Campaigner cites importance of placemaking and levelling up in early years

David Barton wants to see Placemaking and Traditional Architecture taught in school.

Written by David Barton

A prominent campaigner for the heritage of Sefton is recommending that Central Government introduce classes in Placemaking and the benefits of levelling up, especially Traditional Architecture starting from early years through the course of School.

Levelling Up (LU) is a core principle and defining aspect of Central Government designed specifically to improve commerce and enterprise across all four compass points of the UK. The concept focuses upon granting people based in areas formerly prosperous in centuries gone by to regain their economic impetus in the Digital Age bringing newfound and renewed opportunities alike for all age ranges.

The primary purpose of the Policy is to bring mass-scale improvement to each of the devolved nations of the UK that have been historically proven to be key economic drivers for the entire country. There is a particular emphasis on areas requiring a heightened level of support to unleash their full economic potential thereby benefiting the corresponding regions and their associated conurbations.

Pride in Place or Placemaking is one of the main missions specified as integrating the strengths of a local area with its civic past for the modern day. This theme considers breaking down social divides and balancing economic distribution so that whole areas can become more prosperous and fiscally independent as seen in previous generations where a particular trade or industry was a major part of the area’s success.

David Barton, former Councillor for the Dukes Ward covering the Town Centre and West Birkdale, has and continues to champion high-quality Placemaking and the merits to supporting all parts of society ever since 2014. He affirms that educating people from infancy can instil good habits and better develop career focused skill sets reflecting their own interests and strengths.

The community campaigner, whose ultimate focus has been and remains the restoration of Sefton believes that Levelling Up poses a great opportunity for many communities and the wider Traditional Architecture cause. He maintains that there are many commercial, community and climatic grounds with which to support Pride in Place, and that Traditional Architecture’s role in preserving the environment is still greatly disregarded or misunderstood by the majority of adults involved in construction.

Mr. Barton says: “As identified by leading community figures, such as Anna Soubry QC on a February Edition of Sky News, in order for Levelling Up to truly work it must integrate its benefits for people, especially the younger demographic. This will enable a true lasting impact long after 2030 and bring better productivity for communities of all backgrounds and creeds.”

He says: “Many still either flagrantly neglect or don’t appreciate the fact that there are joint strong economic and environmental reasons as to why Traditional Vernacular Architecture matched to each particular area is so key for the UK.”

“Be it a mixture of formal and informal classes whereby younger people are made accustomed to the merits of Placemaking and aesthetically appealing construction, people will have more choice as to shaping their futures more effectively and resourcefully when armed with this important information.”

Get all the latest news, updates, things to do and more from Southport, Merseyside's dedicated InYourArea feed.