham Court Road.

Our postcode is: WC1B 3ES Map position

The GPS position is:

N 51°31.093'

W 00°07.810'

Aims

We are aiming to provide a local community and communication service to local people in and around Bedford Square; a way of finding out about local issues, and meeting people who live and work in the area. We are providing a FREE wireless internet connection point for people who have laptops. This is free and accessible within range of a park bench on the south side of the square.

What we aim to do

We are using wireless internet technology in the local area, and are making media programmes specific to the area and the vicinty of the bench – with the aim of exploring wireless technolgies, giving public access to the internet, and building links into the local community, and ultimately provide a working model for regeneration and community that can be used and reapplied in other locations.

How we repaired the bench

Both the park benches had been in a terrible state. They are used frequently by the local workers for lunch , but also by many tourists and visitors to the area.We decided to make the least amount of intervention to the bench itself.

We have fixed the bench to stop if from wobbling and make it less dangerous, and we have replaced a plank that was completely missing with a new piece of oak. The benches were very unstable and have been neglected for many years, despite their popularity.

This new plank has been used to become a form of signage, and show people that you they are in a wi-fi area and this also provides a visual point of reference for the area, and the changes to the location.

How can I become involved

We want local people to become part of this project. If you are local to the are the best way to become involved is to join the forum. This allows you to ask questions and discuss the project.

If you are from outside the area or from another country, you can also join the forum. You interests may not be about specifics of the local area, but you may visit in then future, or you might like to make your own terraportal.

Participants and Partners

www.parkbenchtv.org is a Communications Specal Project 2002 -2003 devised and directed by Pete Gomes for the Architectural Association School of Architecture at 36 Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3ES

The partcipants are:

Pete Gomes, Panos Hadjichristofis, Michele Pasca, Marc Fornes, Viviana Muscettola, Maria Gonopolskaya, Matthew Murphy,