What amenities drive footfall in UK town centres? A machine learning approach using OpenStreetMap data

In the United Kingdom, town centres face significant economic and social challenges, with amenities playing a crucial role in their vitality. However, no existing study has thoroughly investigated the relationship between amenities and footfall, a key measure of place vitality. This research addresses this gap by examining which amenities drive footfall in UK town centres. The study employs the random forest modelling, to analyse data from OpenStreetMap (OSM) and footfall data from 960 counters across the United Kingdom. Our findings reveal that OSM data can effectively predict footfall, highlighting the importance of diverse amenities. Key amenities identified include hotels, pedestrian ways, and retail establishments. Furthermore, the study identifies critical inflection points where the presence of certain amenities significantly boosts urban vitality. These insights offer valuable guidance for urban planning and development, suggesting that a mix of diverse amenities at appropriate levels can enhance the attractiveness and vitality of town centres. </jats:p

A chronotopic evaluation of Autonomous Rog: the spatiotemporalities of a “quasi-public” urban squat

The paper explores an urban squat in Ljubljana, Slovenia, following a chronotopic narrative approach. Urban squats often represent a manifestation of alternative notions of who belongs where, when, and why, questions that matter when issues pertaining to their legal status are raised. We examine the case of Autonomous Rog, a formerly squatted bike factory area in the city centre of Ljubljana that the Supreme Court of Slovenia described as ‘quasi-public’. The paper welcomes the Slovenian Supreme Court’s ability to appreciate the social, spatiotemporal, and material elements that make up this idiotropic type of urban space, moving beyond the confines of human-centred legal analysis. We present the journey of Autonomous Rog through three distinctive chronotopic viewpoints, in order to accentuate the subversive human and material properties that found their way into the Slovenian legal system, as we reflect on the law’s ability to embrace spatiotemporal representations in an urban context

Repositioning the High Street: evidence and reflection from the UK

Purpose Drawing on evidence from ten towns (across England, Wales and Northern Ireland) participating in the High Street UK 2020 (HSUK2020) project, the aim of this paper is to reveal how local stakeholders involved in place management respond to High Street decline through a strategy of repositioning. Design/Methodology/Approach This paper identifies the challenges faced by towns considering repositioning, and highlights examples of good practice of relevance to practitioners. First, it outlines perspectives on repositioning from academic research and theory, before drawing on evidence from across ten UK towns who participated in the HSUK2020 project, to reveal how repositioning involves more than just taking a snapshot profile of a place. Findings The research revealed major challenges faced by local stakeholders in clearly identifying and communicating their market position, in particular, the maintenance of up-to-date information on catchments was lacking in all of the locations. Despite having local knowledge and some data, stakeholders still did not possess a clear (or shared) understanding of the identity or function of their towns. This evidence reflects the complexity of analysing and understanding repositioning and developing coherent strategies. Practical Implications Knowledge exchange between stakeholders involved in place management can help inform the identification of new strategic objectives, appropriate interventions, and project planning and delivery. Where resources are limited, particularly in smaller towns and settlements, the research demonstrates the significance of collecting and sharing data and analysis with other stakeholders, because this can generate positive outcomes for all. Originality/Value By offering empirical evidence based on the experience of local practitioners, this paper provides a valuable insight into how town centre stakeholders collect, interpret and analyse data, revealing the challenges, opportunities and practicalities involved in developing and implementing repositioning strategies

Re-branding the High Street: The place branding process and reflections from three UK towns

Purpose The main aim of this article is to develop a holistic understanding of place branding and reflect on its practical value and implications, by drawing evidence from the rebranding process of three UK towns (Alsager, Altrincham, and Holmfirth) that participated in the HSUK2020 project. Design/methodology/approach A comprehensive place branding process that includes the interrelated stages of research, deliberation, consultation, action, and communication is presented. The practical value of this theoretical proposition is linked to the experiences of three UK towns that participated in the HSUK2020 project. Findings The importance of research, the challenges of participation, and the role of communications in place branding processes were identified as primary issues in all towns. The results of the project demonstrate the significance of the initial research stage of the place branding process and show that the process as a whole is valuable in helping places deal effectively with identity issues. Research limitations/implications Participatory place branding processes can flourish when place stakeholders are engaged in the right context and are encouraged to work together. In addition, place brands are important cues and empower stakeholders’ participation in all stages of place brand processes. Practical implications Knowledge exchange projects that have the potential to engage a plethora of place stakeholders should be considered by practitioners for future place branding strategies. Originality/value The paper offers a refreshing practical grounding on participatory place branding concepts and theories. The value of knowledge exchange strategies for examining the field of place branding is also highlighted and can become a useful research approach for future research

High Street Business Resilience Survey (May 2020)

Research from the Institute of Place Management shows that 96% of businesses in English town and city centres need government support in order to navigate COVID-19 and its impact on high streets. This report investigates the resilience of businesses across different sectors on the high street and how they have responded to lockdown measures

Cheadle: Vital and Viable Stockport District Centres

This report has been prepared following a workshop held on the 16th of March 2022, attended key local stakeholders from Cheadle. Facilitated by the Institute of Place Management at the invitation of Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, the event formed part a wider programme of work Stockport is undertaking to revitalise district centres in terms of post-pandemic recovery and longterm viability. This report builds, therefore, on findings collated by IPM to inform the council’s approach to supporting Stockport’s district centres

Reddish: Vital and Viable Stockport District Centres

This report has been prepared following a workshop held on the 22nd of March 2022, attended key local stakeholders from Reddish. Facilitated by the Institute of Place Management at the invitation of Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, the event formed part a wider programme of work Stockport is undertaking to revitalise district centres in terms of post-pandemic recovery and longterm viability. This report builds, therefore, on findings collated by IPM to inform the council’s approach to supporting Stockport’s district centres

Edgeley: Vital and Viable Stockport District Centres

Many factors affect the vitality and viability of high streets and town centres. Some of the changes we see today are long-term processes, some stretching back decades. The global pandemic brought new and additional challenges, but also provided the spur to reimagine and redefine the high street, not only to manage recovery, but to also prepare and adapt for a more resilient future