Create a community? Or embrace one? - September Newsletter
Sat 16 Sep 2017It’s easy when working on regeneration projects to talk of ‘newness’. Often with complex issues, a slate-wiping approach can feel neat and somewhat cathartic to some areas that have negative perceptions and baggage. Yet, we feel it’s a fundamentally misguided approach.
At HUB, we know the truth is there’s good in every community and locality. It can sometimes seem hard to find. It can sometimes be overshadowed by bad press and media hype. But the good is simple enough to discover: you just need to invite it in. Reach out, listen, be open, be unintimidating, sincere and show you care and want to help. All these basic human ways to communicate and connect you with the people who are a positive, engaged part of where they live. Together, with their roots and the energy of investment, a better community can be forged. One that’s far more likely to succeed and thrive into the future, as compared to a ‘reboot’ approach. Rebooting denies heritage and can, at worse, lead to a ‘them and us’ feeling between before and after.
Embracing the community at Croydon has been, and will continue to be, crucial to the successful delivery of the 514 homes we want to create there. Thinking positively about the popular Queen’s Gardens and gaining the vital input from across the spectrum of locals and people has undoubtedly been key to us being welcome as part of the future of Croydon