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Re-imagining urban spaces to helprevitalise our high streetsJuly 2012© Crown copyright, 2012Copyright in the typographical arrangement rests with the Crown.You may re-use this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, underthe terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visithttp://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ or write to the Information PolicyTeam, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or e-mail: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk.This document/publication is also available on our website at www.communities.gov.ukAny enquiries regarding this document/publication should be sent to us at:Department for Communities and Local GovernmentEland HouseBressenden PlaceLondonSW1E 5DUTelephone: 030 3444 0000July, 2012ISBN: 978-1-4098-3543-1Foreword from Eric Pickles MP, Secretary of State for Communities andLocal Government, and Grant Shapps MP, Minister for High StreetsShopping habits and social attitudes have changed. To remain relevant and asimportant to communities and businesses as they have been in the past, thecentres of our towns and cities and our high streets have to change with them.The Government’s response to the Portas Review supported the vast majority ofMary Portas’ recommendations to help local places turn themselves around. Thenext step is over to you.There is no point in simply chasing the traditional model of the high street – aplace where people come together to shop. Retail is an important element of athriving town centre, but it’s not sufficient. Instead, you need to re-imagineyour high street and town centre, and drive towards a new future wherepeople come together for many different reasons. Simply continuing as you are isnot an option.Shared and public spaces are vital ingredients of town centres and high streets.These spaces are what knit a place together, and are often under-used, becomingsimple thoroughfares. Creative thinking is needed so these spaces can becomethe focal point for the social interaction that is the epitome of the high streetexperience – an area that is enjoyed by all members of the local community.There are many examples of this kind of thing happening already. Poundbury inDorset, for example, has completely decluttered its streets and taken inspirationfrom the local vernacular to create its own version of “shared space”, where carsand pedestrians share an airy and uplifting space. Bath supplements a shoppingexperience with uplifting architecture, café culture and street performance. Thelist goes on.We think these examples are great. But this kind of thinking is not common. Wewant to see more people being creative about how they design and use thespaces in their town centres and high streets, in a way that takes itsinspiration from local characteristics and resonates with local people,boosts the local economy, and helps keep the community heart beating.1IntroductionThe Portas Review1 highlighted the challenges that face our high streets and towncentres. With shopping habits changing, high streets need to evolve – to build ontheir strengths and offer a viable and exciting alternative to out-of-town andinternet shopping. High streets and town centres that are fit for the 21st centuryneed to offer a different mix of retail, services and facilities, a different style ofinteraction, and a variety of experiences that are about more than shopping.Town centres and high streets have buildings and roads, but the spaces inbetween are what hold them together as a place – the open spaces, streets,squares, green spaces and the network of pavements and pedestrianthoroughfares that knit them together. All too often, these spaces are usedas no more than that – thoroughfares – and we start to forget that they canbe so much more.This document is aimed at anyone working to improve their high street, towncentre or retail area, whether you are a neighbourhood partnership, a group ofbusinesses, a private landowner or a local authority. Its goal is to remind us of thepotential of these urban spaces, and how, with some imagination and creativethought, they can add identity to a place to help combat clone town syndrome, andhelp make the local high street a destination of choice.The section at the back of this document aims to signpost some of the keydocuments, guidance, tools and sources of support that you may find helpful inthinking about how best to design or use the urban spaces in your area.The scope of this documentThe terms “public space” and “urban space” are widely understood to include openspaces, streets, squares, green spaces and pedestrian thoroughfares. The term“shared space” however means different things to different people. In thisdocument, we are taking a wide definition that encompasses all the following:• spaces similar to public spaces but which happen to be privately owned,such as the walkways and spaces in shopping centres.• the transport policy definition of shared space principles – sometimesreferred to as “living streets” or “naked streets” – which promote anapproach to street design that deters the domination of the space by cars.(This aspect of shared space is explored on pages 12 and 13.)• issues around managing common spaces, where the space is inclusive andthe benefits of improving or maintaining it are shared with all users.1 http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/regeneration/pdf/2081646.pdf2So much more than shoppingHigh streets and town centres have always been about much more than shopping.Retail is an important part of the town centre mix, but people also come for manyother reasons, such as to visit cafes, restaurants, pubs, galleries, museums,cinemas, parks, hairdressers, beauty parlours, doctors and dentists, libraries,banks, solicitors, and estate agents. And there’s a strong social factor too – thehigh street is often the place where local people come together to meet friends andjoin in community activities. It can provide a setting for shared experiences, and bea focal point of local identity, community pride, and common heritage and values.Fountains, carousel and the theatre in Williamson Square,in the heart of Liverpool’s shopping district© Living StreetsThe spaces in a high street or town centre can be where this social ingredient canbe most evident. In the Government’s response2 to Mary Portas’ Review of HighStreets in March 2012, we talked about High Streets as the heart of ourcommunities. Taking that analogy further, the urban spaces and network ofpedestrian walkways in our town centres and high streets can be described as theveins and arteries that