International Hour Scotland: A Scottish Perspective on Place

In Collaboration with the Institute of Place Management.

Speakers: Leigh Sparks, University of Stirling, UK
Phil Prentice, Scotland’s Towns Partnership
Chair: Cathy Parker, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK

This session, in collaboration with the Institute of Place Management (IPM), sees both Prof Leigh Sparks and Phil Prentice, Senior Fellows of the IPM, discuss a Scottish perspective on place, in contrast to those in Westminster, Europe and beyond.

The session discusses a range of leading place policy and practice across government, business improvement districts, place partnerships and other stakeholders.

Scotland’s second Town Centre Action Plan is explored, a town centre first framework that has been implemented by the Scottish Government to deliver a vision for Scottish towns and a means to achieve it.

The session also uncovers Scotland’s Towns Partnership’s approach, which works with a wide range of partnerships, such as Businesses Improvement Districts, Community Improvement Districts, Whole-island Business Improvement Districts, and Tourism Business Improvement Districts. Food and Drink Business Improvement Districts and Digital Business Improvement Districts. These partnerships aim to promote collaborative corporate, community, and public partnership working. This talk will examine these methods and collaborations and will cover key themes such as net zero and community wealth amongst other issues.

There is also an examination of a holistic Placed-Based Investment approach, where the whole needs of a person, whether mental health, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual wellbeing are met. This discussion will examine what this means, and if it is visible anywhere. Finally, the discussion will examine the places and issues where Scotland does need a bigger push.