Inspiring future placemakers in Bristol

Shaping the future of our cities starts with empowering the next generation.

That’s why we recently partnered with Shape My City, a Design West initiative, to deliver a hands-on masterplanning workshop for young people in Bristol.

Led by six of our colleagues, the workshop aimed to open doors and spark curiosity in the younger generation. It gave students from a range of backgrounds under-represented in the built environment sector a chance to explore what it really means to shape a place.

The session kicked off with an introduction to masterplanning: what it is, why it matters, and how it guides the long-term development of large sites. We explored the delicate balance between sustainability, inclusivity, and economic viability, and how these principles inform every decision we make.

From there, students rolled up their sleeves and got stuck into the practical side of placemaking. They conducted site analysis, developed their own masterplan concepts, and tackled real-world challenges, all with guidance and feedback from the Muse team.

Other than teaching technical skills, the workshop aimed to build confidence, broaden horizons, and inspire future careers in planning and development.

The highlight for us was the final presentations where we watched the students present their ideas with confidence, creativity, and purpose. It was delightful to see their passion for planning inclusive places shine through!

We’re incredibly proud of the students who took part and grateful to our partners at Design West for making this possible. By supporting initiatives like Shape My City, we’re encouraging young people to build skills and confidence, whilst reinforcing our commitment to creating places that deliver value beyond the red-line boundaries.