Key themes

living

We discussed the growth of Build to Rent, the repurposing of retail buildings to residential, and the impact of hybrid working has changed the dynamic of future developments. Changing social attitudes has impacted our living model in town centres and cities and how people interact with the space.

Living was our key theme for January-March Here’s what you missed.

Lead contact – Kate Brennan.

retail & leisure

As we continue to adapt post-pandemic and post-Brexit, the future of retail faces a number of challenges in order to continue to survive. The ongoing impact of online shopping on brick and mortar, the importance of flexibility of space and leasing models as well as the role of the night-time economy are just some of the areas as we look at how people live and play in our communities.

Retail & Leisure was our theme for April-June. Here’s what you missed.

Lead contact – Tim Hayns

healthcare

After first successfully exploring the role of Retail & Leisure in our Towns of Tomorrow, including the launch of our Sheffield City Centre case study, we turned our focus to the Healthcare sector and the role it plays in the future of UK’s Town Centres.

Healthcare is an increasing concern and a vital service for local communities. With an ageing population, we must review our approach to how health services are delivered and the importance of integrated health on the high street.

We were delighted to share our “Health on the High Street” roundtable video as part of the Healthcare focus of our campaign. This engaging discussion delves into the UK High Street’s decline and the potential avenues it opens up for the Healthcare sector.

Healthcare was our theme for July-September. Here’s what you missed.

Lead contact – Bhavini Shah

transport

Transport links have been a driving issue across the UK to improve accessibility and widespread connectivity to areas of living, working and socialising. There is a need for a creative way to look at the challenges faced – what is the role of train stations? How do we deliver schemes attached to the network? How do we utilise the land around transport hubs, and what is the cost of congestion in the centres?

In a video case study, we explored with Network Rail how, with our stations, we can drive initiatives forward and ensure our towns and cities of tomorrow are futureproofed through regeneration, placemaking, movement of goods and sustainability. This was the third in our Towns of Tomorrow video series campaign.

Transport was our theme for October-December. Here’s what you missed.

Lead contacts – David Mabb and Victoria Bell.

overlapping themes

work

The pandemic has been the biggest catalyst to changing our working patterns in a generation, and as businesses continue to adapt, the future of work in our towns and cities continues to evolve. Gone are the days of traditional office space and occupancy. Greater pressure is placed on mixed-use development, the need to meet sustainability EPC credentials, access to transport links and demand for housing (yet a fine balance with necessary local employment) – are a few of the many issues facing our town centres.

Lead contact – Tom Paton-Smith

sustainability

The issue of sustainability touches all aspects of the built environment. From the places we live and visit, to where we work, the services we use and the environment we enjoy. Our town centres present an important role in driving forward much-needed improvements across all aspects of the ESG agenda.

Lead contact – Jon Bradburn

get in touch to explore more on our towns of tomorrow campaign