Creating Mixed Communities: how do we do it?
Professor Cliff Hague, Professor Emeritus at Heriot Watt University
Sarah Webb, Deputy Chief Executive, CIH
Commentators have advocated the developing mixed communities to combat inequality and disadvantage. Despite this the majority of new development continue to be single tenure.
Sarah Webb, Deputy Chief Executive of CIH, began her presentation by creating a picture of the current sate of social housing in England. Social housing tenants are among the lowest income earners, and the percentage of tenants in full time employment continues to fall. Two-thirds of social housing is still located in council built estates, and the problem is exacerbated by building exclusively executive housing developments.
She said that local authorities need to be more robust in creating mixed communities through large scale remodelling and rebuilding to give people real choice about the area and tenure they want to live in.
Sarah suggested the use of innovative approaches such as a national target for mixed tenure or tenure blind developments. She also said that we should be building flexibility into tenure. She concluded by emphasising the importance of looking beyond just housing toward improving local schools, providing green space, and working to improve the image of social housing.
Cliff Hague addressed the planning side of creating mixed communities and highlighted the complexity of creating an ideal tenure mix. He advocated for "pro-poor planning" as an approach to deliver social justice.
Challenges for planners include relieving pressures on affordability, scaling of mix, and ensuring layout and design does not create segregation of tenure types. He proposed a comprehensive approach and the use of master plans created on a shared vision by stakeholders.
He concludes that sustaining mix will require a wider approach than just housing and tenure. Thriving and sustainable mixed communities require good design, a range of services, and quality open space.