101 hackers. 485 post-it notes. 1 big question. 36 blockers. 12 solid fixes.
Circ_it at MIPIM 2026 brought together public and private sector leaders with youth voices from Regeneration Brainery and the MIPIM Challengers.
This is what happens when you mix experience, fresh thinking and honest conversation to focus on what it will actually take to deliver Good Growth.
Everyone draws it differently. Steps shift. Assumptions creep in. Systems emerge.
That’s the power of system mapping. It exposes the hidden complexity behind even the most familiar outcomes.
Scale that up. That’s how you start tackling a proper wicked problem.
From that thinking came 12 practical fixes for delivering good growth.
hackers
post-it notes
blockers
solid fixes
Think 10–20 years, not election to election.
Set a clear direction and stick to it. MDC’s will help here!
→ Ensures growth is planned, coordinated, and benefits places over time.
Align across politics to keep projects moving.
Growth needs consistency, not resets. Think Micro planning.
→ Protects delivery pipelines and builds long-term confidence.
Fund what matters, not what fits the pot.
Back social outcomes, not just economic return.
→ Aligns investment with what places actually need. Can social capital bridge viability gaps?
Design whole places, not just sites.
Think neighbourhoods, not red lines.
→ Creates complete, connected communities.
Strong local leadership sets the tone.
Confidence attracts investment.
→ Aligns partners and accelerates delivery. Be bold and believe!
Deliver something early.
Momentum builds belief.
→ Builds trust and unlocks further growth.
Targeted interventions unlock bigger change.
Start light, scale fast. Try an urban acupuncture approach.
→ Catalyses regeneration with minimal cost. But who pays?
Start with people, not plans.
Insight beats assumption.
→ Grounds growth in real needs. Circ_it your place!
No more tick-box engagement.
Bring communities along for the full ride.
→ Builds social licence and long-term support.
Open up the room.
The future needs different perspectives.
→ Leads to more inclusive, relevant outcomes.
Link skills to what’s actually getting built.
No pipeline, no delivery.
→ Ensures growth is deliverable and local. Follow circular economy principles.
The system needs new thinking.
Embed long-term, place-led figureheads.
→ Focus on Good Growth delivery.
The challenge now is turning that momentum into delivery. Let's make the 12 fixes a reality.
In the meantime, feel free to share, challenge, and build on the outputs - and if there’s a project or place where you’d like to apply this thinking, let’s set up a conversation.
Thanks again for bringing the energy and insight.
“Fascinating interactive session… on delivering Good Growth.”
— Sean Fielding“One of those sessions that actually made me think rather than just nod along.”
— Phil Cooper“Stimulating, important discussions… particularly in the context of MIPIM.”
— Jude Barber“A really engaging session… loved being part of the discussion.”
— Rebecca Hilton“Great event… enjoyed sprinting through Good Growth.”
— Marylis Ramos“A highlight… a different style of engaging event at MIPIM.”
— James SpencerThis is a collaborative workshop between Layer.studio x Studio Hoodless and will involve some of the UK’s most innovative and forward thinking change makers including; designers, developers, policy makers and community shapers.
The outcome will be a collaborative, experimental learning experience that will test, design, refine and publish a viable place-shaping methodology that can be applied across the UK’s urban centres.
The process will reveal those elusive moves that will deliver your regeneration project, captured and shared online to inform and support your plan making.
