JTP is a practice of architects and placemakers with extensive experience of delivering successful projects throughout the UK and internationally. JTP’s Managing Partner Marcus Adams recently joined the international lineup of speakers in Galway, Ireland to highlight the critical role innovative co-design and engagement plays in shaping lifelong, liveable neighbourhoods. The second Royal Institute of Architects Ireland (RIAI) and Academy of Urbanism (AoU) conference on contemporary urban development took place on 29 and 30 May 2024 at the Hardiman Hotel in Galway city centre.
The design of new and regenerated neighbourhoods should be a truly collaborative journey – it is one that reflects and serves the people and communities that help shape them.
Asked to respond to the outcomes from a one-day pre-conference workshop which highlighted the big issues faced by Galway’s historic Woodquay community, including provision of affordable housing and place management, Marcus examined the processes, challenges and opportunities in planning and delivering new and regenerated neighbourhoods for the 21st Century. He set out five key steps based on JTP’s unique experience over 30 years and explained how collaborative placemaking can pave the way for neighbourhoods that are not only functional and beautiful, but also inclusive and long-lasting.
- Community aspirations & participatory design
The foundation of any successful place lies in understanding the needs and uncovering the aspirations of the community it serves. Participatory design is the cornerstone of JTP’s approach, ensuring that we consider each voice and perspective involved. JTP champions co-design processes, facilitating engagement with communities, stakeholders, and local authorities in the visioning, planning and design of their places. This approach leads to more relevant and innovative solutions, as local knowledge and insights guide the project from its inception. It not only fosters a sense of ownership within the community, but also ensures that final designs and strategies are reflective of collective needs and aspirations.
- Co-creating a long-term vision
Once we have a thorough understanding of the community’s needs and aspirations, we work collaboratively to create a long-term vision. This illustrated vision serves as a roadmap, guiding future design and development decisions, encompassing not only the physical aspects of the project but also the social, economic, and environmental goals of the community. This long-term vision is not static and can be re-visited; it evolves with the community, allowing for continuous improvement and adaptation.
- Building trust with open communication and early action
In the initial stages of a project, early engagement, open communication, and transparency are key to building trust. Successful processes maintain regular updates and involve community members along every step of the design journey, ensuring that they are informed and engaged. Identifying and delivering “early win” projects and maintaining an open dialogue help cement relationships and shape positive, ongoing collaboration.
- Control over delivery
Empowering the community with control over key elements of a project is an important aspect of delivery. Community-led development ensures that the project remains aligned with the community’s aspirations and fosters a sense of pride and responsibility, ensuring the long-term success of the place. In particular, ensuring that housing provision provides for households of all incomes and striving to plug any gaps is key to sustaining strong, balanced communities.
- Community stewardship
An effective, long-term management structure can be key in ensuring the continued legacy of effective and efficient place management services for communities, encouraging ownership and delivering accountability at a local level. It is important to consider future management as an integral aspect of placemaking.
Marcus went on to describe how JTP’s true success is measured by the lasting impact of our work. By nurturing a culture of stewardship, we help communities build resilience and self-sufficiency. On a number of our projects such as St Clement’s Hospital in Bow, Graylingwell Park in Chichester, and Caddington Woods in Central Bedfordshire, Community Development Trusts (CDT) and Community Land Trusts (CLT) have been established. These Trusts are ultimately charged with empowering people by developing skills and supporting projects that respond to local needs and create facilities and employment and, critically, build community spirit. A Trust may be endowed with housing and community buildings, facilities, and landscaped spaces on the site, such as community gardens or allotments. It is also typically responsible for overseeing the place management company in the maintenance and management of the public realm.
The design of new and regenerated neighbourhoods should be a truly collaborative journey. It is one that reflects and serves the people and communities that help shape them, enabling local people to be enthused, inspired and encouraged to participate in the planning and design process of their communities.
Reflecting on the Woodquay neighbourhood, this is an historic waterside community facing the challenges of being located in a fast-changing, modernising city with a growing education and tourism sector. At the workshop the residential community expressed a desire to play a positive role in this change whilst retaining and enhancing the character and quality of the neighbourhood. Participants from the younger generation, however, expressed serious doubts about their future in the city due to the severe lack of truly affordable housing. It will only be by working collaboratively to address the needs of the existing community and providing for the balanced provision of decent homes and community spaces and places that the challenges and opportunities of the future will be successfully addressed.
You can find out more about the conference by visiting the Academy of Urbanism website here.