Newcastle, Gateshead and Sunderland are redefining its riversides, city centres and towns with ambitious, inclusive regeneration.
Inclusive placemaking has the power to drive investment as well as boost civic pride – when people love the place they live, they become its biggest ambassador. Walkable, green and mixed-use environments create places where communities grow and thrive.
40 years ago, there was a desire and ambition to unlock the untapped potential of the Quayside – connecting Newcastle and Gateshead, it is now an urban regeneration project that has become globally renowned and iconic. Since then, Newcastle, Sunderland and the town of Gateshead are reviving town centres, high streets and city centres to create thriving destinations that local communities are proud of.
In Newcastle, Forth Yards represents the city’s last major riverside brownfield site, offering a unique opportunity to transform former industrial land into a vibrant, sustainable neighbourhood. Across the river, Gateshead is bringing the Baltic Quarter to life, creating a new neighbourhood with around 1,600 homes. Meanwhile, Sunderland is delivering one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration programmes, including a new Creative Development Zone. This initiative unlocks the next phase of the Riverside’s revival, providing spaces for artists and creative businesses alongside commercial and residential developments.
Together, these projects show how inclusive placemaking can transform former industrial landscapes into sustainable, connected, and culturally rich communities—building neighbourhoods truly designed for tomorrow.
How are towns and cities today shaping neighbourhoods that have their own identity and are adapting to the changing needs of our society?
This panel of civic leaders, developers and placemakers will delve into community-centric urban development, the latest trends and how they are tackling some of the key challenges in creating places people are proud of.
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