Partner sought for public realm innovation initiative

20.03.25 LONDON, Connected Places Catapult, the UK’s innovation accelerator for transport, the built environment, cities, and local growth, announced today that it is inviting expressions of interest from property developers and other interested parties for a new initiative aiming to support innovation in public realm.

High-quality public spaces have the potential to support economic growth, wellbeing and climate resilience. They attract investment, increase property values and deliver social benefits. However, more work is needed to unlock the full potential of public realm schemes; understand what interventions are most effective; and support the development of new solutions.  

Preliminary research conducted by the Catapult identified three key challenges faced by public realm schemes: 

• An insufficient evidence base to understand social and environmental outcomes, and inform investment decisions  

• Fragmented policies leading to delays and inconsistent outcomes across the country 

• A lack of meaningful community engagement that allows real influence and builds trust with communities 

Ultimately, these challenges contribute to uncertainty around investments and represent a significant barrier to the delivery of high-impact public realm schemes. The research revealed that these barriers extend beyond technology. However, technology remains a critical enabler. Digital tools can enhance engagement, data platforms can support evidence-based design, and collaborative technologies can strengthen partnerships. 

The Catapult wants to establish a built environment ‘test and learn intervention’ that supports innovators with new ideas that could address these challenges and unlock the value of public spaces. From using data-driven tools to inform investment decisions, to leveraging digital platforms to enhance community engagement; and from developing adaptive infrastructure that responds to changing urban needs, to trialing greening strategies that make policy ambitions such as biodiversity net gain and climate resilience practical and deliverable. 

The team at the Catapult envisions that the specific test and learn intervention will be co-designed with the partner or partners identified. It could take the form of a testbed site where innovators are given the opportunity to develop and trial new solutions, supported by academics and technologists. The Catapult already operates successful test beds such as the Station Innovation Zone with Network Rail at Bristol Temple Meads and the Connected Airport Living Lab with AGS Airports at Glasgow Airport. The intervention could also feature a dedicated programme of business support and funding, building on the successes of the Catapult’s Advanced Construction Accelerator – which focused on supporting the development of new construction technologies - and the Homes for Healthy Ageing programme, which helped Sunderland Council re-think the way they approach problem framing.  

The intention for the first year of the programme is to focus on the three challenges identified through the lens of health and wellbeing – which was found by researchers to be a key topic area for stakeholders in the built environment. Key lines of investigation could include: 

• How might we use evidence-based approaches to design, evaluate, and improve public spaces for measurable and investable health and wellbeing outcomes? 

• How might we foster collaboration among local stakeholders to balance competing priorities, fund, and co-create high-quality public spaces that deliver health and wellbeing benefits? 

• How might we create inclusive community engagement strategies that empower diverse voices, build trust in development, and ensure the sustainable maintenance of public spaces that support health and wellbeing? 

The Catapult is planning to make Innovate UK grant funding available to innovators as part of this initiative over the next twelve months and will be seeking an element of match funding from the partner(s) selected.

Expressions of interest are open until Wednesday 30 April 2025 and can be made via the Connected Places Catapult website.

“We are looking for an ambitious partner who values innovation and is eager to position their location as the centrepiece of a groundbreaking initiative to test and refine new ideas for better public spaces.

“Our ultimate ambition is to transform how public spaces are planned, funded and delivered - unlocking social, environmental and economic value at scale. By driving innovation, collaboration, and evidence-based decision-making, we aim to create resilient, inclusive and high-impact spaces that benefit both communities and economies.”

Alan Welby, Managing Director for the Built Environment and Local Growth at Connected Places Catapult