keep that community heart beating.2 The Government’s response to the Portas Review lays down a challenge for local partners tore-imagine their town centres and high streets, ensuring they offer something new and differentthat neither out-of-town shopping centres nor the internet can match – an experience that goesbeyond retail, with creative use of public spaces and a vibrant evening economy.The response also outlines a new package of measures to help high streets reclaim their role atthe heart of our communities.http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/regeneration/pdf/2120019.pdf3Finding the right local recipeThere are numerous ways of using and improving urban spaces, but not all ofthem are right for every place. Pedestrianisation, for example, can result inplaces becoming lifeless at night, giving rise to security concerns. However, inanother setting this might not be an issue and pedestrianising a street could beexactly what is needed.Local people with a good understanding of life in the area will be in a goodposition to identify the elements that together will make a positive difference, andare often well-placed to lead and deliver improvements. They may have greaterday-to-day awareness of what is valued locally, of localised issues and possiblesolutions, and they may be able to provide the necessary momentum to initiatechange.To survive, high streets need to be visited by all the local communities, andpublic spaces need to be open to and attractive to everyone, regardless of age,gender, disability or ethnicity. Local community and business buy-in can make orbreak a public space initiative. Decisions on the approach to revitalising an areaor space must ensure that local businesses and the local community, particularlythose with disabling conditions or impaired mobility and other marginalisedgroups, are involved in the decision process to ensure that all members of thecommunity can enjoy the benefits.Strong community buy-in and pride in the initiative can bring in people andcommunities who might otherwise have gone elsewhere, boost creative ideas,ensure the space is used as envisaged, and help reduce anti-social behaviourthat could otherwise erode its success.The first task is to understand how people experience the area at present – withdifferent primary purposes in mind and with different needs, and at different timesof the day.You can then agree a vision – shared between local people, local businessesand local government – around which you wish to transform the town centre highstreet experience. This may require an equality impact assessment and sometough strategic judgements – not every high street will be ideally suited to make acredible distinctive offer, and there may be a need for some scaling back and/orchanges of use in some areas. These are challenges for local authorities, actingtogether where necessary, within the new planning framework. Imagination iskey, and new forms of engagement will be needed to understand how placesmight work for the people who do not currently use them: what will encouragepeople back or attract others for the first time.Once you have settled on a shared vision, you can plan how to make it work, andthe role of the shared and public spaces within that. Choices will then have to bemade about actions and changes. These again must be supported by localbusinesses and communities, and must be realistic – in some places resourceswill be available for very significant investment; in others investment will belimited.4In the redesign stage of New Road, Brighton, a street audit was carried out, capturinghow the street was currently used – which people visited and why, what features theyvalued, and how they used and moved around the space. Extensive consultation wascarried out with a wide range of local residents and external partners. This informedeverything from the positioning of street furniture to the choice of a ‘shared space’treatment and materials.New Road – before New Road – after© Brighton and Hove City CouncilSeveral mechanisms and tools exist that can help with these tasks (see referencesection for further details). Local town teams created under the Portasprogramme bring together local businesses, communities, and other public,private, community and voluntary organisations together to articulate and delivera shared vision for a high street, and community and neighbourhood planningexercises can formalise these and enable them to hold weight in planningdecisions. Toolkits such as Placecheck and Spaceshaper can be used to agreewhat the issues are and how they can be addressed through funding programmesand the planning system.A street audit can demonstrate how the space is currently used by differentpeople at different times of day and night, and inform decisions on how it can beimproved. It is also worth considering the extent to which the use of the spacecomplements or competes with surrounding businesses, provides choice andvalue for customers, and affects the town centre experience as a whole.5Reclaiming the spaceAll too often, habit and busy lives can make us forget that urban spaces andpavements can be more than a path along which to hurry from A to B. Theseunder-used assets could be enhanced to help revitalise our town centres, boosteconomic performance, support regeneration, and build community pride andsocial integration.The potential uses of these spaces are many. The simplest is their use as aspillover from the surrounding units – open store frontages with room for racks andbaskets of goods outside to entice shoppers in; a tasting area for a delicatessen;attractive outdoor seating areas for cafés, restaurants and bars. Care needs to betaken to ensure that these spillovers leave sufficient space for passers by,including for example those with wheelchairs or buggies or using a cane. A florist’s shop spills out into the street,Soho, LondonStopping to chat at a pavement café,Soho, London © Living Streets © Living StreetsPavement cafés, Mansfield© Association of Town Centre ManagementShared and public spaces can in themselves also provide a venue and a reason tovisit – for example a space in which to work, to play, or to exercise. Interactive6maps, planters, trees, water features, wireless internet access, art and sculpturecan provide reasons to slow down, to stop and reconnect with the world around us.Traffic speed restrictions can reduce noise and pollution, improve safety and offera more tranquil social environment. Carefully placed street seating and pavementcafés enable people to rest, to talk, and take time to soak up the experience.A pleasant place to sit, Oxford A Tai Chi class in