Bulwell Place Shaping
Creating a Bulwell we can all be proud of.
What is Place Shaping?
Place Shaping is an approach to area planning, development and management that focuses on what the community has, needs and wants. It makes the most out of what’s already there, improves on what could be better, and fixes problems where they happen.
It’s driven by the community, through listening to what the people say, looking at the space, and taking into account the workings of the town. It’s not just about designing a park or plaza with efficient paths. It’s taking into account the relationships between people, shops, cafes and activities, and then making the infrastructure work for and with them.
It’s all about the space serving the community, and being made by the community, for the community.
Our Aim
We at OVP want to use this holistic approach to improve Bulwell for Bulwell residents: turning Bulwell into a place we can all be proud of, by the community, for the community!
As with any other project or movement, our Place Shaping needs a vision to succeed: a vision built on the aspirations and needs of the community. OVP aims to pull people together and create this vision, bringing as many people and organisations together to make the Bulwell of the future
What makes Place Shaping good for Bulwell?
Nottingham City Council Regeneration Scheme
Nottingham City Council secured £20m to regenerate Bulwell Market and the Bogs.
OVP has been working with Nottingham City Council, Wilmot Dixon (the contractors), NTU and other groups to make the most out of this development, thinking of opportunities beyond the physical works, so all of Bulwell benefits.
And Remember…
Place Shaping is never “done”. Minor tweaks can be made to improve the space to serve the community better over time, and regular maintenance/upkeep of facilities and amenities is a fact of life.
A Place Shaping project does not happen overnight. Do not be discouraged if things do not go exactly as planned at first, or if progress seems slow.
And just because it hasn’t been done doesn’t mean it can’t be done. What it does mean is that there are few people, in either the private or public sectors, who have the job of creating places.

