Updates from The Crown Estate: Debbie Clark's Dispatches
The Crown Estate's Strategy to Enhance Inclusivity and Sustainability in Heritage Properties
A collaborative report, "Inclusive Spaces and Places: A Collaborative Approach to Inclusive Design," is unveiled by The Crown Estate, outlining its strategy to upgrade heritage assets for increased inclusivity and sustainability to maintain a strong investment return.
Photo credit: Grosvenor depicts a proposal to modernize Fivefields, a co-working space on Grosvenor Gardens in Central London, with considerations for inclusivity.
The genesis of the report stems from an enlightening and thought-provoking session by disability consultant and campaigner Sinead Burke. With the recognition that inclusivity encompasses much more than just disability, the report highlights the pivotal role of the built environment in fostering inclusivity for all.
Refined through workshops hosted in diverse settings, the report focuses on practical resources, clear recommendations, and open-source tools that property owners, including The Crown Estate, can apply to formulate an inclusive design approach early in the development and design process.
As guardians of some of the UK's most iconic spaces, The Crown Estate leads the charge in advancing inclusive design within its properties and the industry at large. The report encourages property owners to embed inclusivity at every stage of design and development, ensuring accessibility that optimization may otherwise miss.
The report outlines the financial benefits of embracing inclusive design, with customer experience, revenue, and the Purple Pound's estimated £300 billion annual spending power of households with at least one disabled person as indicators of its value.
From widening supermarket aisles to implementing adaptive technology, the report emphasizes the potential for inclusive design to harmonize heritage and accessibility, promoting innovation rather than viewing them as conflicts.
Despite the challenges of retrofitting heritage buildings, The Crown Estate is transforming Regent Street's public realm in collaboration with Westminster City Council and London stakeholders to make the West End more inclusive. This project exemplifies how inclusivity can pave the way for commercial success even within historically significant structures.
Recognizing the evolving landscape of social sustainability, The Crown Estate aims to integrate inclusive design as a crucial component of any retrofit project, allowing it to thrive in tandem with sustainability initiatives, ultimately creating spaces of lasting value for various users.
- By embracing inclusive design, property owners like The Crown Estate can foster relationships with a broader customer base, potentially tapping into the Purple Pound's estimated £300 billion annual spending power.
- The environment and real-estate industries converge in the approach of The Crown Estate, demonstrating that investing in sustainability and inclusivity can lead to a more robust business and finance returns.
- The strategic integration of inclusive design in retrofit projects, such as the Regent Street public realm transformation, showcases how environmentally sound practices can harmoniously coexist with accessibility, ensuring the creation of enduringly valuable spaces for diverse users.
