Economics Meets Experience: Designing Places for People, Growth, and Meaning
“A plan is something you deliver. Planning is what we do most of the time. The first thing that happens to a plan? Reality gets in the way.”
– Bridget Rosewell CBE
“We like to tell stories about real people—how they move, how they feel, how they belong. That’s what makes a place real.” – Nicholas Worley
As we move deeper into 2025, the built environment faces an urgent challenge: how do we create places that truly serve people, not just policies and profit margins? This month, economist Bridget Rosewell CBE and architect-photographer Nicholas Worley highlight two fundamental truths:
Places must be built with flexibility—economic models and planning systems must adapt to modern life.
Authenticity matters—how we communicate and experience places must move beyond artificial, aspirational narratives.
Their insights remind us that economics and experience must align if we are to create thriving, resilient places.
Rethinking Economics for a Changing World
“We act like we know what the world will look like in 30 years. We don’t.”
– Bridget Rosewell
Bridget challenges the rigid planning and financial models that fail to reflect the realities of modern life. She warns that without adaptive strategies, we risk building places that become obsolete before they even thrive.
Key Economic Shifts We Must Embrace:
Planning Needs to Be Flexible: Instead of locking developments into outdated frameworks, planning permissions should evolve alongside societal and market changes.
Housing & Infrastructure Must Go Hand in Hand: Walkability, digital connectivity, and sustainable energy are as vital as bricks and mortar.
New Funding Models Are Essential: The current land and finance systems make viable development nearly impossible—innovative solutions are needed to bridge the gap.
Beyond the Gloss: The Power of Authentic Storytelling
“We spend so much time designing places, but how do we show them honestly—how they’re used, how they feel?” – Nicholas Worley
Nicholas Worley calls for a shift in how we communicate the built environment, urging architects and developers to move beyond glossy, unrealistic marketing images.
The Future of Place Storytelling:
People Make Places: The most compelling stories aren’t about buildings, but the people who live, work, and interact within them.
Trust Comes From Transparency: Overly polished imagery often misrepresents reality—developers must embrace honest, human-centred storytelling.
Film Over Still Photography: Motion, sound, and real-world interaction capture the true energy of a place better than static architectural shots.
Key Takeaways for 2025
Build for Change: Cities must be adaptable, with planning models that evolve over time.
Invest in Infrastructure First: Viable communities need more than just homes—they need services, connectivity, and walkability.
Tell the Truth About Places: The industry must move beyond artificial place marketing and show how spaces are truly used.
Balance Economic Growth with Experience: Cities should be financially viable, but their real success is measured by the people who thrive in them.
“The best cities are alive. They surprise us, adapt to us, and reflect the stories of the people who inhabit them.” – Nicholas Worley
“Growth is essential, but only if it serves people—not just markets and models.” – Bridget RosewellAs we continue through 2025, let’s commit to building places that are not just resilient, but meaningful. Places that reflect the way people actually live, work, and grow.
Let’s grow places—together.