Dingwall, Scotland© Living Streets © Highland Tai ChiChildren playing in the fountains Bryant Park Reading Room, New York – anin Millennium Square, Bristol outdoor library with recitals and storytelling© Alice Darley © Association of Town Centre ManagementCommunity growing projects in otherwise neglected spaces can create colour andinterest and turn eyesores into attractions – such as the Todmorden Green Routefor example, which has seen fruit and vegetables being planted in public spacesand scraps of vacant land all over the town. Vacant sites awaiting developmentcan be turned into pocket parks or wildflower meadows, or public green spaces.Pop-up stalls, stands and markets can add colour, enticing smells and noises, andenergy to the streetscene, and can encourage people to move along from one partof the street or town centre to another less frequented part. Markets in particularcan be an important asset to the area economically – for example supplementingthe variety of goods and services available, providing enterprise opportunities, andattracting visitors – and socially – encouraging different communities tointermingle, and including social groups who might otherwise not be attracted tothe town centre.7Market day in Alton, Hampshire Sharrow Vale market, Sheffield© Association of Town Centre Management © National Association of British Market AuthoritiesThe introduction of busking, performance, cultural celebrations, festivals andevents can add further excitement and vitality, and significantly increase footfallfrom nearby and further afield. And a forward programme or regular pattern ofsuch events can enable people to plan their visits to the area, invite friends, andspread the word.The regeneration of Gloucester Dockshas been inspired by the heritage ofthe city. New commercial andresidential developments havebreathed life back into historicwarehousing, making the most of keylandmarks. Pedestrian links throughthe area to key destinations in the cityhave been enhanced with way-markingand distinctive art installations. Anexciting programme of communityfestivals and events celebrate localhistory. These both strengthen the localcommunity around a common purposeand a shared past, and attract visitors –providing an opportunity to showcaselocal businesses and bolster the localeconomy.© Marketing Gloucester LtdSouthgate’s 2pm performance slot, Bath Dancers, Manchester© Aviva Investors © Mark McNulty8© ISAN © Luke JerramThe potential for urban spaces to support growth in the evening and night-timeeconomy should not be ignored – not just in terms of outside seating areas forpubs, bars and restaurants, but also events such as night markets, outdoorconcerts and theatre, firework displays, and night-time street performances. Theseneed to be sensitively and carefully managed to preserve acceptable noise andcrowd behaviour. Clever lighting can highlight attractive or historical features andarchitectural details, deter anti-social behaviour, and increase safety.The Heritage Lottery-funded “Our Town Our Basildon”project created a heritage trail celebrating highlights ofthe town and its history. This and spin-off activities,such as the creation of an information hub whichdisplayed children’s photos and stories about thetown, re-ignited people’s interest in their local highstreet and provided an additional reason to visit.Bristol has a packed programme of festivaland events in its city centre streets andsquares, including a regular auto-motofestival and a garden life show in the centralshopping area. City centre events lastSummer also included a pop-up casual andfine dining event in tipis, an outdoor “comedygarden”, and a street theatre performance ofTreasure Island. The biggest event is theannual Harbour festival which spans a wholenetwork of public spaces across a large areaof the centre, with live music, circus, dance,comedy, boats, tall ships, markets andchildren’s activities, with a firework finale.s© Tim Martin PhotographyThe “Play Me I’m Yours” initiative placedpianos in public spaces – Harrow Rd, LondonCrowds at the Stockton InternationalRiverside Festival© Paul Box9Vacant units, particularly if they stay empty for a long time or there is a suddenincrease, can be a very clear sign that all is not well in the high street, and canprompt a mass exodus of visitors and businesses. The temporary use of emptyunits – often called “meanwhile use” – for public and community purposes such asartistic displays and galleries, pop-up shops or market stalls, or by communitygroups, can temporarily turn these spaces into part of the public realm and niparea decline in the bud by maintaining a sense of energy as well as adding to localdiversity.In Blackpool, the Culture Shops programme created over 30 artistic and communitydisplays in seven empty shops over the course of a year. This provided a temporarylift to empty properties, improving the appearance of both individual shops and thesurrounding locations, making areas of the town feel safer and more vibrant. Therewere also benefits for the artists and community groups involved.In Chorley, a number of art and craft exhibitions and children’s and family artworkshops have taken place within empty units in the town’s shopping centre.Artwork: Maggie McManus & Arts for Health GroupPhoto Linzi CasonArtwork: Noel CluettPhoto: Jonathan LynchBlackpool’s Culture Shops ProgrammeEncouraging mixed use of public buildings such as libraries and community hallscan provide an indoor extension of the public space that can house cafés,galleries, stalls, internet access, and host community gatherings such as musicrecitals, relaxation classes, book clubs and storytelling, workshops andpresentations. Some of these might take place after usual closing hours,increasing local footfall and a more varied social scene into the evening.10Redesigning the spaceSmall design changes can make a big difference to the attractiveness of a spaceand the way it is approached and used, and can help reinforce the local vision forthe kind of place you want to create. And some situations offer the opportunity fora more structural redesign of the space.The vital role that trees, parks, gardens, waterways and other green spaces canplay in promoting sustainable places is often overlooked. These patchworks ofgreen woven through our cities and towns – known as green infrastructure –provide numerous environmental, economic and social benefits, creating the kindof places people want to live, work, visit and invest in.The quality of the walking environment is a huge factor in people’s shoppingchoices, and people who walk to their high street have been shown to spend more,and in a wider range of shops, than visitors arriving by car, bus or bike. Attractivefeatures such as planting, waterways and pocket parks along the route to the highstreet or town centre can help make walking and cycling a pleasant alternative todriving, and it can be worth investing to ensure an obvious, accessible and enticingwalkway from public transport hubs and the town centre.