Sharing the vision for city’s nature-led regeneration

In the latest edition of Marketing Derby’s Innovate magazine, we meet the team behind Down to Earth Derby, an organisation pushing for a nature-based urban regeneration of the city.

Down To Earth Derby is an organisation that aims to empower residents to be part of making the city a world leader in nature-based urban regeneration with a thriving, sustainable-regenerative economy.

Earlier this year, Down to Earth’s vision was shared at a showcase event, which was attended by more than 300 people.

Attendees were introduced to spectacular visuals for six city centre sites, including concepts for a huge wetlands area, an innovative urban future farm and the botanical cocktail garden bar.

The event also saw Eden Project co-founder Sir Tim Smit and Down to Earth Derby founder Jamie Quince-Starkey speak about a nature-based regeneration of the city.

Jamie told Innovate: “Derby was a major centre of The Enlightenment movement. Well, this could be a new, green enlightenment.

“Down To Earth was an idea born out of conflict – the conflict of living life in the modern day and the realisation of the negative impact we have on this planet.

“We can use nature to regenerate the social experience in our city and to reimagine our high streets – turning them from grey to green and blue.

“There’s so much doom and gloom but let’s be positive, take direct action and actually do something about it.”

Sir Tim’s appearance at Down to Earth’s showcase was no accident. The organisation has already gathered an impressive array of supporters, including the man behind the Eden Project, in Cornwall.

Sir Tim is now acting as a mentor to Down To Earth. His Eden Project team helped visualise the group’s Derby masterplan.

He told Innovate: “I’m genuinely hugely excited by the opportunities in Derby and, best of all, I think most of the ideas are already here.”

To read the full article in the latest Innovate magazine click here.

The repurposing of place will be the central theme of the forthcoming Derby Property Summit, which takes place on Wednesday 13 July.

Places are now available to book for the hybrid event. For more information please click here.