With the economic landscape continuing to change and evolve, many cities are being left with fewer options.
Due to this, they are utilising several unique solutions to help drive urban renewal. An example of one of these solutions is the repurposing of empty buildings across the UK and converting these into new projects that can once complete help stimulate the job market and strengthen local communities in the process.
These projects include residential properties for both individuals and families that require affordable housing to entire community complexes that can be used to host events such
as farmers’ markets or even used for retail units: the repurposing of these empty buildings brings with it a multitude of options for many public sectors.
In this blog post, we will explore how you can get involved in the process of revitalising empty buildings in your local community to help significantly improve economic development and find out which parts of the procurement process works best and why it matters to carry it out.
The problem of empty buildings in the UK
The number of empty buildings across the UK is an ongoing problem that city councils are left to deal with and are overlooked in most situations due to other socio-economic issues.
Not only are the sight of empty buildings an eyesore for both locals and tourists, but they also represent potential that is currently not being utilised. These buildings could be put to better use, providing much-needed space for businesses, community centres, or housing.
Despite the growing demand for both commercial and residential spaces, there is still an extremely high number of buildings that remain abandoned for years and some even decades. This significantly impacts most regional and local communities, the hike in the price of most properties in that area, and also increases crime rates.
The issue of empty buildings across the UK is something that needs to be tackled head-on and solutions such as procurement frameworks are just one of the solutions that can be actioned.
Exploring potential solutions for empty buildings
There are some potential solutions to improve the current state of many buildings that have been left empty. Many solutions besides procurement include finding a way to repurpose the space whether that is as a space for the community to come together or something more commercial such as an art gallery that can bring revenue to the area from tourists and locals.
Another solution would be to incentivise any potential developers who wish to invest in the property, this can be achieved by offering tax breaks or other financial incentives that may be available.
Through working together to find these alternative solutions, new life can be given to revitalise these empty buildings to bring development to the local community making them more vibrant in the process.
Examining the benefits of revitalising empty buildings
There are multiple benefits to reusing buildings that have been left empty for years that are beyond just filling the vacant space. The neighbourhood can thrive and new businesses but also residents can be attracted to the local and surrounding areas. This in effect helps to bring an overall sense of vibrancy and vitality to the community.
The renovation of an old building and bringing it to its former glory will improve and preserve the architectural heritage of the community. Moreover, the revitalisation of empty buildings is a much-needed sustainable solution as the repurposing of existing spaces means less construction of new buildings.
Revitalising empty buildings is a positive for everyone associated and will lead to a more thriving and dynamic community for both current and future generations.
Identifying support structures for economic and community development
Identifying a support structure for social and economic growth for the community is vital to ensure successful development and progress. With the right resources and networks in place, local communities and businesses can thrive and reach their full potential.
However, getting the right level of support can be complex and becomes very time-consuming as part of the process. This underlines why it is extremely important to completely understand the range of potential opportunities and services that are available when looking for significant support.
Whether it is gaining access to funding outlets, looking for a building partnership or even looking for an expert in the industry multiple support avenues can be accessed. These must be identified and maximised upon, as with these resources a thriving and prosperous future for communities can be created.
Setting up an action plan for revitalising empty buildings
An action plan for tackling the problem with the current abundance of empty and derelict buildings is something that needs to be carefully created. With the right action plan in place, these spaces can be transformed over time into vibrant and thriving places that will benefit the local community.
Setting up an action plan for revitalising empty buildings involves a range of steps, from
identifying the most suitable location to securing enough funding and working with local stakeholders to carry out the work.
Carrying out this work is most definitely a complex task, but the rewards outweigh the complexity, as new life is given into once neglected areas and new opportunities are created for businesses and residents alike. With careful planning and execution, these empty and forgotten spaces can be turned into something truly special.
Overall, the revitalisation of empty buildings is vital when looking to foster socio-economic and community development. By implementing an effective action plan, cities and towns across the UK can not only strengthen local businesses but also build a new sense of belonging within their community dynamic.
Investing capital to remediate existing structures brings benefits both economically and socially, ensuring that these places remain vital parts of the community rather than as diminishing assets.
By discussing these action plans with local civic leaders, whilst working with neighbourhood organisations, and forming public/private partnerships cities will have the tools needed to drive successful tenement revitalisation projects.
