A roundtable event held in the House of Commons examined the findings of the recently published ‘Power in Place’ series, which argue for a local place-based approach to tackling inequalities and retrofitting initiatives
‘Power in Place’ was the subject of a roundtable event held at the House of Commons and hosted by the University of Manchester, attended by both MPs and planning experts.
As proposed in the collection of nine articles, a place-based approach recognises that local issues may not be best served by national policy and strategies, advocating for a more tailored method to best fit each community and its challenges.
Local knowledge and evidence could be key to reducing inequalities whilst boosting growth, productivity and energy efficiency efforts across the UK.
Bringing together Levelling Up and sustainability efforts
Organised by the University’s policy engagement unit, Policy@Manchester, the event brought together parliamentarians, academics, business leaders, economists, think tanks, charities and others to discuss place-based issues related to health, education, sustainability and economic disparities.
Several of the speakers at the roundtable also contributed to the 44-page document, which was published just days before the death of former Head of the Civil Service, Lord Kerslake, who wrote the foreword.
They included Dr Jamie Anderson, Research Fellow in Geography at The University of Manchester, who said:
“We need legal binding accountability in all stages of policy for the places we are building and urgently retrofitting. In order to be resilient to climate change and simultaneously level up on wellbeing outcomes, policy and practice must move beyond valiant target-setting.
“We must now also require science-based estimates of proposal impact at the outset, then monitor progress objectively and collaboratively, requiring effective action when progress is off course.”
There is no one-size fits all solution to resolving inequalities
Aberconwy MP Robin Millar, who chaired the event, said:
“We all recognise there are some huge socioeconomic challenges, and I am convinced a place-based lens brings an important, relevant perspective.
“As an MP in North Wales I recognise the huge difference between our coastal communities and the rural hinterland – and the importance of local and distinctive approaches for each.
“Unlocking this needs politicians who seek to listen, enable and empower rather than just hold onto old ideas and structures.”
Dr Carl Emery and Louisa Dawes, from the Manchester Institute of Education based at the University, also participated in the roundtable. They commented: “No matter where interest lies, it is clear that a standardised and one size fits all approach to alleviating poverty is not working.
“From an education perspective, an understanding of the local area, be it asset based in terms of business and facilities, or cultural and social, is key for schools to help shape students’ experiences and attitudes as well as building skills and expertise in their own communities, for their own communities.”
You can read and download ‘Power in Place’ in full here.
