Places Matter! has commissioned new research into the economic value of good design during the recession.

Findings reveal that good design can still add value and help schemes to ‘weather’ the effects of recession.

Research published by Places Matter! in 2007 argued that design could add up to 20% in rental and capital value and speed up the lettings and sales rate of a scheme. For 2009 Places Matter! is publishing a follow-up report revisiting these findings to explore how they have been affected by the current economic climate.

The original report, authored by AMION Consulting and Taylor Young, concluded that there was strong evidence that economic, social and environmental returns increase with better design. Equally, the costs of bad design can be very substantial in economic, social and environmental terms. As well as outlining definitions of good design and economic value, the report presented several case studies.

For the 2009 report, Taylor Young has revisited these case studies to establish how they are faring in the current economic downturn. AMION has also undertaken a survey of agents in commercial and residential property sectors across the Northwest, exploring views on the impact of good design and its current importance.

Full and summary versions of both the 2007 and 2009 reports are available to download. Please click on the relevant link below:

Economic Value of Good Design 2009 Summary Report

Economic Value of Good Design 2009 Full Report

Economic Value of Urban Design 2007 Summary Report

Economic Value of Urban Design 2007 Full Report