Conclusion
Covid-19 has led to shifting priorities; with increased time spent at home, we want more from our local neighbourhoods. Equally, our local centres can enjoy the warmth of more people around for longer periods of the day and the week. The pandemic revealed the popularity and resilience of the whole-place community that blends a convivial mix of life-giving ingredients with a diverse range of homes in a people- centric and local design.
Concurrently, evolving sustainability standards have raised our expectations and increasingly we seek out places that promote environmentally friendly solutions, both on the building and community scales.
The patient community model delivers on all this. Developed organically over time, and in conversation with local residents, businesses, and landowners, patient developments prove that growth can bring regenerative benefits beyond their physical boundaries and unlock greater financial returns.
But in today’s market, a patient development approach requires bravery and persistence, as the planning system and financial markets favour a quick win model that encourages the developer to sell off their land for short-term gains.
This report highlights the benefits of a patient development model and makes recommendations for how the UK can incentivise more developments of a patient kind.
The five key placemaking principles of a patient approach are:
01 Whole-place design
Self-sustaining neighbourhoods that are mixed-use, local, connected, and walkable. A range of homes supports diversity and allows residents to upscale or downsize within the neighbourhood.
02 Place specific
Celebrating local craftsmanship and materials, which supports local businesses whilst creating character and distinctiveness — a familiar place to be proud of.
03 Environment focused
Optimising land use and on-site regenerative processes that mitigate the effects of climate change, such as renewable energy production, water harvesting, flood mitigation, biodiversity and ecology.
04 People specific
Involving communities in genuine co- creation processes that empower people to help shape their own neighbourhood, which in turn can overcome the fear of change. Design of streets and public spaces that put people first.
05 Visionary vigilance
Rigorous enforcement and management of the development delivery to ensure that the vision is delivered faithfully without being diluted along the way.
