Urban Renaissance Institute :: Regeneration Research, Training & Consultancy

Thought leadership projects

Our work to support the development of innovative or breakthrough thinking has involved us in several interesting studies, summaries of which can be found on the Reports and Programmes page:

Economic Development Analysis and Policy Direction, and Advice on formation of Economic Development Company for Wycombe District Council
Economic Development Inward Investment Action Plan, defining priorities for a major growth in future job prospects through retention, inward investment and land supply strategies for Buckinghamshire County Council
UniverCities pilot research study, for the Academy of Urbanism/ funded by SEEDA for three pilot UniverCities in the South East, evaluating their potential as a collaborative cross-sector place-based learning model, with Brighton, Portsmouth and Medway
Strategic Urban Design (StrUD) Literature & Case Study Review, for CABE exploring the understanding of spatial planning and a strategic urban design approach in the UK to help spatial planning-orientated development and delivery.
Learning Laboratory project for the Academy for Sustainable Communities, Ashford’s Future (LDV) & SEEDA, exploring the skills and organisational structure for successful local delivery vehicles (LDVs), undertaking a skills audit, examining success of partnership working, benchmarking other LDVs and delivery models and preparing subsequent training programmes.
Learning Laboratory project for the Academy for Sustainable Communities, Essex County Council & Inspire East, on regeneration delivery skills, the potential impact of the 2012 Olympics on local regeneration and the development of concept for Learning.
Exploring the impact of academic institutions on local context, jointly with Medway Council, on the social, cultural and economic base of the Medway towns, learning from elsewhere as pilot research report to inform local authority and university planning.
An Enterprise Vision for Medway, developing an employment regeneration strategy through scenaria reflecting ‘positive place’ attributes and in the context of a lack of obvious demand, for Medway Renaissance Partnership, with DEGW
Vision 2020, Hoo Energy Port: Adaptation to a Changing Climate, exploring the potential economic and environmental impacts of the proposed EON power station on Hoo Peninsular, and the case for an environmental technology cluster in Medway, for Medway Renaissance Partnership, with DEGW
Thames Gateway Design Framework, contributor and steering group member of CABE's workshop-based consultation programme and the development of design quality guidance to take further Thames Gateway identity research