Placemaking, community consultation and participation - Heritage Network

This session explores how meaningful placemaking and community consultation can strengthen heritage-led regeneration and ensure that cultural and capital projects deliver long-term, inclusive benefits. As councils and community organisations work to revitalise historic places, engaging diverse communities and building local ownership is critical to long- term success.

An expert panel will share practical approaches to consultation, co-design, and participation. Case studies will demonstrate how councils and community organisations have successfully involved local voices in shaping projects, from early visioning through to delivery, leading to more resilient, relevant, and celebrated outcomes.

Designed for councils and organisations working in regeneration, planning, culture, community development, and engagement, this session will offer insight into how to build trust, reach underrepresented groups, and embed social value into place-based projects. It will also consider how cultural activity can act as a gateway to participation, bringing communities into the heart of regeneration processes.