Scottish Towns Conference 2024

I’m always really impressed by Scotland’s placemaking organisations. They face similar challenges to the rest of the UK, but there is a feeling that they operate as more of a cohesive community, tackling those challenges together. On the whole, I have found them to be welcome to new ideas and importantly to act upon them. I don’t know whether this comes as a result of being a smaller country but whatever it is, I support it. Here are my notes from the recent conference in the wonderful city of Perth.

Paving the Way for Sustainable and Thriving Communities

The Scottish Towns Conference 2024 brought together leaders, innovators, and policymakers to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Scotland's towns. With an overarching focus on sustainable development and regeneration, key speakers offered insights into initiatives, strategies, and visions that aim to future-proof town centres across the nation.

Investing in Our Assets for Sustainable Towns of the Future

Tom Arthur MSP, Minister for Employment and Investment, outlined the Scottish Government's commitment to a town centre first principle, where the health of town centres underpins decision-making. Recognising that regeneration is neither quick nor easy, the Minister stressed the importance of collaboration, innovation, and long-term thinking.

Key initiatives include the Town Centre Forum, which actively tackles local challenges in partnership with the Scottish Towns Partnership (STP). Notably, Scotland now boasts 37 Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), each leveraging Seedcorn funding to kickstart projects that act as catalysts for broader investment.

At the heart of this approach is community-led regeneration, ensuring that local voices shape sustainable and inclusive futures for their towns.

The River Tay, Scotland’s longest river and historically the lifeblood of Perth.

Perth and Kinross: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities

Grant Laing, Leader of Perth and Kinross Council, shared his council’s approach to revitalising a town grappling with empty properties and shifting shopping habits. While local authorities face limitations due to private ownership of many buildings, Perth’s strengths lie in its independent businesses offering unique goods and services that cannot be replicated online.

Laing highlighted two key roles for local authorities:

Improving council-owned buildings creatively, respecting heritage and incorporating sustainable building standards like Passive House.
Influencing private property owners to invest in the community.

One transformative example shared was the conversion of vacant spaces into affordable housing, blending heritage preservation with modern needs. Additionally, grants have been pivotal in repurposing underused spaces, contributing to Perth’s cultural-led transformation.

Collaboration for Holistic Regeneration

Charlotte Cordingley, CEO of Clear Futures, emphasised the need for public and private partnerships to create sustainable town centres that align with community needs. A long-term perspective is crucial, as it provides businesses with stability to plan and prepares the ground for new housing and commercial opportunities.

Cordingley identified five essential components for successful regeneration:

Development expertise
Access to investment
Engagement with occupier networks
Experience in leading long-term projects
Strong leadership

Such partnerships have the potential to transform assets into vibrant town centres capable of meeting future demands.

Human, Social, and Financial Capital

The session sponsored by Miconex shed light on innovative approaches to economic sustainability. David, Miconex's Commercial Director, celebrated the success of the Scottish gift card, which has bolstered local economies across Scotland.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Guthrie shared insights from the Isle of Arran, where a development trust has been instrumental in creating affordable housing and attracting skilled workers, fostering long-term community resilience.

Neil McInroy extended the conversation by advocating for strategies to retain wealth within local economies. His vision goes beyond traditional models, calling for a fundamental shift toward an economic system that prioritises place-based capital.

Maria Jaakola from the City of Helsinki inspiring the room.

Learning from Helsinki: A Holistic Approach to Urban Planning

Maria Jaakkola, Head of Research and Development for Urban Space and Landscape Planning in Helsinki, offered an international perspective. Finland, recognised as the happiest country globally for six consecutive years, provides valuable lessons in urban planning.

The Helsinki Master Plan, revised every decade, underpins development with a focus on:

High-quality housing
Efficient transportation
Clean air and water
Accessibility of services
Ample recreational spaces

Jaakkola stressed the importance of planning within planetary boundaries, ensuring sustainable growth that enhances liveability. With Finland’s extensive forests playing a vital role in its environmental strategy, Scotland could take inspiration from Helsinki’s integrated approach to balancing nature and urban development.

Key Takeaways from STC 2024

Community-Led Regeneration: Engaging local voices ensures sustainable and inclusive developments.
Public-Private Partnerships: Collaboration is essential for holistic and long-term regeneration.
Economic Resilience: Initiatives like the Scottish gift card demonstrate the power of keeping capital local.
Innovation in Housing: Transforming vacant spaces into affordable housing meets modern needs while preserving heritage.
Global Inspiration: Scotland can adapt lessons from Finland’s urban planning to create towns that thrive within environmental limits.

As Scotland’s towns continue to face challenges like changing consumer habits and economic pressures, events like the Scottish Towns Conference 2024 highlight the power of innovation, collaboration, and long-term vision. By investing in sustainable practices and community-driven solutions, the future of Scotland’s town centres is bright.

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