© Joe D Miles © Living StreetsA pleasant walkway to town,Loanhead, ScotlandIn Walthamstow, the redeveloped square,gardens and high street provide a safe andattractive link between the main transporthub and the central shopping area.Green spaces and play spaces can also provide furtherreason for people to visit their town centre, as well asencouraging them to stay longer when they do. Designcan create adaptable spaces where people of all agesand abilities can work, rest, relax and play.A children’s play area can be a real assetand attraction in a shopping area,encouraging more families to come, and turntheir shopping trip into a varied day out.Here a climbing frame has been erected inHorsefair Shopping Centre, Wisbech.© Archant11Sheffield’s Peace Gardens© English Heritage © Capita SymondsThe creative use of sightlines can highlight monuments or landmarks and enhancevisitors’ ability to orientate themselves and navigate their way around.The roof of a retail unit in Cardinal Place, London, hasbeen used creatively to provide space for a public park.The space is frequented by shoppers and officeworkers, and hosts events such as film and sportingevent screenings and live theatre performances.The layout of the Princesshay shopping centre in Exeter creates vistasto the city’s landmarks, such as the cathedral and the old city wall toenhance sense of place.© John Thompson, The Academy of UrbanismModern developments can be designed to complement local historical features.Use of high quality and locally characteristic materials, particularly surfacetreatments, can uplift tired places to attract businesses and customers andemphasise local character, historic features and buildings. It can foster localownership and care of public spaces, and help reduce maintenance issues.12© Aviva InvestorsIn the heart of Bath, a World Heritage Site, the Southgate Bath developmenthas provided a sympathetic retail and leisure environment inspired by the city’sGeorgian character. The public spaces are used for a variety of eventsincluding the popular ‘2pm slot’ which provides a platform for local musiciansand performers. Together with the summer deckchairs installation, this createsa modern echo of the scene in the nearby ‘Palace Gardens’ with its deckchairsand Victorian bandstand.In some places, the careful introduction of “shared space” principles in the designof pavements and roads can promote a more open feel and a more cooperativerelationship between pedestrians, motorists and other road users through theminimisation or removal of kerbs and other features such as lines, signs andsignals.Such solutions need to be considered case by case, with special care taken toaccommodate the needs of all groups of society, particularly blind and partiallysighted people who may find it harder to find their way along the street. Sharedspace schemes can involve significant initial capital costs, so it is important toconsider a range of approaches before investing.13Poundbury in West Dorset is a new-buildmixed use development that has pusheddesign boundaries, including in the designof its spaces. Street design and widthdiffers according to use. In local residentialroads traffic has been slowed and thespace reclaimed for pedestrians throughthe use of shared space principles such ascontinuing “footway” surfacing across roadjunctions, and natural design features suchas the width of streets and positioning ofbuildings. The attractiveness and open feelof the public realm has been maximised,including by reducing urban clutter, forexample by mounting street names andlighting directly onto the buildings. Thestreet layout creates vistas and useslandmarks to add variety and interest,strengthen sense of place, and help peoplefind their way round the town. Design andmaterials take their cues from local townsand villages, with the exception of newlandmark buildings which weave ininspiration from further afield, eg. Europe.Public art and local craftwork, incorporatedinto many features from street furniture,signage, and lighting schemes, enhances adistinctive character which is rooted in itscommunity.© West Dorset District Council© Duchy of Cornwall© Richard Ivey at The Prince’sFoundation© Town and CountryPlanning Association© West DorsetDistrict CouncilThe redevelopment of Exhibition Road in Kensington includes a radical decluttering whereall street furniture was removed and the rest combined as far as possible. Distinctivechequered granite paving runs the length and breadth of the road. A pedestrian corridor,marked by a linear drain and corduroy paving, flanks both sides of the road. There is roomfor two lanes of traffic, with a transition zone on one side housing parking bays, cycle racksseating and other items of street furniture. The linear drain and tactile corduroy paving helpblind and visually impaired people to know when they are moving from the pedestriancorridor into the transitional shared space. Kerbs have been removed other than at busstops to enable easy boarding.© Alice Darley, Department for Communities and Local Government14Over time, pavements and public spaces can become cluttered with streetfurniture such as signs, posts, bollards, railings, control boxes and advertisingboards. Such items can accumulate if their use is never reviewed. Clutter like thiscan create confusion, spoil the street scene, and hinder ease of movement. Sucheffects are often subliminal as people become used to cluttered spaces, but theeffect of removing redundant items and simplifying the rest (e.g. by rationalisingsignage or mounting lights and cameras on buildings or combining them on asingle post) is often startling.Walworth Road, South London – same stretch of roadbefore and after de-cluttering and extending the pavement.