Process
Nottingham City Council worked with CABE to redesign Old Market Square as a prestigious space worthy of a twenty-first century regional centre.
Securing funding and public support
The council approached CABE and agreed CABE enabling support for a design competition for the square. CABE appointed landscape architect Justine Leach to advise on the project and the design competition.
CABE helped prepare publicity and briefing material and to develop technical information for competition entrants. The enabler also helped with a public engagement programme that included opportunities for designers to consult directly with community stakeholders.
The Nottingham Evening Post supported the initiative, helping to build a public mandate for the project and turning it from a design aspiration into a realistic regeneration initiative.
CABE's involvement helped give the project credibility and brought in other funding opportunities. Approximately £7million was identified, including support from theEuropean Regional Development Fund, East Midlands Development Agency, Greater Nottingham Partnership and the Government Office for the East Midlands.
Running the design competition
A high-level judging panel was appointed by the council. It included Justine Leach and CABE regional representative Heather Emery, and was chaired by then CABE commissioner Les Sparks.
More than 60 designers from across Europe and North America submitted proposals for the square. Landscape architects Gustafson Porter were selected as winners in 2004.
Developing the design
The emerging proposals by Gustafson Porter were subjected to critique through CABE design review. This concluded that the scheme was proof of what can be achieved 'through a clear brief and well managed competition'.
Work began on site in August 2005 and the redeveloped square was opened to the public in April 2007. The square won a Design Excellence Award at the East Midlands Property Awards in September 2007 and three Civic Trust Awards in 2008.
