OUR MISSION

Our practice is rooted in lived experience. Our founder director, John P. Houghton, was born and grew up on the edges of Liverpool, in one of the poorest neighbourhoods in the country. 

John saw first-hand how urban regeneration done badly can damage people and places. The image you can see here is his childhood home.

He also saw how effective urban regeneration, delivered by people with love and hope for the place they can call home, can do enormous good when that passion is allied to insight, strategy, and investment.

THE mission shapes how
we do it

The regeneration programmes we develop and deliver are underpinned by six imperatives.

  • Action is needed to improve economic, social, and environmental conditions together. We can’t tackle everything at once; sequencing and prioritisation is necessary. But we need to look at the whole place, and not just one element.

  • Sustainable change needs sustained, long-term commitment. We deliver quick wins and achievements to sustain confidence, but lasting regeneration needs commitment over time.

  • Big, bold ideas are needed to inspire hope and galvanise action.

  • Places are full of great people, assets, and skills; these must be cherished.

  • Local communities must be at the heart of change.

  • Tackling complex problems and delivering bold ambitions demand the effort of all partners.