© Living Streets © Southwark CouncilWhen reducing urban clutter, security need not be compromised. Protectivesecurity measures against vehicle-borne threats can effectively be integrated intostreet furniture such as planters, cycle racks, bus stops, and water featuresthrough specialist reinforcement, without compromising on the attractiveness of thestreetscape. Natural traffic calming and improved visibility can provide furtherprotection.Streetscene issues – for example waste, graffiti, flyposting, and anti-socialbehaviour – can be naturally reduced by clever design and the removal ofredundant furniture or barriers, or by the clever placement of a market stall.In Melbourne, for example, a late-night flower stall and a pavement café on araised platform provide informal surveillance that deters crime and anti-socialbehaviour.Where physical changes to the streetscene are being considered, this providesthe opportunity to reassess parking provision for cars and cycles and ensuresufficient spaces are available for workers, shoppers and other visitors. If cycleparking is to be well-used, it needs to be sited conveniently close to keydestinations, well overlooked, and with ample fixtures to which cycle locks can besecured.Physical changes by definition can leave a long-term legacy, and it would beadvisable to consider sustainability and adaptability in case economic situationsor social attitudes change.15Managing and maintaining the spaceOne thing that can limit creative and exciting use of public spaces is the challengeof managing and maintaining them. It can be hard to identify or justify expenditureto invest in innovative changes or events, when the benefits of doing so are sharedwith surrounding businesses. Business Improvement Districts can provide amechanism to address this, as can social funding platforms such as Spacehive(see reference section for further details).Active management of public spaces (for example, via a business improvementdistrict, a town centre manager or local ‘ambassadors’) is vital to their usability andpeople’s enjoyment of them, and can deter anti-social behaviour. Regularmaintenance will be required, including regular street cleansing and litterclearance, emptying litter bins, removing graffiti, fly-posting and clearing tradewaste and any fly-tipping. Reasonable parking charges and a sympathetic butsensible approach to enforcing parking restrictions will help ensure that the rightbalance is struck between the need to keep streets clear and the convenience ofcar-borne shoppers and other visitors.All users of a public space have a role in maintaining it. Community and businessengagement and clever design, e.g. choice of materials and pre-emptive surfacetreatment of these, can minimise such problems and ease remedial action, and itcan also help to get everyone involved in reporting any problems and getagreement on whose job it will be to take remedial action when needed.16Resources and ReferencesThis section aims to signpost some of the key documents, guidance, tools andsources of support that you may find helpful in thinking about how best to design oruse the urban spaces in your area.This list is by no means exhaustive, nor does their inclusion imply that thesolutions proposed are what central Government would wish to see – it is for localpeople to decide what is right for your area.To help you navigate this list, the resources are grouped by the same headingsused in the narrative.Finding the right local recipe You might like to look at:• Spaceshaper – A practical toolkit and facilitated exercise to assess the quality of apublic open space and help make investment decisions to improve it. It collectsthe views of the people who use and manage the space to identify the strengthsand weaknesses of the space, and assess how well it meets everyone’s needs.www.landscapeinstitute.org/Spaceshaper/• Placecheck – An easy-to-use planning tool for initiating community debate aboutwhat needs to be improved. www.placecheck.info/• Neighbourhood Planning – Empowering communities to shape the developmentand growth of a local area through the production of a neighbourhooddevelopment plan, a neighbourhood development order or a Community Right toBuild Order.www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/planningsystem/neighbourhoodplanningvanguards/• Neighbourhood Planning Toolkits – A variety of tools to assist neighbourhoods.www.designcouncil.org.uk/our-work/cabe/services/plan/neighbourhood-planningtoolkits-and-guidance/• Community Street Audit – A professionally facilitated approach to assessingstreets by engaging with local communities and giving them the tools andconfidence to identify problems and areas for improvement, backed up by atechnical report to help drive those improvements through.www.livingstreets.org.uk/professionals/working-with-communities/communitystreet-audits• Community Led Spaces – A guide to the issues involved in transferringownership and management of public space from local authorities to communitygroups. www.cabe.org.uk/publications/community-led-spaces• First Impressions Toolkit – A simple tool to provide feedback to a communityfrom a “first time” visitor. www.atcm.org/tools/the-first-impressions-exercise.php 17 • Town Centre Health Check – A health check to understand how a town or citycentre is performing. www.atcm.org/tools/town-centre-healthcheck.php Other resources and sources of expertise:• Public Realm Information and Advice Network (PRIAN) – A group dedicated toencouraging and disseminating best practice in the design, management andmaintenance of the public realm. www.publicrealm.info/• Urban Design Group – A website including details of urban design practices,publications and future urban design events, and a regular newsletter with urbandesign news, articles and blog posts. www.udg.org.uk The UDG mediacatalogue includes digital material in which contributors explain their projects andideas. www.urbannous.org.uk/udgevents.htm Reclaiming the space You might like to look at:• Art in the Open: Inspiring creative approaches for town centres – A toolkit tosupport the development of arts for town centres.www.artintheopen.org.uk/pdf/AITO_ToolKit.pdf• Public Art Online – A public art information site which provides guidance on theplacement and commissioning of public art, with case studies from around the UKand internationally. www.publicartonline.org.uk/• Purple Flag – Reclaiming the space at night – A movement to improve town andcities at night. www.purpleflag.org.uk/• ISAN publications, DVD and toolkits, offering best practice support in advocatingfor outdoor arts and practical guidance for organisers of outdoor arts events.www.isanuk.org Other resources and sources of expertise:• Action for Market Towns – A membership organisation working with townteams and councils to maintain the vitality and viability of small towns across theUK. Database of over 300 case studies; training and consultancy on localismand town centres and a national town centre benchmarking scheme.www.towns.org.uk• Association of Town Centre Management – An organisation representing alltown centre stakeholders, including Town Centre Partnerships, BIDs and EveningEconomy Partnerships. www.atcm.org 