A patient approach to approach to creating communities.
Client: Farrer and Adam Architecture
Date: 2021 - 2023
Services: Research
Future Places Studio have written two reports on behalf of Farrer and Adam Architecture exploring modern, successful community developments and the lessons they can teach us as we seek to create more convivial and resilient communities.
As the country strives to build 300,000 new homes per year, new neighbourhoods should draw from the best examples from our recent past; the UK’s housing crisis is as much about the quality of our homes and communities as it is about lack of numbers.
If the UK is to avoid the blight of poorly designed, soulless dormitory towns in coming decades, landowners, developers, and local authorities need to prioritise a more patient and collaborative approach to community development. That involves:
Taking a long-term view at the outset of a project.
Accepting a deferred return on investment, which can lead to greater long-term revenues.
Measuring the success of developments through a social and environmental lens (in addition to return on capital or profit).
Prioritising the design and community building of a scheme through a masterplan and design codes.
Placing greater emphasis on community and local authority co-creation.
Re-thinking the business-as-usual approach to social housing, streets, mixed-use, green spaces and social infrastructure.
Putting in place a stewardship model to maintain the on-going quality of the place.
Prioritising community health, wellbeing and social cohesion through best practice design solutions.
