In May 2011 the Government commssioned Mary Portas to lead a review to look at ways of tackling the decline in Britain's high streets. The think-tank Urban Pollinators, in conjunction with a group of collaborators which include the Empty Shops Network, Meanwhile Space and ResPublica, have published their thoughts on what might be done here. The vision is of a 21st century agora:
Just as the ancient Greek agora was the place where democracy was exercised, so the 21st century agora should be a place that meets the civic needs of today’s and tomorrow’s public: engagement in society, in culture and the arts, in learning, in relaxation and enjoyment of green space, in sport and play, in socialising and debating local futures – and in shopping and trading.
The report includes several interesting case studies from places like Brixton Village, Hackney, Garstang and Todmorden.
No policy document is complete without tedious case studies of Todmorden and Brixton Village.
Posted by: Callum | 23 August 2011 at 08:38 AM