TOP UK designer Wayne Hemingway has urged Nottingham’s architects to “do something fantastic” when planning the city’s future regeneration.

The fashion and design entrepreneur was keynote speaker at the launch of the Design 09 campaign, which seeks to improve Nottingham’s derelict eyesores and unused spots.

Speaking at the campaign’s launch at the University of Nottingham’s Innovation Park on the Jubilee Campus, Mr Hemingway said: “What is being launched is absolutely vital to make developers look and say ‘hang on, we’ve got to start rethinking’”. He concluded: “You have got the opportunity here to do something fantastic. The building blocks are here.”

Ken Shuttleworth also spoke at the event reviewed the Design Nottingham initiative as an exemplar scheme in the way it gets public and private sector collaboratively working together.

“As a CABE Commissioner operating in the East Midlands and an architect with active projects in the region, it is a real pleasure to be working in a city where design is top of the agenda. Nottingham is going from strength to strength and it is a delight to be part of it. The Nottingham Design 09 guide is a unique tool for all those involved in the sustainable development of the city and sets a wonderful example to others. CABE welcome the bold initiative that this document represents.”.
Ken Shuttleworth, Make

The event coincided with the official launch of the city council’s first City Centre Urban Design Guide.

Both will help in Nottingham’s bid to be World Design Capital in 2012.

To receive a copy of the urban design guide or to find out more visit www.design-nottingham.org.