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:

  1. Place & Asset Assessment
    Understanding the site, its context, constraints, and opportunity

  2. Ecosystem Mapping
    Identifying relevant academic, business, civic, and community partners

  3. Activation Scenarios
    Developing tested “what-if” concepts for innovation-led use and activity

  4. 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 NoI framework provides developers and local partners with grounded local insight, helping shape places around real community needs, enterprise opportunities and future economic growth.


THE NOI ADVANTAGE

INNOVATION

By connecting academia, business and communities, NoI fosters shared innovation that supports new enterprise, skills development and locally relevant economic activity.

IDENTITY

NoI helps create places with a clear and authentic identity, one that is shaped by local knowledge, culture and opportunity and existing ecosystems.

INVESTED

Through early engagement and co-creation, NoI supports local participation and engagement, working to create places where people feel connected to, involved with and invested in over time.

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.