How ‘quarters’ are playing a pivotal role in placemaking

Over several decades, urban placemaking has increasingly been shaped by the language of the “quarter”.

However, arguably the importance of this type of place has never been greater than it is today.

Whether considering factors such as the bold national targets to address housing pressures, a growing need to respond to rising social and economic inequalities, or a desire to celebrate and strengthen cultural and community identity – the quarter has a key role to play.

From cultural and creative quarters to innovation districts and thriving mixed-use neighbourhoods, the idea of clearly defined places with distinctive identities is something which towns and cities should be continuing to embrace.

Over the last 40 years we have been proud to play our part in shaping some of these areas into thriving places where people, live, work and enjoy.

For example in Manchester’s Northern Quarter (NQ), we worked in partnership with Manchester City Council to deliver the £120 million regeneration of Smithfield, positively shaping the area by blending the city’s heritage and its aspirations for the future into one.

We created more than 350 apartments, two hotels, and over 30,000 sq. ft of workspace, accommodating 12 new businesses. We revived the Grade II-listed Mackie Mayor building – the former Smithfield fish market – by bringing nine independent kitchens and bars with seating for over 400 people.

It has been a catalyst in the renaissance of this culturally rich quarter in Manchester and helped to craft it into the beating heart of the city’s creative, music, and artistic community.

A similar story can be told at the award-winning Marischal Square in Aberdeen. Here we worked with Aberdeen City Council and Aviva to sensitively blend old and new as part of transformative vision for the future of the Granite City.

Near to the historic Marischal College building, we drew inspiration from the heritage of the city to create a lively mixed-use quarter with workspace, a hotel, cafes, restaurants and distinctive public space.

As part of the vision to re-invigorate this important part of Aberdeen, we placed art and culture right at the centre, with a landmark steel leopard sculptor acting as a striking way point for people to come together within this renewed civic centre.

Yet, as we look to accelerate delivery across the country we need to remember that the “quarter” represents far more than a planning term, geographical divide, or method to market a place.

At Manor Road Quarter in Canning Town, ECF – our placemaking partnership with L&G and Homes England– is working in partnership with the Greater London Authority and Newham Council to respond to the unique needs of the surrounding community while also creating a new neighbourhood which draws a wide range of people to Newham.

A former industrial and commercial area, Canning Town had historically been home to workers for London’s docks. It was characterised by low-density housing and limited green spaces.

Manor Road Quarter (MRQ) was identified as an exciting opportunity for regeneration and placemaking, and as a location for new homes.

We responded to this by creating a place where people can live, work, shop, and visit. By listening to local priorities, working closely with our partners, and creating it with the help of local employers, we’re shaping an authentic and inclusive growing community.

At its heart is the new 2.9-acre linear Green Haven Park. This is a place which has been designed and built with local people at the outset. One which began with engagement with pupils at Star Primary School and was subsequently designed with their physical and mental wellbeing front of mind, alongside the needs of users across all age ranges, who were empowered to share their ideas.

Today the park features a running track, skate bowl, outdoor gym and table tennis tables. Bringing together all the right ingredients for wellbeing, the park also includes rain gardens, wildlife habitats, planted terraces, seating and picnic areas to boost mental health.

In our experience, each area we work in possesses its own character and charm that contributes to the larger tapestry of city or town life. Working in partnership, we look to not only harness that but build on it.

The next generation of successful quarters will likely be those that can continue to prove they can do more than market a place.

It is the responsibility of us as developers, councils, and regional leaders, to ensure that quarters are not just for visitors or new arrivals, but assets for existing residents.

Quarter are not just engines for external investment. They are catalysts for inclusion and community that embed affordability, skills and job pathways, and the voice of local people into the development of the masterplan, rather than treat them as add-ons.

This is what we will be looking to achieve alongside the Bristol Temple Quarter Limited Liability Partnership LLP at Temple Meads West and St Philip’s Marsh in the coming years.

Forming part of the wider vision for Bristol Temple Quarter, our partnership will help to unlock thousands of new homes, create jobs, and deliver world-class public spaces in the heart of Bristol.

To achieve this we will work to coordinate and deliver a place which combines robust heritage with sustainable design and sets a new standard for community-focused placemaking in the city-region’s unique spirit.

In doing so, we can set a new benchmark for truly collaborative regeneration, demonstrating what is possible when public, private and infrastructure partners unite behind a shared vision.