I have been writing Policies for Places now for just about 1 year. It began as a ‘twixmas’ activity at the end of December 2022. Since then I have posted some 25 pieces on a range of topics of current relevance to making better places. In doing so I have been much encouraged by the steadily growing number of you who have read these and have found them interesting enough to subscribe.

This post is something of a reprise to recall some of the more popular posts in 2023 in case you missed them, to say thank you to you to my subscribers and to give new readers an idea of what Policies and Places is about. So please share with friends – a subscription might make a last-minute seasonal gift!

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I have selected 4 posts which illustrate themes followed during the year such as the role of learning and skills in the development of places, ideas for encouraging living local through the 15-minute city concept, the benefits for quality of life from better traffic management, and the challenges of building cohesive communities.

Selection 1

More than schools and skills: the importance of learning in urban planning.

The culture of planning has been changing in recent decades as more and more stakeholders are drawn into formulating responses to the complex issues faced by towns and cities indicated above. Extending the understanding of settings in which education takes place to  include not only in schools and colleges but also in families, peer groups and neighbourhoods should more often inform municipal actions. There is a need to ensure a better overlap between the urban landscape and what might be called the learning landscape. demonstrating that the policy areas and actions in urban development and education overlap both spatially and in content.

Read the full article here.

Selection 2

Changing the Rhythm of Life: the 15-minute city in urban planning

Systematic evaluations of the impact of the 15-minute city concept are yet to be undertaken. There is growing evidence about the benefits of elements of the 15-minute neighborhood. For example, studies of walkability in neighborhoods show positive benefits on a number of indicators, the importance of access to green spaces on mental health and wellbeing is well established.  Writers are noting that living locally has for some overcome the urban isolation experienced by many city dwellers. 

So elements of the 15-minute concept are associated with positive changes to social behaviour and interaction. The 15-minute city will be defined by its ability to provide for human needs by walking or cycling for no more than a quarter of an hour, a radical shift from the zonal urban designs of most current cities. The drum beat of the city is changing but the new rhythm is still to be widely felt.

Read the full article here

Selection 3

Putting Traffic in its Place

Whilst there has probably always been an uneasy relationship between traffic and other users of roads and streets, managing that relationship effectively to secure the mutual benefits for all involved has become more complicated in the face of rising numbers of vehicles and vehicle journeys and against the urgency of issues of global warming, zero carbon, cleaner air and risks to public health, and the economic sustainability of towns and cities in the face of changing technologies and work patterns. It is time to re-assesses strategies employed to respond to the issues raised.

Read the full article here

Making Better Places – the Challenge of Social Cohesion

In the face of increasing social inequality, migration, social exclusion and declining social mobility the concept of social cohesion now features prominently in discourse about communities both in academic literature and in social policy debates, yet despite its widespread use by academics, policy-makers and public officials, it is a concept whose succinct definition remains elusive.  The notion of social cohesion revolves around ideas of strong social bonds, a sense of identity and of trust. It is about how connected we feel to others, the extent we feel solidarity and empathy with others and about how much we trust each other.

Read the full article here

In 2023, Policies for Places will continue to highlight these and other emerging issues for better places and the quality of life including the use of AI, the importance of streets, and the smart countryside.

Coming soon  -  Places Briefing

During 2024 I am hoping to add a new publication alongside Policies and Places.

Place Briefing will be a regular newsletter listing notes and links to new place developments, relevant research and publications, and conferences.  Watch this space.