The APPG on
Building Communities is calling for evidence and contributions from all
organisations with an interest in the built and natural environment to
contribute to its new consultation, which aims to demonstrate how placemaking
can lead to greater productivity in the UK.
As part of its
remit, the APPG seeks to conduct research on the concept of ‘placemaking’ and
investigate design practices that maximise the social value of infrastructure.
In this way the APPG
will build an evidence base that can be used by policy makers when engaging
with the build and natural environment.
APPG Chairman, Bob
Blackman MP said: “More needs to be done to understand how places that are
designed and delivered with space, health, accessibility, resilience and
engagement in mind can be more productive places, driving inclusive growth with
better economic and social outcomes across a city, region, nation, or the whole
UK.
“Creating areas that
are aesthetically appealing, have good connectivity and are comfortable
provides individuals with the opportunity to use the space most effectively.
The interaction that happens in these spaces is also a key driver of a
successful service economy, boosting productivity through access to knowledge
and networks of people. Talented individuals working for highly productive
industries, such as technology firms, are more likely to move to an attractive
city or development.”
Hannah Vickers,
Chief Executive Officer of the Association for Consulting and Engineering
(ACE), which acts as secretariat to the APPG added: “We all recognise that
the UK has a productivity gap that is a drag on our economic performance.
Despite being the most productive economy in Europe in the 1960’s the UK has
steadily fallen behind France, Germany and the United States. Within the UK,
there is a 44% difference between the most and least productive cities. To
combat this decline, the Government has launched the Industrial Strategy at a
national level to help bridge the gap.
“The APPG feels,
however, that there is a local dimension to improving UK productivity that
requires a greater focus on the role of the built environment. Our belief is
that the UK needs to make productivity a more tangible part of the planning and
design process at this local level to achieve improved economic
results and thriving local economies.”
