As the government moves forward with its plans for 12 new towns across England, and attempts to deliver the 1.5 million new homes promised within this parliament, the nation is faced with some challenging questions: What is required to successfully deliver a new community, and deliver new housing? And, while we know that it takes a village to raise a child, what does it take to raise a village?

At Arcadis, we have supported the creation and delivery of some of the UK’s most ambitious new communities – including Langarth Garden Village in Cornwall, Northstowe in Cambridgeshire and Otterpool Park in Kent. Our experience has taught us that successful placemaking goes far beyond building homes; it is about fostering resilient communities, creating a sense of place and delivering long-term value for all stakeholders.