When EG and UK Regeneration launched the Building a Better Britain campaign in August, we set ourselves a clear aim: to bring together private sector money and public sector assets to deliver targeted urban renewal.
On Monday, the resulting Regeneration Commission meets to develop a short, sharp set of proposals for action.
The recommendations will be aimed at the wider development industry, including landowners, developers, investors and advisers. They will focus on what needs doing differently and how we should bring about change. But some parts may be the responsibility of government, and appropriate recommendations may need to be made.
However, a fundamental part of the campaign’s argument is that the current policy and financial framework places the onus on, and offers an opportunity to, the industry to take a more responsible leadership role. In particular, the commission will consider the following points based on the five key principles in the original article:
Taking responsibility All industries support the principle of corporate social responsibility. But development and regeneration needs to go further, recognising the long-term and spatial impact of their activities.
Engaging with people Industries aim for a direct understanding of their consumers. Development and regeneration most often consult those who are not going to consume, and have little interaction with those who do.
Valuing the long term The chain of development, investment and ownership is fragmented. Historically, more successful models have integrated long-term land ownership, decisions about buildings and the management of places.
Balancing society There is a risk of self-reinforcing trends. Growing areas attract more resources, both public and private. Other places run the risk of spirals of decline.
Getting local Localism is more than just a political fad. Understanding and engaging with the particular needs of different places is essential.
We have had a phenomenal response and are grateful to the many readers who have contributed. You can still do so by e-mailing betterbritain@estatesgazette.com. We will be making commission papers available to ensure we capitalise on the experience, knowledge and capacity to innovate across the industry.
The commission
Damian Wild
Estates Gazette editor and chair of the commission.
Jackie Sadek
Chief executive of UK Regeneration and deputy chair of the commission.
Tony Pidgley
The Berkeley Group chairman has been spearheading regeneration schemes throughout his 50 year career including Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth, Imperial Wharf in Fulham and Kidbrooke in South East London.
Brendan Jarvis
Head of Real Estate at Barclays Capital, a key figure in the UK property lending scene.
Trevor Beattie
The chairman of the RICS Land and Society Commission, examining how communities can shape their neighbourhoods.
Jon Rouse
The former chief executive of architecture watchdog CABE, and now Chief executive of the London Borough of Croydon.
Liz Peace
Chief executive of the British Property Federation representing 380 landlords across the UK.
David Partridge
Joint chief executive of Argent, Partridge has been a key player in the regeneration of King’s Cross in London and Brindleyplace in Birmingham.
David Sleath
SEGRO chief executive David Sleath is responsible for one of the biggest industrial property portfolios in the world.
Rick de Blaby
The chief executive of listed developer MEPC, de Blaby is passionate about urban regeneration.
Graham Chapman
Deputy Leader of Nottingham City Council, Chapman is the Portfolio holder for Resources, Economic Development and Reputation. He is also a board member of urban regeneration company Nottingham Regeneration,
Denise Hyland
Hyland is Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Enterprise and Skills at Greenwich Council.
Joanna Averley
Interim chief executive for the Centre for Cities, Averly also has a strong involvement in regeneration projects from roles at CABE, the Olympic Delivery Authority and was involved in masterplanning Manchester City centre after the 1996 IRA bombing.
Andrew Gould
JLL’s UK chief executive runs a team of 2,700 across the UK with a heavy commitment to regeneration.
Phillip Cox (observer)
Director of Local Economies Regeneration and European Programmes at the Department for Communities and Local Government, Cox is a key civil servant for UK regeneration schemes.
Miatta Fahnbulleh (observer)
Cabinet Office official charged with spearheading community empowerment.
