By Robin Shepherd, Director – Barton Willmore, now Stantec
The future of development is sustainable growth – and the Central South is leading the way.
Today we all face unprecedented global challenges, be that in planning for our health and wellbeing, adapting to new ways of living and working, leisure and tourism, the critical need to address climate change or planning for growth. These global issues require solutions not only at the national level, but also at regional and community levels, each playing their part toward the common goals.
Every developed nation and local region faces challenges of needing more homes, new infrastructure, social progress, economic growth as well as environmental protection. Yet in a world fraught with division, be that through seeking competitive advantage, social differences or political persuasion, never has there been a greater need for business, governments and communities to work together.
COLLABORATION ON COMMON GOALS
While these objectives are often perceived as conflicting, we have proved over many years that a sustainable zero carbon Central South is achievable alongside significant growth. Realising this requires us to see things differently – to look at the bigger picture and plan in a way where every objective is mutually supportive and beneficial. This is what is being achieved in the Central South, where business and local government is working collaboratively to champion all the region has to offer and secure sustainable growth that benefits everyone.
You don’t need to look further for evidence than the beautiful Solent water environment, which not only benefits biodiversity, but also attracts both investment and tourism, as one of the world’s leading maritime economies and leisure environments. It’s rare to see such collaboration and focus on a common purpose, and this is one of the things that makes the Central South unique.
Artist impression of The Landings – Ford Airfield in West Sussex
This hasn’t happened overnight. Barton Willmore, now Stantec, has been one of the key driving forces bringing organisations and government together to collaborate and focus around a single narrative. Attending MIPIM is just one part of that story, and is testament to the commitment of so many Central South organisations giving up their time to fly the region’s flag.
IDENTIFYING AND LEVERAGING LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES
One of the biggest single opportunities for investment in the UK is the Solent Freeport which, as the UK’s most important gateway to European and global markets, seeks to leverage its strengths to accelerate new investment specifically targeted at state-ofthe-art growth sectors and ground-breaking approaches to decarbonisation and green innovation.
But it’s not just about the maritime economy. The Central South also has six world-class universities, specialist hubs for aerospace and defence technology, renewable technologies and composite manufacturing. This is set within a stunning natural environment (including two national parks) and magnificent heritage, all of which drives a thriving tourist economy. In this context balancing sustainability with economic growth is a necessity for the region, part of the reason it has been able to lead the way – while also creating an amazing place to live and work.
The power of collaboration is also demonstrated in the cocreation of new communities and the revitalisation and regeneration of our cities – getting everyone around the table together in deciding the right solutions. As planners, designers and placemakers, Barton Willmore, now Stantec, has been proud to have unlocked billions of pounds of investment across the Central South through our approach to community development.
Working closely with local authorities, government agencies and local communities we continue to create some of the most exciting and impactful development and investment projects across the Central South. In contrast to many schemes which suffer from a lack of community support or political buy-in, we have a reputation for leading in the co-creation of large scale and complex new communities which receive overwhelming local support and deliver significant benefits to the region.
Having seen the region pioneer sustainable growth locally, we believe the Central South is on the cusp of something amazing. It’s why the UK government and many businesses like ours have invested in the area ourselves. Be this in the Freeport, a collective Vision for the Central South, or continued progress toward a zero-carbon economy. We are proud to be at the heart of this collaboration.
As featured in Central South’s PROSPER Magazine – download the full magazine here.
