National Growth Areas Alliance (NGAA)’s Post

🌟 Brent Cross Town - Creating Flourishing Communities 🌟 I’ve got a special connection to the Brent Cross Town project. From the new towers rising from the old industrial area, I’m reminded of where my parents first met—my dad driving buses in the 60s and my mum working at Collindale Hospital. I can also see the area where they were married—coincidentally, the same place where I was married—and the park where I taught my daughters to ride their bikes and bowl leg breaks. Although I was born in Willesden, my parents decided to move to Bedfordshire for what they hoped would be better opportunities, leading me to grow up in the small village of Toddington—the same village as Kevin McCloud. I often reflect on how different my life might have been if we had stayed in Willesden and if the opportunities my parents thought were lacking in the 1970s had existed. That’s why working on Brent Cross Town and contributing to the Flourishing Index feels so meaningful to me. It’s a way to connect my personal history with the future of the area. What excites me about Brent Cross Town is more than just the redevelopment. It’s about creating a community where people have access to opportunity—to green spaces, a healthy lifestyle, and the chance to thrive—elements that everyone deserves. Here’s to a future where Brent Cross Town can be a beacon for creating flourishing communities and a place where everyone has the chance to succeed! 🌳🏙️ Check out the full document and see how Related Argent plan to turn this vision into reality: https://lnkd.in/dSdsCB-s #BrentCrossTown #CommunityRevitalisation #UrbanDevelopment #CreatingSpaces #LevelingUp

🏗 🏡 🌳 In the last few months we've completed our latest round of assessments of the impact of regeneration on Woodberry Down and Grahame Park - and started work on new projects in two new (for us) estates, Clapham Park in Lambeth and Cambridge Road in Kingston-upon-Thames. As housing policy shifts and we focus on how to build more homes we can learn from our work on regeneration schemes - developing policy for the future to create homes and communities, building on local areas' social and environmental assets. We have long-term ongoing relationships with these places, communities and agencies. We've been in South Acton and Woodberry for nearly a decade. The measurements we use most often – ability to influence, belonging, strength of relationships with neighbours, social integration and community cohesion, wellbeing, loneliness, fear of crime and financial precarity – are central to social impact strategies that focus on place and community. We have been looking at the impact of estate regeneration programmes that started over 15 years ago. They are the products of their time and the imperatives that drove past housing policy. As well as lessons for each area there are important messages for regeneration programmes being developed today. We believe we need to pay more attention to: 🎉 safeguarding the social and environmental assets of local areas, to build on what is protective and supports people to thrive in what can be difficult circumstances 🌇 meeting the needs of residents in different circumstances including people without housing or employment security  🛶 raising our collective game to minimise the negative environmental consequences of demolition and rebuilding, making better decisions about the balance between social, environmental and economic trade offs. There are transferrable lessons for housing policy. Investment today has to work for the future of communities and neighbourhoods and avoid the mistakes of the past. Full blog here https://lnkd.in/ebqUzbZJ #socialsustainability #estateregeneration #newhomes #wellbeing

Transferrable lessons for housing policy from our work on regeneration schemes over a decade. We need to pay more attention to: 🎉 safeguarding the social and environmental assets of local areas, building on what is protective and supporting people to thrive 🌇 meeting the needs of people in different social and life circumstances  🛶 raising our collective game to minimise the environmental consequences of demolition and rebuilding, making better decisions about the balance between social, environmental and economic trade offs. New blog below ...

A major Milestone for the Gilston Area Community 🏡 We’re thrilled to share formal planning permission has been granted by East Herts District Council for Places for People to deliver 8,500 new homes, alongside essential Community amenities and infrastructure across six villages in the Gilston area. This project is about more than just homes – it’s about creating thriving, sustainable Communities that stand the test of time. Here’s what’s coming: ✅ New schools: Primary and secondary to support future generations. ✅ Health and wellbeing facilities: Keeping Communities strong and supported. ✅ Sustainable transport: Innovative solutions to keep us moving green. ✅ Economic boost: Jobs and £1bn invested in local infrastructure. Greg Reed, our Chief Executive Officer, said: “Today marks a significant milestone for this once-in-a-generation opportunity and shows our key role in ensuring that much-needed homes are delivered in East Herts.” Find out more about how we’re making a difference: https://bit.ly/4fRyfnh #BecauseCommunityMatters #GilstonArea #UKHousing #Developments #Sustainability

