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news Reading steps into 2050
What should Reading 2050 look like? That was the question a two-day public engagement event in Reading town-centre aimed to determine through a campaign entitled ‘Step into Reading 2050’
On March 18 and 19, the ‘Step into Reading 2050’ bus was positioned outside the train station and on Broad Street in order to challenge commuters and shoppers alike, as to their ideas as the people who live, work and play in Reading. The bus, which was opened by Mayor of Reading Sarah Hacker, councillor Tony Page, Reading Buses CEO Martijn Gilbert and the Reading 2050 team, displayed visuals of how the town could look by 2050. On the floor, a vinyl depicting a visionary map encouraging visitors to literally ‘step into’ the future of Reading.
While in position the team sought to survey visitors asking them ‘What three things do you want to see the most in Reading 2050?’ and whether they believed a vision for the town was important to achieving this. 98% supported the need for a long-term vision for the town, highlighting the public’s hunger for this sort of initiative and the need for an ambitious yet aspirational plan that will help the town realise its opportunities.
Step into Reading 2050 is part of the Reading UK 2050 project led by Barton Willmore, Reading UK CIC and the University of Reading. To date, the project has consulted with a wide range of stakeholders including local businesses, charities, the public sector, academia and the local authority. As part of the Year of Culture, Reading UK 2050 wanted to tap into the experience of the local community.
Nigel Horton-Baker, executive director of Reading UK CIC, said: “The aim of the exhibition was to encourage the local community to ‘Step into Reading 2050’, immerse themselves in the future and think about where they, their children or grandchildren might live, work and play. We wanted to encourage them to share their views on what they like and where they see themselves in 35 years’ time. These views will be key to making Reading a smart and sustainable place to live and work in the future.” Planning partner Kim Cohen from Barton Wilmore said: “We are really excited that the Reading
UK 2050 project has moved forward and are incredibly grateful to everyone that has been involved so far and the contributions they have made. The project is really starting to gain momentum and interest and we are excited to present some ideas to the community.
“Reading is currently seeing a huge amount of change and investment, which is creating exciting opportunities for residents and workers alike. With all the changes the town is currently going through, it’s more important than ever that we don’t underestimate the towns potential, work cohesively and create an inspired vision which looks to the future.”
A number of highly-respected architects and designers already working in the area have produced sketches and plans for particular areas of Reading to inspire people and demonstrate how planning can create a bright future for our town. The visuals helped bring to
500 converge for sold-out TVPA 2016
More than 500 property agents, developers and professionals will gather at Ascot Racecourse this month for the annual Thames Valley Property Awards
Staged by The Business Magazine, and now the leading property event in the region’s calendar, TVPA on May 12 is a magnet for all the key ‘players’ in the commercial and residential property markets.
Renowned batsman, former England cricket captain and television commentator David Gower is master of ceremonies at the sold-out gala black-tie event. Money raised on the night will go to TVPA’s official charity, Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice.
The 2016 event includes a new category – for property regeneration – sponsored by NatWest.
The third annual TVPA is sponsored
A total of 12 categories are up for grabs – with property experts meeting in a mood of optimism, especially as Thames Valley office enquiries in Q1 2016 were at their highest ever level.
by Barton Willmore, Haslams, Hicks Baker, Jansons Property, Jelf, McKay Securities, Morgan Lovell, NatWest, Pegasus Group, Peter Brett Associates, Pitmans, Romans Group, SEGRO, and Vail Williams.
“Although there are signs of ‘cooling’ in Q2, the office market is looking healthy,” said The Business Magazine publisher David Murray. “There have been many success stories in the past 12 to 15 months – from SSE’s relocation to Reading town-centre, and Bayer and Thales moving to Green Park, to the town-centre regeneration now underway in Bracknell and Oxford.
From left: Martijn Gilbert (Reading Buses CEO), Lorraine Farrelly (UoR), Tim Dixon (UoR), Sarah Hacker (Reading Mayor), Nigel Horton Baker (Reading CIC), Cllr Tony Page
life how the town could transform to support the local economy, provide employment or find housing solutions. The key areas the visuals focus on are the Oxford Road, Station Hill, Abbey Quarter, rivers and parks, the IDR and a floating community.
For more information on the project visit the website.
Details:
www.reading2050.co.uk
AWARDS PROPERTY VALLEY
THAMES
“Housebuilding appears to be buoyant, although a lack of supply is driving house prices up, with a 12% increase in Reading property prices in the past year.”
Matthew Battle, of UK Property Forums, who chaired the judging panel, added: “The strength of the entries this year suggests that – despite the worries over the EU referendum – the property sector is doing well. As the economy grows, so does the amount of new speculative development in the region, and the occupier demand for quality grade A space.”
All the winners will appear on our website
www.businessmag.co.uk the day after the event, and full reports will be published in the June issue of The Business Magazine.
www.businessmag.co.uk THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – MAY 2016
2016
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