As Coventry’s development pipeline grows – its confidence also appears to be mushrooming.
The city constantly faces questions about its image and the way it broadcasts its achievements to the outside world.
But new Coventry City Council chief executive Martin Reeves is determined that will change and he has instigated a series of changes – both internal and external – which he believes will help the city’s reputation in the property world.
A major internal reorganisation of the council’s operation has seen the creation of a “super directorate” which controls planning, property, development, transportation and city street scene which is headed by Martin Yardley.
A new head of planning – Tracy Darke – has been appointed and the managerial operation of the department has been drastically revised.
But while internal efficiencies are vital, Reeves and Yardley are equally determined that the city looks outward as well as inward.
Its presence at MIPIM is a case-in point. Coventry has always had a strong presence at the show and in recent years has pioneered the idea representing the city through a partnership with private sector property professionals.
That pooling of resources has allowed the city to produce a bigger bang for the collective buck and while many cities have shied away from the show, Reeves is not prepared to bow to those disapproving sources.
“I view MIPIM as vital for Coventry for several reasons,” he said. “We have a very good story to tell in terms of what is currently happening here. Not only are we very much open for business and developments are coming out of the ground, but we have a pipeline of very exciting projects.
“Circumstances – in terms of the recession and where we are placed in the market – means there is a real window of opportunity for us if we are prepared to be radical.
“We have shown that we can help deliver some very big schemes and we want that message to get out there to as wide a market as possible.
“MIPIM helps do that in a number of ways. Not only are we marketing directly to the European and world property industry but the way we work with our partners says a great deal about the city’s approach.
“The fact that the partnership is still flourishing during what have been very testing times for the industry, says a great deal about its strength.”
The council has, in the same vein, organised an international design forum on “The Future of the Modern City” which will be held in Coventry early next month.
Speakers include Wayne Hemingway (Hemingway Design), Oliver Schulze (Gehl Architects), and Glenn Lyons, Professor of Transport and Society, University of the West of England, while Charlie Luxton, the face of architecture and design on Channel Five, will chair the event.
Yardley sees the event as another example of the city endeavoring to be at the forefront of the development debate.
“We are at a majorly important time for cities because there are so many changes happening or about to happen – such as climate change and recovery from recession – which will have a massive influence on development,” he said.
“The range of experts has been chosen so that we can hopefully give a fresh perspective on those pertinent issues involving the way cities shape themselves for the future – creating socially, environmentally and economically successful spaces and places that are well-planned, well-designed and well-managed.
“That is our aim in Coventry and we believe we have made initial but considerable steps inside the council to ensure we are moving along the path.
“Part of that is listening to the needs and concerns of the property industry and to ensure they get a consistency of response of service no matter who they are dealing with.
“I would like to think that is the case now but we know that the changes we have made are only part of an on-going improvement process that will be continuous.”
Coventry’s MIPIM partners are: Friargate Coventry, Complex Development Projects, D&P Holt, Jaguar, Martineau, Oakmoor Estates, Shortland Horne, Stoford Developments and Coventry City Council.
