Enabling your community

The Localism Bill seeks to empower communities to take charge of development in their own areas, taking the lead as clients.  The Community Right to Buy/Build and Community Land Trusts are likely to emerge in the coming years as new and established community groups seek to capitalise on this power shift.

Other policy initiatives are likely to have a significant impact on the design of places and buildings, though this may not be immediately obvious.  For instance, the mutualisation of public services and the establishment of free schools, puts resources into the hands of those who have not traditionally held them. These new clients may not have experience of the impact of design on place, function, identity and productivity. 
 
Open-City can assist with the local capacity and skills required to be effective client organisations, informing proposals for example:

  • ensuring a firm emphasis on quality through the briefing and tendering process at the early stage of projects;
  • assisting with the selection process for consultants and guidance in evaluating design quality in bids;
  • supporting the development of masterplans or briefs.

Open-City has a track record in bringing the public into contact with issues on the value of space and place and the role of architecture in quality of life. Open-City can draw upon its network and its experience to bring an independent and trusted voice to emerging projects that will affect local people and local communities.

For further information, contact our Enabling team.

 

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