From Concrete to Community.
PARTNERSHIP X PLACEMAKING - IMPACT THROUGH COLLABORATION
Creating a new conversation around placemaking, unlocking place potential and enacting change are the foundations of Cura’s raison d’être. Once again, we were delighted to be joined by a cross-section of experts to talk about what makes partnerships successful to create thriving places.
Architects, local authorities, BIDs, developers, landlords, charities, community engagement specialists got together and dived into the challenges and successes of building partnerships that make cities more liveable, inclusive, and connected.
Why Partnerships Matter
We explored the many forms partnerships can take, from public-private collaborations to alliances between landlords, occupiers, social enterprises, SMEs, and charities. All of which require ongoing dialogue to understand the DNA of a place. At its core, urban development isn’t just about erecting buildings; it’s about fostering thriving communities.
What did we take away from the conversation? Long-term stewardship and authentic community engagement is what creates lasting value, and open-source collaboration is the way forward!
The Challenges We Face
Establishing positive and mutually beneficial partnerships is not without challenges.
Measuring impact: How do you prove the social value of a public park or a community arts space? Finding ways to quantify social and economic impact remains a major challenge. Developers and councils alike struggle to create metrics that capture long-term benefits for communities.
Community fatigue and mistrust All too often, communities are asked for their input without ever seeing results. It’s exhausting — and it damages trust. Repeated consultations without visible results can diminish public trust and participation.
Lack of long-term vision: Many projects suffer from a short-term, site-specific focus. Without coordination across developments, communities often end up with disconnected, disjointed public spaces. Without a clear vision, cities end up with fragmented, poorly integrated spaces.
Fragmented accountability: Promises made during the planning phase sometimes get lost along the way, leaving communities without the improvements they were promised. Developers, councils, and other stakeholders often operate in silos, making it difficult to ensure long-term stewardship and accountability.
Moving Forward:
A key mechanism to ensure the delivery of agreed social value outcomes is S106. The Home Builders Federation report published in October 2024 estimated that LAs in England and Wales are sitting on over £8 billion of S106 and CIL monies. How can we better leverage these funds to hold both developers and local councils accountable to deliver improvements that genuinely serve the community?
Imagine an open-source database holding consultation and community engagement data as a way to reduce redundancy, enhance transparency and accelerate progress. Stakeholders could collaborate more freely to create shared value for all - a collective consciousness of community insights!
Embracing Long-Term Stewardship
A consistent theme throughout the discussion was the importance of long-term vision. Developers need to consider the legacy of their projects that will shape communities for decades to come.
Public sector leadership is equally as, if not more crucial. Councils need to take on more active stewardship roles, ensuring stakeholders meet their commitments and community benefits are delivered as promised.
It’s About the Long Game
Having a shared vision, engaging the community from the outset, and maintaining accountability are non-negotiable.
Ultimately, the most successful cities are built through collaboration. By forming meaningful partnerships, embracing creative solutions, and keeping community voices at the centre, we can create places that stand the test of time.
Cura’s March Roundtable was held at the Urban Farmer Project.