How Can Nottingham's Broadmarsh Development be Truly Sustainable and Inclusive?

The Broadmarsh is like the city's front door - the first thing people see when they arrive. For the people who live here, it’s something we should be proud of. 

By now we’ve probably all seen the massive mural outside the Broadmarsh building site declaring Nottingham as a "city of rebels," but what does that mean for the Broadmarsh's future? Will it be another dull development, or a bold step towards a sustainable and exciting future for Nottingham?

That's why it's so important that we get it right. As a member of the People's Broadmarsh Coalition, I'm calling on the City Council to ensure that the development of the Broadmarsh adheres to two vital principles: keep it in public ownership and make it as environmentally friendly as possible.

"Environmentally friendly" can mean a lot of things to different people, so we're calling for complete transparency from any contractors or developers working on the Broadmarsh. We need more than just some solar panels to make a building "green." We need visionary leadership that listens to the public, architects, and the planet.

We need to take a whole new approach to sustainable building. The World Green Building Council and The London Energy Transformation Initiative (LETI) have put forward scientific evidence that a whole-life carbon approach is the only way to ensure net-zero emissions. That means considering the carbon footprint of building materials, construction methods, and the way the building is used, as well as its energy efficiency.

We're talking about real change, beyond racks and recycling bins, a future where our buildings are not just functional, but beautiful, sustainable, and inspiring. Just look at York's "Passivhaus" homes, or the University of East Anglia's award-winning Enterprise Centre, both examples of what's possible when we think outside the box.

We're not just building a new shopping centre, we're building the future of our city. The Broadmarsh is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Nottingham, and we need to make the most of it. And that means keeping the Broadmarsh in public ownership. If it were owned by a private company, they would only have to meet the government's low standards. By keeping it in public ownership, we can set the standards ourselves and hold developers accountable.

The City Council's CN2028 program is a great initiative, but we need to make sure that we're actually making progress towards a sustainable future, and whole-life carbon neutrality is the scientifically valid way to measure our progress. It's time to start taking bold steps towards a sustainable future.

We’re at an exciting point with the city's development. The Broadmarsh provides a chance to create something truly special here in Nottingham, something that will inspire people for generations to come. And the best part is that we don't have to do it alone. There are architects, scientists, and other experts out there who are just as passionate as we are about sustainable development. By working together, we can achieve something truly amazing.

If you want Nottingham's new Broadmarsh to be something we're all proud of, make your voice heard. Let your elected officials know that you care about sustainability and get involved with local activists and green groups who are campaigning for real change. And most importantly, keep dreaming big. This is our chance to make Nottingham a shining example of what a sustainable city can be, and we can't afford to waste it.

The Broadmarsh is not just a building - it's a symbol of what Nottingham can be. We have the chance to make a real difference here, to create a brighter future for ourselves and for the planet. Let's be the rebels that Nottingham is proud of - rebels for sustainability, for progress, and for a better tomorrow. Let’s build a front door to be proud of.