From Neighbours to Neighbourhood - Learning On How to Boost Pride in Place

Introduction

This research explores different ways that anyone – from community groups and individuals to local authorities and government decision makers – can boost pride in place.

It shows how communities’ physical spaces and the activities held in them can help to build local pride.

It looks at:

• empowering people to shape where they live

• improving local amenities

• regenerating high streets

• harnessing culture

• offering activities to bring people together

Findings

The research found that pride in place can be supported by:

• empowering people to design and shape where they live: people need a real say in local decisions and how funding is allocated

• improving and safeguarding local amenities like food and transport

• making the local environment feel safe and look attractive: neighbourhoods need ‘bumping spaces’ where people meet by chance and interact naturally to get to know one another better

• supporting community venues to thrive - the activities they offer can be a social lifeline, and help people to recognise one another as friends and neighbours rather than strangers

• creating opportunities for people to participate and build broader community ties

• regenerating and reimagining town centres and high streets

• restoring and using heritage buildings to enhance people’s connection to place, family and history

• harnessing culture to bring people together