The role of the community in creating sustainable and inclusive places
In the ever-evolving world of urban planning and placemaking, the role of the community is more critical than ever.
In an episode of Talking Place, our Creative Director and host Tanisha Raffiuddin sat down with Max Farrell, Chief Executive and Founder of the LDN Collective, to discuss how communities can drive the creation of sustainable, inclusive, and vibrant places.
LDN Collective is a collaborative network of more than 50 members (including Tanisha) with diverse skill sets, all united by a shared commitment to projects with social and environmental impact. The collective specialises in placemaking, urban design, branding, communications, and community engagement.
In our conversation, Max highlights the crucial role of collaboration in addressing complex urban challenges, especially in large-scale regeneration projects. Keep reading for key takeaways on building sustainable and inclusive communities.
What makes a good place?
Layered experiences: A good place offers multiple ways to engage with it, catering to diverse needs and preferences.
Quality public realm: The spaces between buildings are just as important as the buildings themselves. Public spaces should be well-designed, accessible, and connected to nature.
Mixed uses: Successful places are not monocultural. They integrate a variety of functions, from retail and housing to education and healthcare, creating vibrant, dynamic environments.
Connection to nature: Even in urban settings, integrating green spaces and natural elements is essential for physical and mental well-being.
Max also points out that cities are ecosystems, often hosting more biodiversity than rural areas. This understanding should inform urban planning, ensuring that new developments enhance rather than disrupt these ecosystems.
The Importance of community in urban planning
“You need to bring the community into the conversation really early on. You have to understand that they’re a huge resource and there is an enormous amount to learn from them.”
Max stresses that successful urban planning must be bottom-up rather than top-down. Historically, planning has often been imposed from above, leading to places that fail to meet the needs of their inhabitants.
To enhance community engagement, consider these three key steps:
Early involvement: Engage communities from the very beginning. Understanding their needs, aspirations, and concerns is essential for creating spaces that truly resonate with them.
Co-design: Create a collaborative design process where communities actively participate, ensuring a sense of ownership that leads to smoother implementation and greater satisfaction.
Listening and adapting: Effective engagement requires genuine listening and a willingness to refine plans based on community feedback. Flexibility is key to creating spaces that work for everyone.
Max shares examples of successful regeneration projects, such as King’s Cross in London by Argent, where early and meaningful community engagement led to a thriving, inclusive neighbourhood. He also highlights the importance of storytelling in communicating the vision for a place, helping communities understand and support the long-term benefits of regeneration.
Creating sustainable and inclusive communities
“It’s about being not just environmentally sustainable, which I think we understand a lot better now as an industry, but being socially sustainable. And that means a whole range of different types of housing as well. If you’re going to cater for a diverse population, you need housing for families, for older people, you need housing for students.”
Successful urban planning goes beyond constructing buildings - it requires a thoughtful approach to housing, infrastructure, and connectivity to create places where people can truly thrive.
A key aspect of sustainable communities is diverse housing options that cater to a wide range of residents, from families to older adults and students. Ensuring access to essential services such as education, healthcare, and employment opportunities within the community is equally critical, helping to create both social cohesion and economic well-being.
Another fundamental component is green infrastructure, which serves a purpose beyond aesthetics. Incorporating nature into urban design not only enhances public spaces but also provides vital environmental benefits, such as urban drainage and improved air quality. Transport and connectivity also play a major role, with walkable neighbourhoods, cycling infrastructure, and efficient public transport systems helping to reduce car dependency and promote sustainable mobility.
Max also underscores the concept of housing as infrastructure, arguing that safe and secure housing is the foundation for broader social and economic progress. Without addressing the housing crisis, efforts to improve education, employment, and public health will be significantly hindered.
By prioritising these key elements - diverse housing, integrated services, green spaces, and strong connectivity - we can create places that are not only livable but also resilient, sustainable, and inclusive for future generations.
Social value & community engagement
Max’s focus on creating holistic, sustainable communities seamlessly aligns with the LDN Collective’s recent launch of its social value offer. Max stresses that social value goes beyond profit - it’s about creating lasting benefits for communities.
LDN Collective's approach emphasises understanding the needs of stakeholders, setting measurable goals, and creating collaboration across disciplines to deliver tangible social benefits. Through these combined efforts, the future of placemaking lies in creating spaces that are functional, sustainable, inclusive, and vibrant for all.
Yet, the built environment sector faces significant challenges, particularly when it comes to collaboration and shared values. Max advocates for a "turbocharged" approach to collaboration, urging the industry to align around core values such as sustainability, inclusivity, and social impact. To drive meaningful change, it’s essential to prioritise projects that deliver both social and environmental benefits, encourage collaboration, and focus on long-term, adaptable solutions.
Ultimately, the future of placemaking rests on the idea that "the place is the client, and the community is the client." By involving communities in every stage of the design, right from the brief and throughout the development process, we can create spaces that are not only sustainable and functional but also inclusive and vibrant for everyone.
Curious to know more about Max Farrell and his insights?
Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube to hear Tanisha Raffiuddin and Max Farrell’s conversation on the role of the community in creating sustainable and inclusive places.
Stay connected with us on Talking Place’s Instagram, LinkedIn, X, Bluesky, and TikTok for updates on upcoming episodes, where Tanisha talks with experts across the built environment. From placemaking and branding to sustainability, finance, health, culture, and more, each episode shares valuable insights and practical advice to help inspire your place-based projects and initiatives.
‘Talk’ soon!