18 • BEAM – An organisation dedicated to the imaginative understanding andimprovement of the public realm by helping people make great places to live, workand play in. www.beam.uk.net• British Council of Shopping Centres – A membership body and authoritativevoice for retail-led regeneration and for the management of and investment inshopping places. BCSC represents over 450 businesses in the retail propertysector, including, owners, developers, designers, architects and retailers, offeringevents, educational programmes, research and business to business networking.www.bcsc.org.uk• Heritage Lottery Fund – Expertise and a range of funding programmes toconserve the UK’s diverse heritage, and help more people to learn about theirheritage. www.hlf.org.uk• Historic Environment Local Management – A website providing a source ofinformation, training and guidance about managing change in the historicenvironment. www.helm.org.uk• ISAN (Independent Street Arts Network) – A strategic and membershiporganisation that develops outdoor arts in the UK by advocating its benefits andthrough the dissemination of good practice in the planning, staging and safemanagement of outdoor arts events. ISAN members include producers,presenters, promoters, artists and support agencies working in outdoor arts.www.isanuk.org• National Association of British Market Authorities – A membershiporganisation open to any organisation having control of retail, wholesale, livestockmarkets, public abattoirs and pleasure fairs. Offers events, training andconsultancy services. Free market health check and advice from a team of marketconsultants. www.nabma.com• National Market Traders Federation – An organisation run by market traders, formarket traders providing business support and insurance. www.nmtf.co.uk• Meanwhile Space – A community interest company providing consultancy,brokerage and guidance for landlords, Local Authorities and others interested ininnovative interim uses for empty property and sites. www.meanwhilespace.com• Royal Town Planning Institute – The RTPI’s website holds information onexemplar schemes relating to town centre regeneration and the public realm.www.rtpi.org.uk Redesigning the space You might like to look at:• It’s Our Space – A guide for community groups working to improve public space.www.designcouncil.org.uk/documents/documents/publications/cabe/its-ourspace.pdf 19 • Streets for All – Regional manuals and practical case studies, providing inspirationand advice on street design which reflects the region’s historic character.www.english-heritage.org.uk/professional/advice/advice-by-topic/planning-andtransport/streets-for-all/regional-documents/and www.english-heritage.org.uk/publications/streets-for-all-practical-case-studiesa-summary/• Heritage at Risk – A searchable national database of entries on the mostrecent Heritage at Risk register. www.english-heritage.org.uk/caring/heritage-atrisk/. N.B. Some local authorities also maintain their own lists of buildings at risk• Understanding Place – Guidance on conservation area management and how toassess historic significance through Historic Area Assessments.www.english-heritage.org.uk/publications/understanding-place-conservation-area/• Going to town: improving town centre access – A good practice guidehighlighting what can be done through a concerted effort to improve the key routesfrom the arrival points to the main attractions.www.planningportal.gov.uk/planning/planningpolicyandlegislation/currentenglishpolicy/goodpracticeguides/improvingtowncentres• Microeconomic Evidence for the Benefits of Investment in the Environment –Demonstrates the economic and health benefits of green infrastructure in towns andcities. publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/32031• Local Green Infrastructure – helping communities make the most of theirlandscapes.www.landscapeinstitute.org/PDF/Contribute/LocalGreenInfrastructurewebversion_000.pdf• Trees in the Townscape, a guide for decision makers, Trees and Design ActionGroup. www.tdag.org.uk/trees-in-the-townscape.html• Design Wayfinder – A short document to help authorities, developers andcommunities identify the main sources of guidance and best practice on gooddesign. www.designcouncil.org.uk/our-work/cabe/localism-and-planning/designwayfinder/• Street Pride – A national campaign supporting local action to help rid our streets ofunnecessary clutter. www.civicvoice.org.uk/campaigns/street-pride/• Sight Line: Designing better streets for people with low vision – Designrecommendations to help blind and partially sighted people navigate their localstreets independently and safely. www.cabe.org.uk/publications/sight-line• The Principles of Inclusive Design.www.cabe.org.uk/files/the-principles-of-inclusive-design.pdf 20 • Inclusive Streets: Design principles for blind and partially sighted people –Booklet commissioned and produced by Guide Dogs for the Blind.www.guidedogs.org.uk/fileadmin/gdmain/user/What_we_do/Shared%20Surfaces/Documents/Inclusive_Streets_Design_Principles_booklet_Guide_Dogs_2010.pdf• Guidance on the Use of Tactile Paving Surfaces – Advice on the design of thepedestrian environment to aid visually impaired people.www.dft.gov.uk/publications/guidance-on-the-use-of-tactile-paving-surfaces/• Land in limbo – making the best use of vacant urban spaces: public spacelessons – How to transform vacant urban open spaces into valuable public assets.www.cabe.org.uk/publications/land-in-limbo• Living with risk: promoting better public space design – How reaction to healthand safety concerns is affecting the quality of streets, parks and squares.www.cabe.org.uk/publications/living-with-risk• Living Streets’ online professionals’ area – Case studies of realistic streetimprovement schemes, large and small, including frank video interviews with schemedesigners and engineers. www.livingstreets.org.uk/professionals• Rediscovering Mixed-Use Streets – A report looking at how mixed use highstreets function and are managed, what views the different stakeholders hold ofthem, how the tensions and conflicts manifest in their operation are articulated andwhat improvements could be made. www.jrf.org.uk/sites/files/jrf/2018-mixed-usestreets.pdf• Manual for Streets 1 & 2 – The Manuals for Streets emphasise that streets shouldbe places in which people want to live and spend time in, and are not just transportcorridors. In particular, the manual aims to reduce the impact of vehicles onresidential streets by asking practitioners to plan street design intelligently andproactively, and gives a high priority to the needs of pedestrians, cyclists and usersof public transport. www.dft.gov.uk/publications/manual-for-streets• Landscape architecture: A guide for clients – Includes many examples oflandscape-led projects demonstrating the value of public realm.www.landscapeinstitute.org/PDF/Contribute/LandscapearchitectureAguideforclients2012A3.pdf• Protecting Crowded Places: Design and Technical Issueshttps://vsat.nactso.gov.