Town Centres & Estates: How can effective Public-Private Collaboration unlock & deliver Place-based Regeneration?

Although our centres face unprecedented challenges as traditional retail models decline, they remain critical economic and social assets, and the most sustainable locations for new homes and infrastructure. This session examines how public and private sector partners can work together to develop coordinated visions and approaches that align investment and delivery with local needs. We will explore practical methods for understanding community & stakeholder requirements, where tensions exist, how different funding mechanisms can enable &/or constrain collaborative working, and what governance structures support effective partnerships. We will identify common barriers to alignment and discuss what skills, ways of working and processes are needed to move from parallel agendas to genuinely joined-up place-based visions and strategies focussed on delivering viable new homes, education, healthcare, community, civic and wider commercial uses.