In this thought piece, the intention is to change the ‘gaze’, adopting what Deleuze terms ‘left, looking for the horizon as a point of reference. Under this perspective, the city centre is part of an interdependent totality. It is not just a distinctive urban space but part of ‘planetary urbanisation’ (2022).

“The old place hasn’t changed much”. This can be said for the built environment generally. We are really only now stepping up to the sustainability mark. Retro-fitting sustainability into older buildings is an eye-watering prospect. In this thought piece, Chris Dobson muses on a more sustainable city centre (2019). Image (C) Co-curate

But what happens when those encouraged to have rights to the city centre as part of the planned regeneration of the area are short term citizens, and where they have limited local knowledge? How can they be mobilised to participate in city centre/downtown renewal and future planning? In this thought piece we ask: So whose has the right to city centre? Or in other words, whose city centre? (2021).

High street department stores may have much loved physical presence on the high street, but their past glamour is insufficient to ensure that they form key parts of the future of the city centre. This thought piece considers how online and offline can co-exist (2020). 

This thought piece offers a review of the key arguments emerging from the chapters in this book - and in turn help to set the agenda. 

Add to this page by submitting a thought piece of relevance to the future of the city centre. Any topic. Any city.