Quality of Life Symposium 2024: event write up

The 2024 Quality of Life Symposium, hosted at the transformative Mayfield development in Manchester, brought together a dynamic group of housing and community leaders to delve into a vital question: how can we go beyond housing by numbers, and ensure homes and neighbourhoods deliver for health and wellbeing?

The symposium’s headline sponsor was Muse, and the event was also supported by AtkinsRealis, Stantec and Civic Engineers. 

Opening remarks and introduction

Matthew Morgan, Director of the Quality of Life Foundation, set an inspiring tone for the symposium by outlining the Foundation’s ambitious five-year strategy. He emphasised the urgent need for affordable, energy-efficient homes and community-driven development as foundations for long-term wellbeing. With gratitude towards sponsors and partners, Matthew fostered an atmosphere of collaboration, inviting participants to engage deeply with the day’s discussions.

Laura Percy, Senior Development Director at Landsec U+I followed with an engaging overview of the £1.4 billion Mayfield regeneration project. This major initiative aims to breathe new life into brownfield land, transforming it into a vibrant, connected community. Laura underscored the critical importance of creating homes that positively influence both residents and their surrounding environment, setting the stage for the day’s discourse.

Panel discussion: Housing, health, and placemaking

The heart of the event was a lively fishbowl-style panel discussion, expertly moderated by John Alker, Head of Sustainability at Legal & General and a trustee of the Quality of Life Foundation. The panel featured a wealth of expertise from:

  • Sarah Greenwood, Assistant Director for Sustainability and Design, Homes England
  • Phil Marsden, Managing Director – North West, Muse
  • Deb Upadhyaya, Director, AtkinsRéalis
  • Susan Emmett, Social Value Director, Stantec
  • Katie Wray, Director, Deloitte
  • Paul Morris, Director, Civic Engineers
  • Shefali Kapoor, Director of Communities, Manchester City Council

Each panellist brought a unique perspective to the table, fostering a rich dialogue. Phil Marsden passionately highlighted the urgent need for more affordable homes, while Sarah Greenwood advocated for a cultural shift within the industry – one that moves us from building homes to building places. 

Shefali Kapoor reinforced the importance of fostering mixed communities and robust social infrastructure, crucial for cultivating inclusive, sustainable neighbourhoods. Susan Emmett called for measuring outcomes beyond mere housing numbers to ensure that developments have lasting, positive impacts on residents’ health. Meanwhile, Katie Wray spoke about the significance of honouring a place’s heritage, which can instil a sense of ownership and belonging among future residents.

Deb Upadhyaya connected the dots between place, partnership, and people, sharing a personal narrative that illustrated how successful developments require long-term vision and collaboration. Paul Morris added that high-quality public realm and supporting infrastructure are indispensable as we develop new homes and neighbourhoods.

Audience insights and additional contributions

The discussion expanded as audience members joined the fishbowl, enriching the dialogue. Kelly Watson, Director at Hatch, stressed the need for robust public investment and leadership in creating social value through housing. She highlighted the importance of data-driven approaches to track and measure the impact of developments on health and wellbeing.

Sam Hayes from Placed offered critical insights on the barriers to effective community participation. He pointed out that, despite understanding how to engage communities, the housing industry often struggles to implement meaningful practices. Sam argued for involving communities earlier in the strategic planning and master planning stages, empowering residents to shape the developments that will affect their lives.

All participants concurred that developments are more likely to succeed when local voices are included from the outset, ensuring that the places created reflect the needs and aspirations of their inhabitants. 

Final thoughts and action points

As the symposium drew to a close, Matthew Morgan summarised the key themes: collaboration, evidence-based planning, and long-term stewardship are essential for delivering homes and neighbourhoods that enhance health and wellbeing. He invited attendees to continue their engagement with the Quality of Life Foundation and its partners, driving future projects.

Key action points from the symposium included:

  • Collaborating with the Quality of Life Foundation on initiatives that enhance health and wellbeing through housing.
  • Exploring innovative ways to integrate community voices earlier in the development process, beginning at the master planning stage.
  • Investigating methods to quantify the social and environmental value created by developments, moving beyond just housing numbers.
  • Advocating for stronger public health considerations in planning policy and development.
  • Reviewing procurement and engagement processes to ensure they facilitate meaningful, long-term community involvement.

The symposium provided not only valuable insights but also some clear actions for professionals dedicated to fostering sustainable, healthy communities through innovative housing solutions. Together, the participants are poised to make a significant impact in the field, ensuring that housing development prioritises the health and wellbeing of all.