Activate Assets | Shape Places | Build Long-Term Value

THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF IDEAS

The Neighbourhood of Ideas (NoI) is an innovation-led place-shaping framework developed by coLARGE to help developers, local authorities, and institutional asset owners unlock the full potential of places.

NoI supports the activation of underutilised assets, informs regeneration and mixed-use developments, and helps shape future places through structured engagement with academia, business, and local communities. The result is clearer place identity, reduced vacancy risk, and stronger long-term performance.

❋ What is NoI?

The Neighbourhood of Ideas (NoI) is a structured place-shaping framework that helps developers and public partners identify, test, and activate innovation-led uses within real places.

Rather than starting with a fixed masterplan or single-use assumption, NoI uses targeted engagement and ecosystem mapping to reveal how a place can support:

Enterprise and skills
Research and innovation activity
Local economic growth
Long-term occupancy and resilience

❋ Where does NoI Work?

The NoI framework can be applied to:

Underutilised or vacant buildings
Regeneration and mixed-use schemes
New developments at early briefing stage
Meanwhile and transitional uses
Public or institutionally owned assets

Each application is bespoke, responding to the specific context, market conditions, and strategic objectives of the site, based on the NoI Framework, its systems and process.

Our NoI framework turns assets into vibrant places that drive long-term occupancy, strengthen profitability, and deliver measurable social value. We align people, place, and purpose to create ground up impact that supports innovation, growth and the creation of unique places.

❋ How does NoI Work?

The NoI framework brings together Academia, Business, and Community (ABC) alongside local government to inform innovation activation and place shaping strategy.

The process typically includes:

Place & Asset Assessment
Understanding the site, its context, constraints, and opportunity
Ecosystem Mapping
Identifying relevant academic, business, civic, and community partners
Activation Scenarios
Developing tested “what-if” concepts for innovation-led use and activity
Strategic Insight & Pathways
Clear recommendations for activation, delivery models, and next steps

The outcome is a practical, evidence-based brief that supports design, planning, activation, and investment decisions.

❋ Why use the NoI Framework?

Use the Neighbourhood of Ideas Framework to:

Unlock Asset Value
Activate underperforming space and strengthen long-term demand through diversified use
Reduce Vacancy & Leasing Risk
Build pipelines of future occupiers and partners before capital is committed
Strengthen ESG & Planning Outcomes
Deliver measurable social value aligned with Section 106 and local policy
Differentiate Schemes
Create places with clear purpose, identity, and local relevance

The NoI is a strategic activation process that informs and supports long-term asset performance through innovation centred around people, place and purpose.

INSIGHT

The Neighbourhood of Ideas (NoI) is an innovation-led place-shaping framework developed by coLARGE to help developers, local authorities, and institutional asset owners unlock the full potential of places.

THE NOI ADVANTAGE

INNOVATION

IDENTITY

INVESTED

Explore the Neighbourhood of Ideas

Maybe you’re looking to activate an underutilised asset. Maybe you’re planning a regeneration or new development and want clearer insight to help define how you can grow to support local and existing business, communities and ecosystems.