Co-Design in Action: from Town Centres to Industrial Masterplans
In episode 011 of Talking Place, I had the joy of hosting a conversation with two brilliant friends and collaborators, Rumi Bose and Palak Jhunjhunwala, to explore co-design in action: what happens when we move beyond ‘consultation’ and truly co-create with communities.
We talked about how co-design is not just a methodology, but a mindset. Rumi described it beautifully as a process of “ opening a box” of a place, understanding who lives there, who works there, and how to work together in a way that feels authentic, inclusive, and honest.
Rumi’s Work on High Streets
Rumi shared her journey from working as a civic council officer in London to leading transformational projects across town centres, high streets and public spaces. One of her proudest projects was Peveril Gardens - a vibrant, arts-led community hub co-created with residents and local organisations. With time, trust, and a year-long process of deep listening, Peveril Gardens transformed from a disconnected site to a place of pride, joy and belonging.
“Co-design is about bringing people together, respecting their expertise, and giving them ownership over the outcomes,”
Rumi Bose
Palak’s Perspective from Beyond Design
Palak, who co-founded Beyond Design, explained how co-design is about “handing everyone a pen,” encouraging collective authorship, and balancing heritage with the future. We reflected on working together in India for the CEAT Chennai Masterplan - visiting the factory floor, meeting operators and engineers, and weaving their stories of skill, pride, and innovation into a new vision for a globally competitive, future-ready place brand.
The sense of emotional connection from that visit was unforgettable.
“Even in a manufacturing plant, there is a treasure trove of stories if you’re willing to look,”
Palak Jhunjhunwala
The Importance of Time and Trust
One thread that ran through our conversation was the critical role of time. Meaningful co-design takes time. Too often, budget constraints or tight deadlines turn engagement into a tick-box exercise, risking frustration and shallow outcomes.
Rumi made a powerful plea to industry leaders:
“We all know tick-box consultation doesn’t work. If you want authentic outcomes, you need to build in time and resources to do it properly.”
From Town Centres to Industrial Sites: Stories Matter
Whether we’re reimagining a London high street or a 200-acre manufacturing campus in India, the fundamentals of good placemaking are the same: listen deeply, respect local culture, build trust, and share authorship. Only then can we create places that truly resonate.
It was a privilege to unpack these ideas with two practitioners who share a belief that place identity is more than logos and straplines - it’s about celebrating people, culture, heritage, and aspiration.
Let’s Keep Telling These Stories
As practitioners, we need to keep making the case for storytelling, empathy, and co-design. Because places are not static. They are living, breathing canvases shaped by the dreams and experiences of everyone who interacts with them.
💬 Want to talk more about bringing co-design into your place strategy?
We’d love to hear from you — reach out at hello@conceptculture.co
🎧 Listen to the full episode now on Talking Place