Nottingham aspires to work alongside communities and the general public to create inclusive, inviting places that work for all. The Community Engagement Guide (2019) set ambitions and expectations for the type and quality of engagement processes Nottingham anticipates. This guide also establishes thresholds for what will be accepted as minimum requirements and it provides guidance and examples of best practice for Place-making and Place-keeping.
1.2 Communities
People are happier when they support each other and when they care for their places and their communities. Having a welcoming and familiar group of people around us is an essential part of human life that can help tackle social isolation. Designers should group or align houses to form street patterns that create opportunities for neighbours to meet or have a brief chat. Public places should be designed considering their capacity to provide a platform for people of all ages to meet and develop neighbourly relations. Active public places should be central or at short distance and easy access from all homes. Schemes should find the right balance and mixture of tenures according to their context to deliver vibrant, inclusive communities.
Nottingham City Council will not support gated homes or gated clusters of homes, as these often result in segregated communities that find it difficult to integrate with their neighbours in adjacent areas.
The vision for any scheme must be developed in consultation with stakeholders and the local community. This is important because when places become part of people’s lives they take ownership and are keener to protect them, and the people within them. Caring for places can result in increased sense of belonging and ultimately, increased happiness.
Design Criteria
1.2.1 Involve the community and stakeholders in the design process*.
1.2.2 Create opportunities for co-design and active engagement through the design process*.
1.2.3 Create, expand or enhance public places that encourage social interaction and public activity.
1.2.4 Design homes that contribute towards animating the street through their positioning, facade design and details treatment.
*1.2.1 and 1.2.2 shall be achieved by adhering to the criteria of the Community Engagement Guide.