Reimagine Place

One of the things we’ve come to enjoy most in recent years is hearing young people’s views on how future towns should be designed. For too long this vital group has been ignored and that’s why we have far too many town centres stuck in the 20th century and failing to meet modern needs. So it was a real pleasure to spend some time speaking to teenagers at Rotherham College this week as part of a development project we are doing with Next Phase. Huge credit should go to the Director of Campus, Keith Sanderson, for setting up a student stakeholder group to encourage young people to have their say on urban development. Every town in the UK should have a college doing the same. The students were a real credit to the college and they spoke passionately and eloquently about their town, their hopes for the future and what would make them stay, instead of leaving at the first opportunity as most planned to do when completing their studies. Their voices mirrored trends we have heard in similar conversations across the country this year – in Cornwall, East Manchester and Telford.  They did not feel a sense of belonging, said they “had nowhere to go” and many, particularly women, felt unsafe. Interestingly, when pressed on what they’d like to see, no one mentioned retail. When we raised it, we were told “you get all that online”. Instead, they wanted to see better food and drink options, more sport, leisure, culture and play areas. In short, they had a clear vision of the post retail landscape that all towns will soon have to embrace. Indeed, only this week, a House of Lords report acknowledged that “the dominance of retail on high streets is something of the past.” Research shows that towns are getting older and young people are feeling compelled to move to cities. Some would argue that it’s always been like this. But at a time when house prices and rents in larger metropolitan areas are out of reach for many, there is a golden opportunity to give younger people a bigger stake in reshaping their communities and to create places where everyone feels a sense of belonging. And by injecting some vibrancy into towns in the process, we could start to reverse a well-documented sense of decline. This is something I’m sure most would support. But the first step is to stop ignoring young people and start taking their views seriously. #Rotherham #Youngpeople #Regeneration #highstreets

After several months of talking to residents, businesses, community groups and others in Nelson, we've written a joint blog with Lauren Newby for the Institute of Place Management to reflect on the future of the Long Term Plan for Towns. We now have a new government in place but encouraging towns to develop a compelling vision so they are prepared for the future and making sure every place has a long term plan should remain an urgent priority. https://lnkd.in/e52ua3ta #regeneration #towns #localgovernment

We have been asked to contribute a regular column to The Landscaper and we kick off with a piece looking at a relatively new phenomena that's been creating controversial headlines in urban place making. Yes, you guessed it: parklets. The Taxpayers Alliance hate them. And so do some residents. But the best ones are widely enjoyed and can play an important role in bringing communities together. Here's a few simple do's and don'ts to add value to places and avoid creating eyesores. Let us know if there are any special examples near to you. Full article 👉 https://lnkd.in/eaV-aGQ5 #reimagineplace #landscaper #publicrealm #parklets #urbandesign #regeneration

Building better places, increasing people’s sense of belonging and boosting civic pride will continue to be an uphill battle as long as we devalue arts and culture. As towns and cities strive to retain their vibrancy in challenging economic times, Laura Bell from the Reimagine Place team sheds light on a critical issue facing our urban landscapes: the impact of cuts to arts and culture funding. Understanding the consequences of these reductions is more crucial than ever. From the evolving perspectives on cultural investment to the profound implications on community cohesion and local economies, Laura offers an in-depth analysis of what's at stake and how the arts contribute not only to the cultural fabric, but the resilience of our towns and cities in the post-pandemic era. Read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/ghGV52SM #UrbanDevelopment #CulturalSustainability #ReimaginePlace #EconomicResilience #ArtsandCulture #TownCentres #Regeneration

After years of resistance, there’s now a growing acceptance that towns need to develop long-term plans to revive their fortunes. But where do you start to get your place plans right? In a remarkable shift from past scepticism, the importance of long-term planning for town development is gaining widespread acceptance. From Bill Grimsey's initial call for a 20-year vision to the UK Government's recent Long Term Plan for Towns initiative, the narrative around urban regeneration is evolving. We delve into the transformative journey of town planning, highlighting how local leadership, community-led initiatives, and outcome-based interventions are key to revitalising our urban landscapes. Discover how this approach is not just about creating vibrant places but is becoming a critical factor in economic development and attracting talent post-pandemic. Read more here 👉 https://lnkd.in/e6zcpjVz #UrbanRegeneration #TownPlanning #CommunityDevelopment #EconomicDevelopment #SustainableCities

After years of resistance, there’s now a growing acceptance that towns need to develop long-term plans to revive their fortunes. But where do you start to get your place plans right? In a remarkable shift from past scepticism, the importance of long-term planning for town development is gaining widespread acceptance. From Bill Grimsey's initial call for a 20-year vision to the UK Government's recent Long Term Plan for Towns initiative, the narrative around urban regeneration is evolving. We delve into the transformative journey of town planning, highlighting how local leadership, community-led initiatives, and outcome-based interventions are key to revitalising our urban landscapes. Discover how this approach is not just about creating vibrant places but is becoming a critical factor in economic development and attracting talent post-pandemic. Read more here 👉 https://lnkd.in/e6zcpjVz #UrbanRegeneration #TownPlanning #CommunityDevelopment #EconomicDevelopment #SustainableCities