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A new initiative has been launched to help bring positive stories about places to more readers. The ‘High Street Positives’ newsletter is authored by IPM Member, Laura Harris, and builds on her own personal work to counter negative narratives about high streets.

For people all over the UK, ‘change’ includes our towns and cities and what they have to offer local communities. Change means fixing broken local services. It means bringing hope and pride back to high streets.

In an era where local communities are increasingly looking for innovative strategies to foster economic growth and revitalise their towns, the mobilisation of diaspora communities has emerged as a compelling approach.

So, what do you do if your town centre has been passive for years, is beige, and has no body that is actively fighting for its future? Sandie Webb MIPM, writes.

Have we passed a tipping point where most place managers now welcome the prospect of increasing the opportunities for people to travel to town, other than by car? Chris Wade writes for IPM

This study shows how public art can make a real difference to the appearance, attractiveness and experience of the high street. The study shows that our communities desire projects like this in our places and are important in building trust between councils and residents.

Just as place management structures include a core cohort of representatives from local government, education, health, voluntary / social / community / faith organisations, business and anchor institutions and employers - so it should include creative thinking via local artists and creatives.

This case study, written by Jo Harvey shows how successful local community organisations can be in helping to diversify the high street and help tackle issues of sustainability in town centres.

Paul James MIPM, former Leader of Gloucester City Council, writes about his experiences of regeneration in the city and the lessons that other placemakers can learn.