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/AreasOfRisk/Crowded%20Places-Design%20and%20Tech-Jan%202012.pdf• Crowded Places: The Planning System and Counter-Terrorismhttps://vsat.nactso.gov.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/AreasOfRisk/Crowded%20Places-Planning%20System-Jan%202012.pdf 21 Shared Space, Transport, Traffic and Parking:• Local Transport Note 1/11: Shared Space –- Aimed at assisting those designingand preparing street improvement and management schemes. Particular emphasisis placed on stakeholder engagement and inclusive design, where the needs of adiverse range of people in terms of disability, age etc. are properly considered at allstages of the development process, and on sustainable design where futuremaintenance needs are considered as part of the design process.www.dft.gov.uk/publications/ltn-01-11• Inclusive Mobility A Guide to Best Practice on Access to Pedestrian andTransport Infrastructure. www.dft.gov.uk/publications/inclusive-mobility/• Traffic Advisory Leaflet 1/11: Vehicle Security Barriers within the Streetscape –Advice about why vehicle security barriers may be needed and how they might bestbe integrated into streetscapes.http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/tal-1-11/1-11.pdf• Local Transport Note LTN 1/08 Traffic Management and Streetscape – A guide tohelp all those involved in the design of traffic management measures to prepareschemes that consider and care for the streetscape. Advice on minimising trafficsigns, road markings and street furniture achieving this is given with reference tocase studies. http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/local-transport-notes/ltn-1-08.pdf• Other Local Transport Notes from Department for Transport, including:o 2/09 – Pedestrian Guardrailinghttp://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/local-transport-notes/ltn-2-09.pdfo 2/08 – Cycle Infrastructure Designhttp://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/local-transport-notes/ltn-2-08.pdf• Sustrans information sheet FF37 – Cycle Parkingwww.sustrans.org.uk/assets/files/Info%20sheets/cycle%20parking%20info%20sheet.pdf• Accessible Bus Stop Design Guidance Note BP7/06 (Transport for London)www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/businessandpartners/accessibile_bus_stop_design_guidance.pdf• Naked streets policy briefing, case studies, a useful film about counteringperceptions of a public space and background to fitter for walking work includingcase studies.www.livingstreets.org.uk/sites/default/files/content/library/Policy_briefings/pb0109nakedstreets.pdf and www.livingstreets.org.uk/professionals/working-withcommunities/fitter-for-walking• Analysing the perceptions of pedestrians and drivers to shared spacewww.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1369847812000149 22 Other resources and sources of expertise:• Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure – A source of integratedsecurity advice (combining information, personnel and physical) to organisationswhich make up the national infrastructure. www.cpni.gov.uk • CIRIA – Advice on addressing crime and disorder through planning and design.www.ciria.org• Green Infrastructure Partnership – A partnership of over 200 organisationslooking at ways green infrastructure can provide environmental enhancements,improve communities’ health and quality of life, help drive local investment andgrowth and make better places for people and wildlife.www.defra.gov.uk/environment/natural/green-infrastructure• Joint Committee on Mobility of Blind and Partially Sighted People – Anindependent body consisting of representatives from the principle organisations ofblind, deafblind and partially sighted people, with a specific interest in access andmobility. Policy statements have been produced on a range of issues to provideguidance to central and local government; providers, designers, operators andmanagers of transport facilities, buildings and the pedestrian environment.www.jcmbps.org.uk• The GraBS Project – A European network with expertise in using green and blueinfrastructure to help new and existing mixed use urban developments adapt toprojected climate scenarios. www.grabs-eu.org• Townscape Heritage Initiative – The Heritage Lottery Fund’s targeted grantsprogramme for improving the historic buildings, structures or spaces of high streetsacross the UK.www.hlf.org.uk/HowToApply/programmes/Pages/townscapeheritageinitiative.aspx Managing and maintaining the space You might like to look at:• Spacehive.com – A funding platform for neighbourhood improvement projects. Theservice allows anyone to pitch for funding from their community for capital projects.Supporters pledge online and are only charged if the project succeeds in raising itstarget funds. Spacehive.com was recently successfully used to fund a communitycentre in Wales. spacehive.com/Home/AboutUs• Street Operations Guides – A wide series of guides covering range of streetsceneissues, including trade waste, graffiti, beggars. Requires Association of TownCentre Management membership to access.www.atcm.org/practice/category.php?catID=36• Financing the Management & Maintenance of Civic Spaces – A reporthighlighting untapped opportunities for revenue generation from civic space to fundmanagement and maintenance.www.atcm.org/mfiles/files/471-oneneexecreportLR.pdf 23 • State of our Streets – A policy paper including good practice case studies fromcouncils and communities across the country on management and maintenanceapproaches which have made streets safer, more attractive and more enjoyable.www.livingstreets.org.uk/state-of-our-streets• Love Where You Live Campaign, (Keep Britain Tidy) – Aims to reduce litter andincrease civic pride by encouraging community activity and personal responsibility tomanage and improve the quality of local environments. www.lovewhereyoulive.org• Streetscape Guidance report (Transport for London) – Gives advice andinformation to Transport for London staff that look after the design, appearance andupkeep of London’s streets and roads.www.tfl.gov.uk/businessandpartners/publications/4858.aspx N.B. Similar streetscapeguides also exist in several other areas including Southampton, Kent, Essex, andSuffolk.