Understanding Milton Keynes (2/2)

Much like The Open University, its home Milton Keynes took a less than conventional approach to the existing norms when it was designed.
Very few places in England elicit the type of response that you might get when you mention the words Milton Keynes, like the Royal family the very existence of Milton Keynes is considered contentious and many people have very strong opinions about whether it should exist at all.
For some the idea that a group of town planners could create a purposed built city over the course of a few decades that hasn’t evolved over hundreds of years feels unnatural and even borders on blasphemous.
But in a country where the government is struggling to manage an ever-increasing population could the ideas behind Milton Keynes be more important than ever before.
To mark the 50th anniversary of Milton Keynes The Open University has made the documentary; Understanding Milton Keynes, a film that aims to deconstruct many of the myths that exist about the city and offer a thorough examination of the ideas, history and development of Milton Keynes divided into various sections, each one looking at a distinctively different facet of the city.
The videos explore everything from the sociological ideas behind the development of Milton Keynes, through to its commitment to public art and how organisations like The Parks Trust provide a unique model for maintaining green spaces.
Drone Footage supplied by Sky Cam Productions
www.skycamproductions.co.uk
(Part 2 of 2)
Playlist link - • Understanding Milton K...
Transcript - media-podcast.open.ac.uk/feed...
Learn more about MK from The Open University
Understanding MK hub
www.open.edu/openlearn/society...
Study a free course on Smart Cities
www.open.edu/openlearn/science...
The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high quality online degrees and distance learning, serving students across the globe with highly respected degree qualifications, and the triple accredited MBA. The OU teaches through its own unique method of distance learning, called ‘supported open learning’ and you do not need any formal qualifications to study with us, just commitment and a desire to find out what you are capable of.
---
Follow us on Twitter: / oufreelearning

[@stevegoodson9022]

Surprised they didn't mention the Stables, and excellent music and comedy venue, it's on the outskirts, but in terms of the current cultural landscape of MK it's a major asset. In the 80s and 90s there were several excellent small music venues which have mostly closed down. There's also the Milton Keynes bowl, but I suspect that all these things are a bit to lowbrow to register on the cultural radar of these presenters. There's a thriving local music scene, but their local venues are limited to a few pubs and clubs with tiny performance areas. Having said that, there are regular outdoor concerts in Campbell Park, which sometimes showcase local bands.

[@jchawthorn]

A very good explanation of why we love MK.

[@stevegoodson9022]

To be honest, you could live in MK for years without ever realising that the OU was based there. I think it's a shame that the university was so seperated from the city, and doesn't have many students on-site. Friend of mine got a degree in software engineering there, attending the campus for lectures, and got a fantastic education. The privatised bus system is appaling, I had to rely on it after I lost the ability to drive, I'd say that living in Milton Keynes without a car is almost impossible. The local council is clearly trying to cater to wealthy commuters, and those who can't afford to buy and maintain a car are out of luck. Regarding the immigration situation, the council very deliberately created a somalian area in Oldbrook, by moving new somali immigrants into the same area. The illegal drug trade was taken over by somalian gangs, leading to a massive increase in gang violence, including gun crime, with a fatal shooting occuring within a few yards of the house I was living in. If you search youtube you'll find many videos in which Milton Keynes gangs boast about their exploits. Try searching for 'Milton Keynes Drill' for some examples. When immigrants are moved into the community in a more rational way, they have always been welcomed in my experience, I've seen very little racism or anti-immigration sentiment.

[@greg_loper]

Please link to the Garith Jones video

[@OpenLearn_OU]

www.openartsarchive.org/archive/gareth-jones-%E2%80%98looking-milton-keynes%E2%80%99

[@goesbysteve]

In reference to lack of independent outlets. It’s typical, and un-useful , of planners and academics to answer residents criticism by telling them they don’t understand what they were trying to do.