I’m speaking at Housing 2020 on the West Midlands Design Charter – the first of its kind nationally to promote, inspire and encourage creative industries, great design and quality placemaking across our region. WMCA recognises the social importance of good design and we’ve committed senior leadership to this agenda. By encouraging creativity, innovation and engagement to flourish, we plan to build a future that delivers inclusive growth for all our communities.

WMCA’s 18 local authorities, 3 LEPs, the Design Council, Landscape Institute, RTPI, Homes England and our housing delivery partners, all contributed expertise to develop the West Midlands Design Charter. How can this act as a blueprint for the housing sector to secure and accelerate planning permission for well-designed projects?

At Housing 2020, I will explore the collaborative journey we embarked on with our local authority partners to develop 12 core principles, grouped into 6 main themes, that will have a real impact on the development of the region. The 6 themes of: character; connectivity & mobility; future-readiness; health & well-being; engagement & stewardship and delivery are at the heart of our approach to developing the West Midlands. I will share how we are helping to combat global warming by promoting low carbon, energy efficient and climate resilient design. I’ll also share our environmental work on net zero carbon by 2041.

Housing 2020 is the sector’s largest meeting place and a critical opportunity to learn, collaborate and accelerate progress. It is vital that we share ideas on how to drive good design, creativity and quality placemaking and in turn improve the built and natural environment for the communities we serve. I look forward to seeing you there!

Louise Wyman will be speaking at 14:15-14:45 on 3 September as part of Housing 2020’s Future of Living programme. Developed in partnership with Homes England, this new stream will explore how to design and deliver aspirational homes and places fit for the 21st century. Register your place here.