Muse + partners helps define placemaking agenda at UKREiiF 2024
29.05.24 3 min read
Over 12,000 people from across the public and private sector attended UKREiiF – the UK Real Estate Infrastructure & Investment Forum – at Leeds Docks between 21st and 23rd May.
With our own dedicated event and meeting space – Muse + Partners – together, we helped define the placemaking agenda. We explored the delivery of affordable housing, town centre regeneration, social value, sustainable delivery, New Towns, and how to curate high-quality new places – amongst a breadth of other challenges and opportunities.
Across a packed schedule, we collaborated with a diverse range of our partners from across the country. From Homes England, Legal & General, PIC, Liverpool City Region, Rotherham Council, St Helens Council, Solihull Council, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Network Rail – and many others.
Along with our partners, we showcased places we are delivering from Salford, to Solihull, St Helens, Bradford, Wolverhampton, Rotherham, and Canning Town. All case studies, demonstrating our ability to deliver, but also reflecting the challenges we face and the lessons we’ve learned.
Right at the outset and working with our partners at Homes England and Legal & General, we highlighted the expansion of ECF as the supergroup embarks on its next phase of growth.
Now £400m in size, an expert panel discussed how more places will benefit from ECF’s unique placemaking partnership, building on our work in London, Liverpool, Plymouth, and Salford.
Mike Auger (Managing Director – South, Muse), Danielle Gillespie (Director for Cities and Urban Conurbations, Homes England), and Tom Roberts (Head of Strategic Investment, Legal & General Investment Management) demonstrated how ECF will drive quality placemaking, create opportunity and tackle deprivation in those areas often left behind.
Bringing together local partners, we showcased exciting ambitions to regenerate and invest in places and economies. Alongside Solihull Council, Cushman & Wakefield, and Howells, we investigated the challenges and opportunities of regenerating an already successful town centre.
Together Muse, St Helen’s Council, Legal & General, and Liverpool City Region discussed social change and delivering social impact through regeneration and placemaking. Whilst with Stevenage and Milton Keynes councils we investigated the opportunities presented by New Towns.
In partnership with the British Property Federation, we were delighted to host the Housing Minister and industry leaders for a roundtable discussion on how investors can support the creation of thriving places.
Muse + Partners remained a hub of place-based activity and discussion, our team was engaged across the conference to discuss regeneration, placemaking, and our vision for new places.
Working in partnership with the West Midlands Growth Company and Solihull Council, we launched the emerging masterplan for the regeneration of Mell Square in Solihull.
As part of a diverse new place, the regeneration of Mell Square could deliver new homes, and retail opportunities, and curate an exciting evening and nighttime economy. Releasing a series of new images, the masterplan was launched at the West Midlands pavilion by council leader Ian Courts.
As part of a three-day Bradford showcase, new CGIs were also released by ECF for Bradford City Village. Reflecting the latest masterplan, Bradford City Village will deliver a sustainable residential neighbourhood with 1,000 new homes, as well as independent retail and leisure, alongside business space and public realm.
By working with our partners at the UK’s biggest built environment and regional development conference, we are helping to set the agenda for placemaking and regeneration in the UK.
Affordability, sustainability, partnership working, and economic opportunity remained consistent themes. As news of a General Election filtered through, the importance of strong local partnerships and delivering for communities remained the priority.
