Good design vital for regeneration

Tasked with the regeneration of West Bromwich, Smethwick and Hill Top, Karen Walker, Chief Executive of RegenCo discusses the importance of quality design in the world of regeneration:
Le Corbusier said “Good design is intelligence made visible” and I truly believe that top quality design is at the heart of sustainable regeneration.  Raising the quality bar is inherent to creating an exciting vision for the future.
 
“In our role to drive forward regeneration in West Bromwich we have taken a holistic approach where we are working to link all projects together to create a town that really feels good.
 
“Design is vital when you work in regeneration as it not only affects the physical dynamics of an area but has social and economical implications too.   Design is often not given as much consideration and precedence as it should and well thought out environment and public realm has the ability to really change people’s lives.  By ensuring that design quality is of an exceptional standard you can give a place a new lease of life, raise people’s spirits by instilling a sense of civic pride and restoring identity.  This is exactly what we envisage for West Bromwich and are working very closely with all our partners to achieve this.
 
“We have worked hard, together with Stoford Developments to ensure the design brief set for All Saints, one of our priority projects, a 300,000 sq ft Grade A Office Park is of a very high standard.  The scheme, located just off the Black Country route, adjacent to the Town Centre will generate over £70 million of new investment in potentially the busiest gateway to West Bromwich, creating a new office market in West Bromwich kickstarting economic regeneration.  The design brief ensures that the site has strong links to the centre and all buildings will very much address the sustainability agenda, being built to the BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standard.  Stoford have embraced the agenda and have recently appointed Glen Howells Architects who are working on the masterplan and designs for 4-5 new buildings in a landscaped setting, we are very excited to see what they come up with.
 
“Similarly, we are making good progress on an incredible 513,000 sq ft retail and leisure site adjacent to All Saints, by Tesco Developments. This scheme will include a 97,000 sq ft department store, 217,000 sq ft of retail units and 41,000 sq ft of leisure facilities, in addition to a Tesco store, of 135,000 sq ft.  We are working with Tesco Developments and their architects, to make sure that the building design and materials are of the highest quality.  This will have a phenomenal impact on the dwindling retail offering in West Bromwich and will give a significant boost to the town’s economy.  It is fundamentally important that we get the design right, making sure the detailed plans for the site are well integrated with public realm to help transform West Bromwich into the dynamic place that it used to be.   A large percentage of the current population choose not to shop in West Bromwich and this mammoth site, teamed with good design, will help provide an environment with a range of uses, bringing a complete shopping experience to the area and create a place where people will want to spend time and money.
 
“High quality design is also clear in the proposed New Sandwell College, an extremely eye catching 250,000 sq ft building, with a dramatic roof. The new College will be built in Spon Lane next to the West Bromwich Central Metro stop.  As one of the first regeneration projects in the heart of the town centre it will provide Sandwell students with a fabulous and dynamic environment in which to study, providing the opportunity to gain invaluable new skills and expanding the skills pool for potential employers.  The £60 million scheme is a fantastic development for the area and the modern design will be extended to the public realm work. This will provide the future generations of West Bromwich with a second to none environment and will help to encourage better public services, spaces and buildings.
 
ENDS
 
For further information contact Lyanna Tsakiris, Willoughby PR
0121 456 3004
lyannat@willoughby-pr.co.uk
 
NOTES TO EDITOR:
 
About Regenco
 
Regenco is the Urban Regeneration Company for West Bromwich, Smethwick and Hill Top.
 
Working in partnership with Sandwell Borough Council, English Partnerships and Advantage West Midlands (the Regional Development Agency) it aims to attract new investment to West Bromwich by promoting opportunity and wealth creation for employers, residents, the community, and investors. 
 
Over the long term it aims to improve the physical landscape of the region for all, creating a modern environment for working, living and leisure.  It is aiming to attract over £1 billion of investment to West Bromwich and create over 20,000 jobs.