Placemaking at L&Q – Building thriving communities

Man and woman talk at a colourful craft table while a child nearby works on an art project.

At L&Q, we believe a home is just the start.

For a community to thrive, people need strong connections, access to support, and reasons to feel proud of where they live.

That’s why we invest in placemaking – a long-term approach to helping neighbourhoods grow stronger, healthier and more connected.

 

How we do it

Across London and the North West of England, our Community Development Leads (CDLs) work directly in local areas.

They are part of the communities they serve, building relationships with residents, community groups and local organisations.

Our CDLs:

  • listen to what matters most to residents
  • turn local priorities into real projects and partnerships
  • support young people into training or work
  • improve access to digital services and skills
  • tackle food poverty and hardship
  • create safe, welcoming spaces for people to come together
  • Young girl focuses on colouring while another child works beside her at a craft table.

Our Place Standard

We use the Place Standard – a tool to measure how well a neighbourhood meets residents’ needs.

It looks at improving access to services, green spaces and community activities.

Using this insight, each CDL creates a Community Investment Plan for their area, shaped by residents’ feedback. 

 

Placemaking in action – Harrow View

Formerly the Kodak site, Harrow View in Wealdstone is a development of 650 homes, commercial spaces, and new school and health facilities.

We used our Place Standard to assess the development and most areas scored highly.

Where there was room for improvement, we provided better signage, careers projects with local schools and funding for youth services.

These initiatives helped us provide more than £6.5 million in social value, measured using HACT – a UK charity that helps housing providers track the difference their work makes.

 

Why it matters

Matt Corbett, Director of the L&Q Foundation, says:

“Effective placemaking underpins the work of L&Q’s Community Development Leads, who work across 11 core boroughs in London and Manchester.

"Community Development Leads use L&Q’s placemaking tools, including our Place Standard, to develop and invest in partnerships that address localised community priorities.

"These priorities have previously included activities to support health and wellbeing, projects to address food and digital poverty, and activities to engage young people and deliver employment outcomes.”

 

Placemaking isn’t just about buildings

It’s about creating communities where people feel they belong.

Through our CDLs, we aim to:

  • support local projects that bring people together
  • improve residents’ wellbeing
  • create opportunities for those who need them most

 

More placemaking stories

Over the coming months, we’ll share more CDL stories in our new digital campaign – showing how they’re supporting residents, strengthening partnerships, and helping neighbourhoods thrive.