• Industry Criteria and Guidance notes for BIDS – Guidance to assist prospectiveBusiness Improvement Districts in the development of proposals and business planswhich are capable of attracting wide support from the retail and banking sectors.www.brc.org.uk/brc_show_document.asp?id=4358&moid=7688• National Counter-Terrorism Security Office – A range of guidance documentstailored to specific sectors such as shopping centres and bars, pubs and nightclubs,which may assist in improving the protective security of your site, venue or locale.www.nactso.gov.uk Other resources and sources of expertise:• Keep Britain Tidy – National anti-litter campaigns, materials, information, research,networks and training on litter and how to combat it. www.keepbritaintidy.org• British BIDS – a membership organisation focused on thought leadership, researchand market commentary on the development, management renewal and evolutionof British Improvement Districts in Britain. A fee applies. www.britishbids.info/• UK BIDs – a membership organisation committed to supporting robust andsuccessful Business Improvement Districts in the UK. Incorporates the NationalBID Advisory Service. The site contains case studies and information aboutsuccessful BIDs as well as information to help establish a BID. Requiresmembership of the Association of Town Centre Managementwww.ukbids.org/index.php 24ContactsFor more information on the Government’s programme of support for highstreets, see:www.communities.gov.uk/regeneration/economicgrowth/highstreetsportas/ Or contact:Local Growth & Regeneration Implementation DivisionDepartment for Communities and Local Government Eland HouseBressenden PlaceLondon SW1E 5DUTel: 0303 444 0000Further information and support on the main themes raised in this report is alsoavailable from our partners in this publication: Arts Council Englandwww.artscouncil.org.uk0845 300 6200Association of Town Centre Managementwww.atcm.org0300 3300 980British Council of Shopping Centreswww.bcsc.org.uk 0845 270 0775Civic Voice www.civicvoice.org.uk0151 708 9920Department for Culture, Media and Sportwww.culture.gov.uk020 7211 6000Design Council Cabewww.designcouncil.org.uk/cabe020 7420 5200English Heritagewww.english-heritage.org.uk 0870 333 1181Groundwork www.groundwork.org.uk0121 236 8565Guide Dogs for the Blind www.guidedogs.org.uk0118 983 5555Heritage Lottery Fundwww.hlf.org.uk020 7591 6000ISAN (Independent Street Arts Network)www.isanuk.org020 7388 9767Keep Britain Tidy www.keepbritaintidy.org 01942 612621Landscape Institute www.landscapeinstitute.org 020 7685 2640Living Streetswww.livingstreets.org.uk020 7377 4900National Association of British Market Authorities www.nabma.com 01691 680713Royal Town Planning Institutewww.rtpi.org.uk020 7929 9494Trees and Design Action Group www.tdag.org.ukTown & Country Planning Associationwww.tcpa.org.uk020 7930 8903UK Regenerationwww.ukregeneration.org.uk0207 380 4524 25Additional thanks to the following for their contributions:Association of Market TownsCountry MarketsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsDepartment for TransportHistoric Towns ForumHome OfficeNESTARoyal Institute of British ArchitectsUrban Pollinators26A Department for Communities and Local Government publication,in collaboration with:27“Creating vibrant public spaces and encouraging community involvement in townand city centres bolsters places both socially and economically. As retaildestinations continue to compete with online and multi-channel retailing, weshould remember that the most successful locations benefit from the creation of‘theatre’ and a sense of place. At this time of enormous change for the retailproperty industry, we must all work together, taking shared responsibility for thefuture prosperity of our town centres.”Edward Cooke, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, British Council ofShopping Centres“Living Streets welcomes Re-imagining Urban Spaces to Help Revitalise OurHigh Streets as a useful toolkit which will help local authorities create andmaintain safe, attractive town centre and high streets where people want towalk.”Tony Armstrong, Chief Executive, Living Streets“This report demonstrates the huge impact that well-designed places have oncommunity life. A good public square offers safety, security, a meeting place anda focus for the community. A beautiful park offers a refuge from the bustle of thecity; not only a place to meet but one where people of all ages can feel at ease.Landscape architects continue to take the lead in developing landscapes at theheart of towns and cities, in the street and in public parks, all of which make ahuge contribution to the communities with which they work.”Sue Illman, President, Landscape Institute“This publication is a welcome call to action to re-imagine our high streets andtown centres. In thinking about the future of our public spaces we need to ensurethey are attractive, vibrant and accessible to everyone, regardless of age,gender, disability or ethnicity.”Kate Henderson, Chief Executive, Town and Country Planning Association“This is great news for high streets across the country and a fantastic opportunityfor arts organisations and businesses to bring innovative and exciting newprojects to local places. The Arts Council believes that arts and culture has animportant role to play in helping to bring about positive change in localcommunities and we look forward to supporting ventures which will help revitaliseour high streets while getting people involved with the great things the arts haveto offer.”Alan Davey, Chief Executive, Arts Council England“Nabma is delighted to welcome this initiative and the good practice examples ofmaking positive use of public space. Markets can make an important contributionto creating activity in public places providing colour and vitality and also bringingpeople together to create a real sense of community spirit.”Graham Wilson, Chief Executive, National Association of British MarketAuthorities28“ISAN wholeheartedly endorses Re-imagining Urban Spaces to HelpRevitalise Our High Streets as a valuable resource for all those interested inusing new and exciting creative approaches to re-invigorate town centres andhigh streets. […] Outdoor arts create a rationale for visitors to make extra effort toattend and bring diverse communities together [and] help contribute to adestination’s ‘sense of place’. Re-imagining Urban Spaces to Help RevitaliseOur High Streets offers both the vision and the know-how to improve highstreets and town centres through creative solutions from simple designenhancements through to outdoor arts. It recognises the importance of peopleand place.”Helen Cadwallader, Director, ISAN (Independent Street Arts Network)29