A series of events are taking place to inspire and influence work to have more people living in Scotland’s town and city centres.
Communities across the country are awakening to the benefits of having more people living - as well as working - in the heart of communities.
It is a move credited with adding vibrancy and footfall to towns - whether by bringing disused sites back to life or through creating a new generation of sustainable homes above shops and other buildings.
The Town Centre Living and Investment Roadshow is being delivered collaboratively by Scotland’s Towns Partnership, Scottish Futures Trust, Architecture and Design Scotland and the Scottish Land Commission.
The events, for practitioners and community organisations which have developed or are developing projects, will provide a platform to showcase exemplar projects and live case studies from across the country.
Each date will have a specific focus.
Key themes from discussion, best practices and recommendations will be shared back to the joint CoSLA and Ministerial National Towns Forum in April 2024.
Kimberley Guthrie, Chief Officer of Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), said: “Vibrant, sustainable and successful town centres of the future will be those in which people live, work and visit.
“This roadshow is a fantastic opportunity for practitioners and groups pursuing plans to learn from each other and discover more about the transformational power of town centre living. Not only could this further unlock the very real potential which exists across Scotland, but the pace at which this is realised.”
Heather Claridge, Architecture and Design Scotland’s Director of Design said: “As Scotland’s design champion we have a particular interest in how we can use good place design to make town centres vibrant and caring places to live. We are delighted to partner in this roadshow to learn from those who have already started on the journey and to share our experience on how town centres can contribute to climate-conscious, healthy and well-designed places for people of all generations.”
David Stewart - Policy and Practice Lead - Scottish Land Commission
“Enabling the re-use of empty land and buildings is essential if Scotland is to regenerate our town centres, providing a range of housing close to jobs and services. These roadshows are a great chance to share practical experience and lessons and to learn from pioneers on how we can bring vacant land and buildings back into productive use.”
Capacity at each event is limited, with attendance by registration only.
People can do so by clicking here.
The events:
- February 15th, Perth (Re-think, re-imagine, re-purpose empty assets with a community focus)
- February 22nd, Paisley (Attraction and enablement of town centre living investment from the private sector)
- February 29th, online (Rural and islands town centre living)
- March 7th, Inverness (Adopting a holistic and strategic place making approach)
- March 22nd, Falkirk (Town centre living regeneration. Creating conditions for liveable town centres)
Illustration credited to Richard Carman