I don't know the ins and outs of this particular case, but there are two things I do know. One: deep down we are all NIMBYs. Every one of us. We just are. Nobody wants what they don't want in their own back yard. Doesn't matter if we're talking about campgrounds or social service shelters or community gardens or anything else. Most of the time, people live where they live because they like it just the way it is and don't want some big unexpected development to come along and upend it. We mostly don't like change. I'm as NIMBY as anyone else. Two: some people just live to be obstructionists. It's their whole identity. They don't know who to be if they're not finding some project that brings joy and prosperity to others and then looking for ways to squash it (always in the name of 'progress' of course). Once they squash something, they're not satisfied; they just keep looking until they find something else to squash. I'll almost certainly never be a councillor (no interest and not that popular), but if I were, my default position would be pro-development. My philosophy is that it takes way more effort to be somebody who wants to build and create things than it does to be someone who just wants to shut them down. And so the obstructionists had better show up at the table with an ironclad case for why something shouldn't proceed, or else I'd give it the big green stamp. Towns in the Annapolis Valley have major population growth plans in the coming decades, which will have upsides and downsides, so I'm sure we can expect a lot more of this kind of thing. #nimby #development #tourism #novascotia #business

We’re delighted to see that planning permission has been granted for Places for People to deliver a once-in-a-generation development at Gilston Park Estate. This transformative project will bring 8,500 new homes, community infrastructure and immeasurable health, wellbeing and economic benefits to the Gilston area, with an additional 1,500 homes at Gilston Village 7.   At Meeting Place, we’ve been working closely with Places for People to help bring this vision to life through strategic engagement and ongoing collaboration.   Here’s what this exciting development includes: ✅ Six new villages, each designed to blend seamlessly with the landscape and foster strong community ties. ✅ New schools, primary and secondary, to nurture future generations. ✅ Health and wellbeing facilities, ensuring thriving, resilient communities. ✅ Sustainable transport solutions, supporting green, accessible travel. ✅ A £1bn investment in local infrastructure and a boost to local jobs. Click below to read more...

Exploring Kent's HMOs: The Rise of Shared Living Spaces and Community Concerns. More details on https://lnkd.in/eCaiQj8t - In recent years, Kent has witnessed a significant increase in the number of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), with nearly 2,000 of these shared living spaces currently in operation throughout the region. Defined as properties accommodating occupants from more than one household, HMOs are becoming an alternative living arrangement, especially for younger individuals and low-income tenants. This article delves into the dynamics of HMOs in Kent, spotlighting the social and community implications of these properties, particularly those accommodating a large number of residents. Current examples include a striking 52-bedroom HMO in Folkestone and a sizeable 40-bedroom establishment in Gravesend. As we explore interviews and perspectives from tenants, landlords, and local politicians, we raise critical questions regarding the management and regulatory frameworks surrounding HMOs and assess their impact on community welfare and urban landscapes.

Land use management supports children's well being and community growth. As our cities grow, how do we ensure that they remain sustainable, accessible, and inclusive for all, especially our children? We effectively plan our cities. Effective urban planning requires a strategic blend of approaches. When we use strategies like transit-oriented development or targeted densification we create more friendly urban spaces. For example, take the case of Waterloo, Canada. They do children focused planning. Through these community driven initiatives Waterloo has created a more supportive environment for children and families which advancedly enhance social interactions and long term community well being. Our team is committed to integrating these innovative land-use strategies to ensure cities that cater to everyone, particularly children. Together we can transform urban environments. #urbanplanning #landusemanagement #communitydevelopment #sustainablecities #inclusivecommunities #childfriendlycities #urbaninnovation #neighborhoodplanning #cityplanning #communityengagement

Old Ottawa East is more than just a beautiful neighbourhood—it's a sanctuary for retirees seeking peace and a sense of community. 🌳 The parks in this area are stunning and serve as perfect spots for walks or simply unwinding. For those looking into downsizing from a large home to a cozy condo, the peaceful parks here add immense value to everyday living. Here's why retirees love these parks: 🍁 Springhurst Park: With its scenic walking trails and picturesque spots for a picnic, it's a little slice of paradise. 🌸 Brantwood Park: Offers spaces for light exercise and a welcoming environment for connecting with other local residents. 🌿 The Rideau River Nature Trail: This offers the calming sound of flowing water along with rich greenery on each side—a perfect spot for a leisurely stroll. Choosing a place with access to these parks can make downsizing a delightful part of retirement, not just a decision. Have you visited any of these parks? Which is your favourite spot to relax in Ottawa?