This episode focuses on the value of place making within construction and engineering projects.
Place making is the practice of ensuring that a project goes beyond functionality and delivers something that benefits the society in which it is being constructed. It is ensuring that there is space above and around it for public use, which will bolster a community with new resources.
Fitting in the requirements of a client while also providing wider benefit for the community can make place making feel like a difficult jigsaw, but it has wide-ranging knock-on effects that make it worthwhile. These include improved mental health, physical health, pride of place and economic uplift. These are long-term positives for a broad swatch of society.
We’ve seen plenty of placemaking within cities with the likes of the Battersea and Nine Elms developments around the Northern Line extension or the creation of MediaCity at the previously derelict Salford Quay docklands. However, these types of regenerative projects can also be smaller but just as transformational in smaller locations.
The guests joining NCE assistant news editor Rob Hakimian on this month’s episode have plenty of experience in place making initiatives.
Alex Scott-Whitby is the founder and director of Scott Whitby Studios, the architectural firm that walked away with the Place Making Initiative of the Year award at this year’s British Construction Industry Awards for its Jubilee Pool project in Penzance – a project that is discussed in the podcast.
Alongside Alex is Chris Short, iconic bridge director at Arcadis. Chris’ work also sees him sit on Arcadis’ infrastructure group, which focuses on urban development – something that he is passionate about.
In this conversation, Alex and Chris discuss the importance of place making and how it should be embedded into projects. They talk specifically about the ScottWhitby Studio’s Jubilee Pool and the benefits it has brought to the people of Penzance. They also discuss the makeup of the current urban landscape and how it can be redressed to better serve the public.
The discussion also takes a broader view to discuss the implementation of place making; who has the responsibility to make sure it happens and what is the best way for those working on a project to bring it into a design. Lastly, they look to the future to imagine what towns and cities might look and feel like in the future if place making is instilled in all future developments.
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Talking Thames Tideway with Andy Mitchell, CEO of Tideway
Exploring the benefits of pedestrian modelling software in designing, planning and delivering railway stations with Eduardo Lazzarotto from Bentley and Cameron MacDonald from Atkins
Talking future projects, and London Power Tunnels with Gareth Burden from National Grid
Learn about AECOM’s journey working digitally and the positive long-term impacts of Covid-19, with Michael Warren
Talking digital workflows and the long-term changes to the industry with Dustin Parkman from Bentley Systems
Opening the £1.5bn major A14 upgrade programme 8 months early with Highways England’s David Bray
HS2 notice to proceed, and civil engineering meets circular economy with Stephen Boyle
Coronavirus Special – What impact is Covid-19 having on the industry?
Heathrow West, the alternative plan for Heathrow Airport with Carlton Brown
Running mega projects and lessons learned with Crossrail’s Mark Wild
Talking Heathrow Airport’s Expansion Programme with Phil Wilbraham
The Climate Emergency and Net Zero with Keith Clarke
Meaningful Infrastructure with Sadie Morgan
Preposterous Politics: what does it all mean for infrastructure in the UK?
Crossrail 2 with Michèle Dix
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