The Mayors’ Guide
How to build back joy and belonging
Why Mayors? Why now?
The UK’s Metro Mayors are at the heart of delivering the Government’s ambitious growth targets. With a huge political focus on restoring a sense of pride in where we live, coupled with strong demand for change from citizens, there’s a huge opportunity for Mayors.
We think they’re uniquely positioned to be bold in their vision for cities, and combat the ‘blandemic’ of boring buildings, cookie-cutter development and identikit streets.
Humanise’s new Mayors’ Guide offers three recommendations for Mayors, along with inspirational examples and practical resources to support them and their teams.
Image (top): Plan for Merwede district in Utrecht (Marc Koehler Associates)
The guide sets out three recommendations for Mayors:
1. Craft an awesome long-term vision
Tell a compelling story about how you want your region, city or town to feel to people, reflecting its distinctive character. This vision should guide your Spatial Development Strategy and set expectations for uplifting new buildings.
2. Bring in design expertise and work with the right people
Bring design expertise – such as a City Architect – into your team to ensure new development delivers human-centred outcomes. Attract developers and investors who meet your standards and share your vision.
3. Lead by example
Use your influence over public investment, land and procurement to create the conditions for better design. Deploy all the tools at your disposal, including incentives to encourage developers to make better buildings. Back a highly visible project to build momentum.
“People’s sense of pride about where they live is under real strain, and it’s playing out politically, socially and on our streets. At a time when the country is investing in housebuilding, regeneration and infrastructure, we have a once-in-a-generation moment to shape how people feel about their places.
“Mayors can’t design every building, but they can set the conditions in which joyful, human buildings become the norm. If they don’t use that influence now, the country risks hardwiring another generation of bland, monotonous development into everyday life.
“Our new Guide is designed to inspire and support Mayors and their teams to lead a renaissance of UK towns and cities. There’s never been a better time to start.”
Abigail Scott PaulGlobal Head of the Humanise Campaign
