25 Priorities for Place

Research from the Institute of Place Management at Manchester Metropolitan University has identified the Top 25 priorities that can influence high street vitality and viability.

The framework was created by experts from a range of disciplines and other stakeholders to foster cross-disciplinary knowledge and broadening real-world understanding of the changing nature of the high street. The 25 priorities are practically orientated and, given their ability to be controlled or influenced at a town level, are fairly internally focussed. For each of the priorities you will find an introduction to evidence that describes the priority, suggests what it covers, discusses how it might be implemented and the level of control associated with it.

Used by practitioners, policymakers, researchers, local authorities, BIDs and community organisations across the UK and internationally, the framework helps place leaders identify priorities, target investment and develop more effective place-based strategies.

“The main question is where do you start and what do you do? I think the IPM models provide a useful starting point and can help make a real difference within urban areas.”

Jeroen Roose-Van Leijden, Centre Management Academy, The Netherlands

Developed through the ESRC-funded High Street UK 2020 programme, the framework identified the factors that influence the vitality and viability of high streets and town centres. You can read more about the background to the ’25 Priorities’ and how they were selected in the Journal of Place Management and Development’s open access special issue here. You can see examples of places that have used the 25 Factors to inform place-based strategies and plans here.

“I am a big fan of the ‘25 factors to consider’ and use this framework wherever I can to get people to think differently about place and am delighted that these are going to be refreshed.”

Jacqueline Ford, Economic Partnerships Lead, Buckinghamshire Council, UK

As places evolve from retail-led centres to more complex destinations incorporating housing, health, culture, community infrastructure, workspaces and green spaces, the factors that influence place performance are also changing. The Institute of Place Management is therefore undertaking a major review of the framework. The updated 25 Priorities for Place will be launched in 2027 and will provide a practical framework to support place leadership, policy development, investment decisions, professional practice and community action.

The review will involve a comprehensive programme of research, engagement and validation, including:

• An academic literature review
• A 12-month programme of engaged scholarship
• Contributions from researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and communities
• International insight and validation
• Workshops, roundtables, and evidence reviews

We are inviting contributions from practitioners, policymakers, community organisations, academics, and students. For more information or to contribute to the review, contact IPM@mmu.ac.uk.

The framework also underpins the development of professional standards, skills pathways, Continuing Professional Development and professional accreditation within the Institute of Place Management.

Continuing Professional Development

The 25 Priorities for Place provide the organising framework for IPM’s Continuing Professional Development programme. By aligning CPD activity to the framework, members develop a balanced and evidence-based understanding of place management and the factors that influence place performance. This supports professionals to move beyond isolated interventions and instead take a holistic, strategic approach to shaping places. Engagement with the 25 priorities enables members to:

• Build knowledge across the full range of factors that influence place performance
• Apply evidence and insight to local challenges and decision-making
• Develop more integrated and effective responses to complex place-based issues
• Demonstrate professional competence within a recognised framework

The 25 priorities ensure that CPD is not simply a collection of activities, but part of a structured and coherent approach to professional development, grounded in the realities of managing and improving places. You can access our resources connected to the 25 Factors in our CPD section here. You must be logged in to visit this page.

Through the 25 Priorities for Place, IPM is helping build a more evidence-based, professional and internationally connected approach to place management.