Our most popular frequently asked questions are shown below. Click on a question to view its answer, or if your question is not shown then ask us a question.

• Are there offices elsewhere in the region other than Liverpool?

  Places Matter! has one office based in Liverpool but works across the North West.

• How is Places Matter funded?

  Places Matter! receives funding from various public bodies and charges for certain services.

• What geographic area does Places Matter! cover?

  Places Matter! covers the Northwest i.e up to the Scottish borders above Carlisle, down to Crewe, across to the West Cumbrian Coast and back the other way to East Lancashire.

• How do I get Places Matter! input / Design Advice?

  To get Places Matter! input on a range of Design issues, please contact Charlotte Myhrum, the Design Review Manager on 0151 703 0135.

• What is the relationship between RIBA NW and Places Matter!?

  RIBA acts as the employer for the Places Matter! staff and the accountable body.

• Is Places Matter! involved in heritage areas as well as new development?

  Yes. Places Matter! deals with all aspects of the built environment in the North West including heritage, new development, streets, public space, green spaces, management, maintenance etc.

• How do I submit a scheme for review?

  In order to submit a scheme for Design Review, please complete the Pro-Forma which can be found at www.placesmatter.co.uk/design-review or contact Charlotte Myhrum, the Design Review Manager on 0151 703 0135 for an initial discussion.

• How do I attend a Design Review?

  In order to attend a Design Review as an observer, please e-mail Daniel Crellin, the Programme Officer on Daniel.Crellin@placesmatter.co.uk.

• Does Places Matter! give out grants, bursaries or other forms of funding?

  No. Places Matter! has an operating budget which enables it to deliver it's programme. We often work with partners on specific projects at which point we will share expenditure but we are not able to offer funding.

• I would like to train as an architect / planner / engineer / etc. How do I go about this?

  The bodies listed below all have resources to help people enter their professions. Contact them directly and they will be able to help you.

  Royal Institute of British Architects www.architecture.com
  Royal Town Planning Institute www.rtpi.org.uk
  Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors www.rics.org

• What is 'placemaking'?

  There is no single definition of the term 'placemaking' but Rob Cowan in The Dictonary of Urbanism (2005, Streetwise Press) defines it as: 'Creating somewhere with a distinct identity'