Community Stewardship Solutions

Building stronger, more empowered, sustainable and diverse communities through stewardship, placemaking and legacy

Stewardship

Community Stewardship Solutions (CSS) is a specialist stewardship and placemaking consultancy that has evolved through nearly thirty years of experience. We support national and local organisations, to ensure responsibility is taken for the long-term protection, wellbeing, and success of new and existing communities.

Working within major new housing developments in urban areas, and smaller rural communities, planning and implementing strategies to bring about renewal through social, physical, and economic regeneration, we understand the importance of the design, implementation, management and maintenance of public open spaces, parks, housing and community assets and infrastructure. We are passionate about creating places and spaces thathave people and community at their heart.

Placemaking

Stewardship is the means to the end, with the end being Placemaking; building a safe and secure environment where people feel rooted, creating a sense of community ownership through meaningful community activities and participation.

This involves working creatively and innovatively, generating excitement to do things differently, engaging and collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders, and changing the way communities interact with their environment and green spaces.

The ability to connect with your neighbour is so important for people’s sense of self and wellbeing. When you feel safe, supported and connected, that is when you feel part of a community and your house really becomes a home.

Legacy

At the heart of stewardship and placemaking is the desire to create communities that provide spaces, infrastructure and facilities as a lasting legacy, actively promote the wellbeing of residents and nature, empower people to have a say on how these are managed, and in turn create a sense of pride, ultimately building communities that reap the benefits in perpetuity.

The full use and long term management of parks, play areas and community centres is as fundamental as the new homes, electricity and roads in creating attractive, liveable and successful developments. Effective planning for stewardship places the management and long-term funding of these community assets at the forefront of the design and planning application process, rather than as an afterthought.