HTA Communications & Engagement is the community engagement, consultation and communications team at HTA Design, a UK architecture practice specialising in housing and regeneration for more than 50 years. We design engagement that is inclusive, iterative and evidence led, so that design outcomes genuinely reflect what communities tell us.
1. Tailored to each place Every programme is shaped around the local context, community and planning objectives. Our work ranges from small co-design sessions to large scale participatory events and ballots.
2. Evidence led We start by understanding a place and its people through site walkabouts and demographic and heritage mapping. This tells us who we need to reach and how best to reach them.
3. Inclusive and accessible We make deliberate efforts to hear from people who are often under-represented in consultation. At Friary Park, for example, we ran dedicated workshops with young women and girls (based on the Make Space for Girls approach), LGBTQ+ residents and neurodivergent residents.
4. In person and online We combine face-to-face events with digital tools and printed materials, so people can take part in the way that suits them.
5. Creative co-design We use creative, hands-on activities that make design accessible to everyone, not only those who are confident reading plans and drawings.
6. Iterative and transparent We engage at every key stage of design and show clearly how feedback has influenced proposals. Our Statements of Community Involvement record this for planning.
7. Built on long term relationships Regeneration can take many years. We stay with communities throughout, building trust and continuity. We have worked on the Aylesbury Estate since 2012 and the Winstanley and York Road Estates since 2016.
What is co-design? Co-design is a process in which residents and stakeholders work directly with the design team to shape proposals, rather than only commenting on finished plans. HTA Communications & Engagement runs co-design workshops and panels as part of the design process.
How do you reach people who don't usually take part in consultation? We use demographic mapping to identify under-represented groups, then design targeted activities such as youth panels, dedicated workshops and pop-up events. We also offer both online and in person options.
