Stantec and University of Reading (UoR) win research funding to develop Better Places Toolkit

Stantec and the University of Reading (UoR) have been successful in a research bid to secure Knowledge Transfer Partnership funding to conduct a two-year research project with real potential to change the way decisions are made about strategic land development.

The research aims to quantify social value outcomes, leading to the creation of a Better Places Toolkit which will support the planning and delivery of strategic land development to deliver better places and community outcomes. The project, which received ‘outstanding’ marks at the review stage is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, the Arts and Humanities Research Council and Innovate UK

Social value is playing an increasingly important role in how we approach land development, but there is a lack of guidance for the development industry on how social value should be defined and how it can be used to inform decision making and investment. Working with social value expert Professor Flora Samuel, Professor of Architecture in the Built Environment, and Professor Lorraine Farrelly at UoR’s School of Architecture, Stantec identified the need for further investigation and put together a successful bid for funding.

Keith Mitchell, Regional Director (UK) Community Development and Infrastructure, Stantec, commented:” We’re thrilled to have secured this funding; being able to quantify social value for our clients will help us create communities that really work for the people who live there. This research will identify what communities truly value, whether that is better access to nature, improved transport links, increased economic prospects, or access to GP surgeries or playgrounds, and enable these factors to be taken into account in planning and decision making.”

‘Social value is rocketing up the policy agenda in the UK and beyond,’ observed Flora Samuel, who is a regular columnist on social value for Building Design, former RIBA Vice President for Research, and leading author of the Social Value Toolkit for Architecture to be published shortly by the RIBA. “Our plan is to work with Stantec to produce a tool that will enable decision makers to quantify and evidence social impacts meaning they can be taken into account in bids and decision making. This is a very exciting opportunity which is already generating substantial interest from the industry.’

A Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) has been established to conduct the research project. While KTPs are an established approach to improve productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills, it will be a new approach for both Stantec and the UoR’s School of Architecture.

“The UoR School of Architecture is committed to engage our students with factors that influence the design of better public spaces and places,” said Lorraine Farrelly, Head of Architecture. “We have built this into the curriculum experience as part of their professional development and community awareness. This partnership will build on the expertise at Stantec and our academic experts at the University to develop a shared platform of knowledge and a better understanding of our regional community.”

“We’re excited to embark on this project with the UoR and to have the support of several of our clients,” said Keith. “Using a KTP will allow all parties to work together and permit the scope of the research to evolve. We will truly be able to understand how much our actions as designers, planners, engineers, scientists and consultants, have led to beneficial economic, social and environmental change; which ultimately creates ‘inclusive growth’ and social value.”

Once complete, the findings from the study, will be used to create a Better Places Toolkit that will be delivered to clients to enable more informed decision-making around strategic land developments.

About Stantec
Communities are fundamental. Whether around the corner or across the globe, they provide a foundation, a sense of place and of belonging. That's why at Stantec, we always design with community in mind.

We care about the communities we serve—because they're our communities too. This allows us to assess what's needed and connect our expertise, to appreciate nuances and envision what's never been considered, to bring together diverse perspectives so we can collaborate toward a shared success.

We're designers, engineers, scientists, and project managers, innovating together at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships. Balancing these priorities results in projects that advance the quality of life in communities across the globe.

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