ABSTRACT
The issue of empty units on the high street is not a new problem but is one that is making the headlines in the UK, due to increasing vacancy rates this year. This increase has been noticed by local residents and, as research shows, has a detrimental effect on a person’s social value. This research demonstrates the possibilities available to address the UK’s declining high streets while meeting the demand for improving a person’s well-being in subtle ways.
The key features adopted to complete this research were, to identify key literature relating to empty units, the high street, and social value measured as mental health, wellbeing, and emotional resilience. Quantitative and qualitative data was collected to understand opinion of place which was then evidenced through empirical research measures to ascertain the most effective approaches for intervention.
The research identified that there is a need for new and innovative methods of increasing well-being for residents, along with unique ways of developing high streets that are in decline; especially when thinking about using them in different ways from the historical model. The concept created in this research would help both these areas by bringing life back to the high street whilst meeting the needs of residents’ well-being.
LITERATURE METHODOLOGY
KNOWLEDGE FRAMEWORK
CASE STUDY REVIEW