Today, we launch A Story of Participation with the Greater London Authority and Peabody, a new report aimed at developers and built environment professionals.
It explores how co-production programmes, working with residents and local people, can be commissioned to successfully regenerate and revive places and spaces. Sharing lessons from South Thamesmead Garden Estate (STGE), the report considers how all those involved can fully participate, exploring how the principles of co-production translate into practice.
Today’s launch follows a visit to the STGE by the Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy, Mete Coban. He says:
“What I’ve seen in Thamesmead is an exemplary transformation. It’s an important investment in people’s mental wellbeing, creating spaces where people can go out and unwind with their families. It’s authentic, genuine engagement. It’s fantastic that Peabody has got community buy-in and that local people have a stake in it. This is an excellent example of local people co-designing spaces that work for them and help deliver our vision of a fairer, greener London.”
Bringing residents and communities together with other stakeholders to create meaningful solutions means shaping places with – not just for – the people who will be most impacted by change, notes The Young Foundation’s Interim Co-Director of Research, Siân Whyte. She says:
“There is an increasing recognition that placemaking, regeneration and housebuilding must work for the people it serves. This is creating opportunities for policymakers and funders to support built environment professionals to reimagine – even rebuild – traditional structures of decision-making, and optimise the conditions for successful co-production.”
A frequently asked question is; are communities ready and able to participate in co-producing such projects? This report asks; are commissioners and practitioners ready? It shares practical reflections from those involved, including a dedicated group of ten residents – the Community Design Collective – who have been involved in the design of shared spaces in the STGE.
A Story of Participation also explores how the positive social impact of co-produced regeneration projects is not just about what is physically created, but also less tangible benefits gained through greater collaboration between institutions, businesses and communities. It calls on policymakers and funders to challenge assumptions of when communities want to (and can) be engaged in existing processes; to build capacity to reflect and learn; and to explore a variety of funding models.
The work in Thamesmead was part of the EU Horizon 2020 CLEVER Cities research and innovation programme, driving collaborative, nature-based solutions addressing the climate crisis, increasing biodiversity, and tackling social and economic inequalities.
To find out more about our work exploring institutional and commissioner readiness for participatory approaches and how to involve communities meaningfully in placemaking, contact Siân Whyte.
Housing and regeneration Innovation and Investment Social innovation Posted on: 10 September 2025