Skip to main content

Lessons from the Lexicon: understanding success

Lexicon1

New research provides a toolkit of ideas for developers and civic leaders, looking at the valuable behaviours and management ideas for those leading a large-scale development project.

Called ‘The Lexicon – Understanding success in major town centre regeneration’, the report shows Bracknell’s redevelopment tackled a town centre that was characterised by an unfashionable, modern ‘New Town’ architectural style with a deteriorating physical fabric; by shops that were unfit for purpose, and a firm view of the local community that the town centre needed to be transformed into a new social and cultural heart for the borough.

The research offers expert advice to those looking to embark on town centre regeneration, including those in former New Towns.

Dr Emma Street, Associate Professor of Urban Policy and Governance at Henley Business School said:

“While New Towns face many regeneration challenges, they also offer opportunities to create places that serve communities, ensuring the values at the heart of the original New Towns programme endure for decades to come.

Town centre regeneration is currently at a crossroads. Our research sheds light on the challenges those looking to deliver regeneration face, but also the opportunities that exist to create town centres fit for the future.”

Victor Nicholls, Lecturer in Development and Planning at Henley Business School said:

“We’ve been fortunate in being able to learn valuable lessons from such a wide range of participants and stakeholders involved in delivering and operating one of the UK’s largest and most complex town centre regeneration schemes in recent years.

Perhaps one of the most useful points to emerge from our research was the importance of reviewing the myriad aspects of complex regeneration projects, from the perspective of professionals engaged in the scheme”.

Victor Nicholls

Lecturer in Development and Planning

Emma Street

Associate Professor of Urban Policy and Governance
Published 19 July 2022
Topics:
Henley news Research news

You might also like

Henley Africa Research Centre: Advancing meaningful change regionally and globally

25 March 2025
Established to elevate African thought leadership and perspectives through transformative research, impactful teaching and purposeful partnerships
Henley news

Henley joins celebration of Lloyds Banking Group apprentices

7 March 2023
Marking a significant milestone, Henley joined 55 of its Lloyds Banking Group apprentices for a celebration event at the financial institution’s prestigious headquarters in Central London.
Henley news

Henley awarded Small Business Charter

20 January 2022
The award recognises Henley’s role in supporting small businesses, local economies and student entrepreneurship
Henley news