Search

Towns are often overlooked. They are, however, a key element of global urban infrastructure. Decline is not inevitable. Towns and town centres are for the well-being of people, the planet and the economy. Towns are for everyone, and everyone has a role to play in making our towns and town centres successful. The Scottish Government review, 'A New Future for Scotland's Towns', is an attempt to use its town centres to help deal with COVID-19 recovery, tackle the climate emergency and deal with systemic market failures while attempting to rebalance taxation to enable collaborative and community-focused investment into town centres. The review captured input from a wide range of stakeholders, from pension funds and the commercial property sector to local government and community groups. Importantly, housing, digital, climate, transport, culture, health and economy sectors were engaged. The review also listened to the 'unheard voices' in society: migrants, poverty forums, young people, the disabled, etc. Communities felt disconnected but there was a recognition that some places were doing well and that we can learn from them. We discovered that there was a substantial over-provision of retail space and that housing and planning policies needed to adjust to allow more residential and mixed used solutions. Not enough was being done on climate, digital or well-being. There were systemic imbalances in how businesses were being taxed and how development was being encouraged. A positive interim response to the report has already been agreed by central and local government. The next step is driving these recommendations forward collectively and in close consultation with the key stakeholders. We expect this work will take place over summer 2021, with a new Town Centre Action Plan setting out detailed proposals to enact the recommendations in the autumn. This review will ensure that Scotland remains at the forefront of town centre regeneration; a holistic place-based approach involving all actors should see substantial improvements made over the coming years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper outlines the effectiveness and future direction for Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and Town Centre Management strategies in Scotland's towns. Key issues include: the current context of Scotland's towns; the evolution of BIDs and community empowerment; town centre management; the effectiveness of both approaches; and the future direction for these strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper outlines the approach taken by East Renfrewshire Council to regenerate Barrhead, a typical post-industrial town in the west of Scotland. A major long-term regeneration programme began in 2006 with a view to bringing in new inward investment, creating jobs, improving health outcomes, raising educational achievement, improving house values and creating much enhanced public realm, green space and amenity within the town itself. Key issues include: deindustrialisation and the need to reinvent the purpose and function of the town in the wider Clyde Valley/Glasgow City context, how to develop a long-term approach, the stages involved and the requirement to secure political commitment, Urban Design Framework - high-quality approach, combining all the opportunities, keeping on track, when major elements are delayed or lost, measuring impacts - some unforeseen success, what would be done differently next time? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]