The Royal Institute
of British Architects (RIBA) has launched an open call for architects to apply
to work alongside the Local Authorities who have already been selected to
participate in the 2019 Future
Place programme.
From improvements to
a Norfolk seafront to developing plans for car-free living in Devon, the Future
Place programme is now looking for talented architects or practices to help the
five areas develop their priorities.
The programme aims
to recognise and support high quality placemaking in England. The scheme is run
by the RIBA alongside the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), Homes England,
Local Government Association (LGA) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
The five Future
Places – Bradford, Gateshead, Great Yarmouth, Greater Exeter and North
Northamptonshire – were selected based on their ambitious visions to enhance
people’s lives, improve community wellbeing and create sustainable
environments.
The five placemaking
commissions are:
• Bradford
– diverse community-led placemaking
The City of Bradford
District Council has a strong vision to transform the city centre by creating
new homes and economic opportunities. Entrants are invited to identify
innovative ways to engage with the young, diverse communities of the future.
• Gateshead
– health and wellbeing-led placemaking
Gateshead Council is
committed to creating a lively and connected town centre which promotes a
better quality of life. Entrants are invited to identify opportunities to
improve health, wellbeing, social interaction for future residents of the town.
• Great
Yarmouth – heritage and innovation-led placemaking and growth
Great Yarmouth
Borough Council is currently driving forward an ambitious Town Centre
Masterplan and major regeneration projects along the seafront to enhance the
experience for tourists and the local community. Entrants are invited to carry
out an analysis of the seafront and propose improvements to the public realm.
• Greater
Exeter – sustainable growth and high density-living-led placemaking
By 2040 Greater
Exeter wants to be recognised as a global leader in sustainable living and one
of the most active, healthy and accessible cities in England. Entrants are
invited to develop design principles for higher-density car-free
neighbourhoods.
• North
Northamptonshire – landscape and green infrastructure-led placemaking
The five partner
Local Authorities which make up North Northamptonshire plan to advance an
ambitious growth agenda to build 40,000 homes over 20 years and create a new
Garden Village. Entrants are invited to develop principles for the design and
management of a key radial route connecting new Garden Communities with the
town centre.
RIBA President, Ben
Derbyshire, said: “This is an opportunity for talented architects to support
their Local Authority planning teams at a strategic level, helping them to
explore a really interesting mix of design challenges.
"Each of the
five places were selected because of their vision and determination to deliver
meaningful change, and winners of this first phase can demonstrate the added
value an architect can bring to placemaking. This programme, collaborating with
sister Institutes RTPI, LGA, CIH and with support from Homes England recognises
the vital role that councils play in creating happy, healthy and sustainable
communities.
"I hope there
will be a good response to this programme supporting local activism in the
profession.”
RIBA is inviting
Chartered Architects and Practices to submit Expressions of Interest by 27 June
2019. Moreinformation on the open call process can be found here.
