2024 - 2027
Circular Society Innovations for place-based equitable, inclusive & environmentally sustainable living
|
Circular Society Innovation (CSI) adopts a place-based approach that prioritises social justice and well-being within the circular economy, moving beyond purely economic and environmental considerations. It highlights the need to intentionally design-in social objectives into circular initiatives, focusing on dimensions such as foregrounding social imperatives and prioritising quality job creation. The project aims to explore how places can become more equitable and sustainable through CSI, using Greater Manchester as a primary case study to develop recommendations for scaling these initiatives, ultimately aiming to deliver social outcomes alongside the typical environmental and economic benefits. Funding: ESRC, £1.1m More information: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ES%2FZ502820%2F1 |
2019 - 2024
National High Streets Task Force for England
|
The High Streets Task Force (HSTF) was a UK government-funded program that provides guidance and resources to help revitalize high streets in England. The HSTF was established in 2019 by the Ministry for Housing, Communities, and Local Government and aimed to build sustainable placemaking skills in 150 high streets across England. The Taskforce provided tools, advice, and training to help local authorities, communities, and partnerships, shared information and data to inform high street policy and practice, built placemaking skills through workshops and training, and coordinated positive messages about the high street. This work led to several outcomes, such as increased local authority capacity for high street transformation, improved collaboration between local authorities, and raised capacity and confidence of local stakeholders to continue to improve their high streets. The Taskforce created an online resource library for high streets, now available in the National Archive, and produced a COVID-19 recovery framework. The HSTF was established in response to an independent report by Sir John Timpson on the challenges facing town centres . The IPM a consortium of 13 organizations that won the competitive tender to run the HSTF. Funding: MHCLG, £9m For more information see: The High Street Report and the High Street 2030 Report https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-high-street-report |
2022
Booksellers as Placemakers
|
This report explores the vital role bookshops play in the vitality and viability of high streets in the UK and Ireland, particularly in the post-pandemic context. Commissioned by the Booksellers Association, it examines how booksellers contribute to key elements like diversity, merchandise quality, and overall attractiveness of their locations. Through surveys and interviews, the research demonstrates that booksellers actively engage with their communities, supporting local causes, promoting collaborative marketing, and even influencing local policy. The report concludes that bookshops exhibit characteristics like adaptability and community engagement, and suggests that if more retailers adopted similar practices, it would aid with the revitalisation of town centres. |
2016
Multifunctional Centres – a sustainable role for town and city centres
|
This report explores the changing role of town and city centres, arguing for a shift away from a singular focus on retail towards multifunctional centres. It highlights the forces driving this renaissance, including population changes, convenience culture, and the rise of internet retailing. The report introduces a new classification system for town and city centres based on their activity profiles – Comparison, Holiday, Speciality, and Convenience/Community – and links these profiles to performance indicators like footfall. Ultimately, it emphasizes the need for flexible management and marketing strategies that embrace temporary uses and community involvement to create sustainable and vibrant town centres. See also: High Street UK2020 |
2015
Markets Matter: reviewing the evidence and detecting the market effect
|
This report, "Markets Matter," commissioned by the National Association of British Market Authorities, investigates the economic, social, and political contributions of markets to towns and cities. It uses published evidence and footfall data to demonstrate that markets are not just historical relics but vital components of a healthy urban environment. The research highlights how markets boost local economies by providing employment, incubating small businesses, increasing retail sales, and generating significant turnover. Furthermore, the study shows that markets serve as social hubs, fostering community cohesion, preserving local identity, and offering access to affordable goods. Ultimately, the report advocates for recognising and supporting markets as key assets for town and city centres. This report, "Markets Matter," commissioned by the National Association of British Market Authorities, investigates the economic, social, and political contributions of markets to towns and cities. It uses published evidence and footfall data to demonstrate that markets are not just historical relics but vital components of a healthy urban environment. The research highlights how markets boost local economies by providing employment, incubating small businesses, increasing retail sales, and generating significant turnover. Furthermore, the study shows that markets serve as social hubs, fostering community cohesion, preserving local identity, and offering access to affordable goods. Ultimately, the report advocates for recognising and supporting markets as key assets for town and city centres. See also: High Street UK2020 |
2014 - 2015
High Street UK 2020
|
The High Street UK 2020 (HSUK2020) project aimed to apply existing academic knowledge about retail and high street change to improve local decision-making and high street vitality. The project identified 201 factors influencing town centre success through literature review, then narrowed these down to the top 25 priorities for action using expert consensus. A key finding was the development of a strategic regeneration framework (4Rs) based on repositioning, reinventing, rebranding, and restructuring, demonstrating the practical impact on various towns. It distinguishes between the processes of:
Ultimately, the research highlights the value of knowledge exchange projects in translating theory into practice, rather than creating more unused theoretical frameworks. Funding: ESRC, £112k For more information about the project: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ES%2FL005182%2F1 Read the academic research: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/jpmd-03-2017-0032/full/html See also: 25 Priorities Interventions 4Rs Framework |