Creating vibrant places: How law firms can help shape communities

In an era marked by dynamic societal shifts, urbanisation and evolving community needs, the concept of a vibrant place can be a crucial element in shaping the fabric of our country. Investing in and advocating for them can enable us to lay the groundwork for a sustainable and prosperous future.

For the current government, economic growth is imperative and the development of vibrant places — tailored to address the unique needs of different regions — will be essential in achieving this critical goal. And as responsible businesses, law firms can play a vital role in driving this positive change.

Understanding vibrant places

Our Creating Vibrant Places report, in collaboration with Anthropy, was developed through a collective effort involving a diverse panel of experts from multiple sectors. It also incorporates data from a survey of 1,241 people to understand public attitudes towards their living and work environments.

The report simplifies the notion of a vibrant place, maps out the opportunities they present, looks at the barriers to their realisation, and outlines targeted asks of central and local government, businesses and individuals to enable their creation.

Key findings

Despite acknowledging government and local authority investment as a barrier, the public predominantly places the responsibility for creating vibrant places on these public bodies.

Less than half (46%) of respondents consider their residential areas vibrant and even fewer (33%) perceive their workplaces as such. Greater London is the only place where respondents believe their workplaces are more vibrant than where they live.

Factors contributing to vibrant places include transport services and green spaces, both for workplaces and residential areas. Leisure, hospitality and entertainment, and housing are also seen as crucial elements.

Proposed solutions

Creating vibrant places requires a concerted effort from central and local governments, businesses and individuals, and the report proposes several targeted solutions.

One significant approach is conducting a full review of the broken business rates system. The Netherlands successfully overhauled its system in the mid-90s — demonstrating that it is possible to transform a centralised, slow and overly-complex system into an agile and fair tax that considers local conditions and rewards local economic growth.

The importance of investing in full-fibre broadband networks to increase digital connectivity and support economic growth and social inclusion is also emphasised, as is revisiting planning obligations and adapting licensing laws to create safe spaces for young people.

The role of law firms

Law firms can significantly influence the development of vibrant places by advocating for policies that support their creation and working closely with local governments to shape legislation that promotes sustainable urban development, fair business practices and community wellbeing. Supporting entrepreneurs, startups and small businesses by offering information, opportunities and debate helps them navigate legal challenges, contributing to their evolution and stability.

Implementing robust CSR programmes that focus on community engagement and volunteering, adopting sustainable practices within their operations, and encouraging clients to do the same, can also have a positive impact — while mentoring young people, offering internships and providing educational workshops can develop the next generation of legal professionals and strengthen community ties.

Greater London is the only place where respondents believe their workplaces are more vibrant than where they live.

Empowered working and social mobility are additional areas where firms can make a substantial difference. By creating jobs in regions where a career in law might not have been seen as a viable option, and hiring individuals to work locally in empowered, hybrid or remote roles, firms can distribute legal expertise more evenly across the country.

This approach not only prevents the concentration of talent in major cities like London but also supports local vibrant communities by retaining young talent and enabling individuals, such as carers or young mothers, to re-enter the workforce through flexible working policies.

With the expertise, resources and influence to drive significant positive change in their communities, firms should embrace their role as responsible businesses to help create vibrant places that are sustainable, inclusive and prosperous for all.