Agency and Action: Empowering Cities, Nature, and Future Leaders
"When you think of yourself as a citizen rather than a consumer, you start making decisions that matter to your community."
– Mark Cridge
This December, we take a deep dive into transformative ideas redefining how we build, lead, and live. In conversations with Mark Cridge of the National Park City Foundation and Vanessa Murray of The Circle Partnership, we uncover bold visions for inclusive, thriving cities and workplaces. This is about more than buildings and careers – it’s about empowering communities and individuals to shape the future.
The National Park City Vision: A Greener Blueprint for Cities
“Nature isn’t somewhere you visit – it’s where you live. Cities are habitats, too.” – Mark Cridge
Mark Cridge’s work challenges the core assumptions of urban living. With London designated the world’s first National Park City, his mission is to reframe how we see and shape cities. Far from being the antithesis of nature, cities like London are already brimming with biodiversity – and potential.
Did you know? London hosts over 15,000 non-human species, from peregrine falcons to urban foxes, and almost 50% of its footprint is green or blue space. Yet Mark sees a broader horizon:
Celebrate What Exists: Raise awareness of the ecology already within cities.
Transform the Rest: Bring life to the remaining 50% of grey spaces by fostering biodiversity and sustainable infrastructure.
Reconnect Communities: Engage people with their local environments to drive care and action.
His philosophy centres on empowering people to make change happen, from cleaning rivers to normalising urban food growing. Mark’s optimism is resolute, even in the face of climate challenges:
“When people believe in their power to act, change spreads like wildfire.”
Takeaway for you:
How can your projects balance ecological and urban needs? Mark’s message is clear: development plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between natural and built environments.
Breaking the Real Estate Ceiling: Vanessa Murray’s Playbook for Inclusion
“Confidence isn’t innate – it’s built. Sometimes, all it takes is someone saying, ‘You’ve got this.’” – Vanessa Murray
The real estate industry has a problem: it loses far too much talent, particularly women, in mid-career. Vanessa Murray’s Circle Academy addresses this head-on, offering mentorship and leadership development to ensure women stay in and succeed at the highest levels.
The Numbers:
Only 13% of senior leadership roles in real estate are held by women.
The majority of Gen Z jobseekers say they won’t join a company without a clear commitment to inclusivity.
Vanessa’s flagship programme pairs mid-level professionals with senior mentors, delivering tailored training on confidence, public speaking, and career navigation. But more importantly, it creates a space for honesty and self-reflection.
Key Insights from Vanessa’s Work:
The Confidence Gap: Women often wait until they tick every box before applying for roles, while men tend to act sooner. Vanessa reframes this: "What you see as a gap is often an opportunity to grow."
Cultural Shifts: Inclusivity must be built into organisational DNA, not treated as an afterthought. Leaders must model these behaviours, fostering environments where underrepresented voices are heard.
The Power of Networks: Mentorship isn’t a one-way street. Senior leaders benefit from understanding the challenges facing rising talent, creating a virtuous cycle of learning and inclusion.
For Employers: Diversity isn’t just morally right – it’s a competitive advantage. Studies show that diverse teams make better decisions and drive higher profitability.
The message is clear: inclusivity isn’t optional; it’s essential.
Where Insight Meets Action
Both Mark and Vanessa underscore one powerful truth: change happens when people feel they have a stake in the future – whether in their cities or careers.
For Developers and Urban Thinkers:
How are you empowering communities to shape their local environments?
What systemic changes can you make to embed sustainability and resilience in your work?
For Leaders and Employers:
Are you doing enough to retain and develop diverse talent?
How can you model inclusivity and equity in day-to-day operations?
Looking Ahead to 2025
The Grow Places vision is one where every place and person thrives – whether it’s urban biodiversity or the next generation of leaders in our industry. As we approach 2025, let’s commit to purposeful change:
Support National Park City’s vision: Visit their community portal to get involved.
Join The Circle Partnership’s mentoring revolution: Empower your team by integrating their inclusive leadership principles.
The future won’t wait. Let’s rewrite the story of our cities and workplaces, one bold step at a time.
Happy Holidays,
The Grow Places Team