European law firm Fieldfisher is proud to announce the launch today (12 July 2019) of the LGBT+ Place-Making Toolkit – a guide to protecting LGBT+ places using the UK planning system, devised by industry campaign group, Planning Out.
The toolkit will be officially launched today at London's City Hall with the support of London's Night Czar Amy Lamé and the Built Environment Communications Group.
The event will be attended by leading campaigners on LGBT+ issues, including Dan de la Motte from Queer Tours of London, as well as representatives from Planning Out, a 500+ strong membership organisation of planning industry professionals.
The toolkit is intended to build on the findings of a 2017 study by UCL Urban Laboratory, which found that in the previous 10 years alone, 58% of London's LGBT+ clubs, bars and performance spaces had closed, dropping from 125 to 53.
Those LGBT+ spaces and areas that remain, including the world-famous concentration of venues in Soho, the Joiners' Arms in Tower Hamlets, Fabric nightclub in Farringdon and the Royal Vauxhall Tavern in Vauxhall, many of which have been threatened with and rescued from closure, continue to be some of the most vibrant, inclusive and best known areas of the city.
Planning Out hopes that by providing a guidance on how planning regulations can be used to protect LGBT+ venues from closure or re-development, and to support the temporary use of spaces for LGBT+ -friendly activities, these areas can continue to form an important part of the social framework of communities.
The UCL findings have also helped to inform the Mayor of London's Cultural Infrastructure Plan, which provides valuable policy and decision-making support for the protection and promotion of creative and cultural areas, including for LGBT+ uses.
Planning out hopes that its LGBT+ Place-Making Toolkit will further assist with the Mayor's initiative.
Fieldfisher planning partner, Yohanna Weber, co-chair of Planning Out and author of the toolkit, comments:
"50 years since the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality in the UK and the Stonewall riots in New York, we are fortunate that many LGBT+ people can live their lives openly in a way that was unimaginable 30-40 years ago.
"At Planning Out, we believe that strong communities are vital to ensuring happiness and wellbeing in the LGBT+ community.
"As planners we believe that the planning system and the built environment are vital for providing safe and engaging spaces where LGBT+ people can be themselves and celebrate who they are.
"We believe that LGBT+ venues and businesses provide a rich and diverse array of facilities and services, supporting the lives of the LGBT+ community and enriching the overall fabric of our society."
To download a copy of the toolkit, please click here.
About Fieldfisher
Fieldfisher is a European law firm with market leading practices in many of the world's most dynamic sectors. We are an exciting, forward-thinking organisation with a particular focus on real estate, energy & natural resources, technology, finance & financial services, life sciences and media.
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, motivated and able to be themselves. We view difference as a strength and a key part of our strategy in relation to attracting, keeping and progressing the best people.
We deliver cutting-edge advice to clients across the globe. This means it is vital that our lawyers and business services staff understand and reflect different backgrounds, perspectives, cultures, experience, nationality, age, gender, sexual orientation, language, disability, and other characteristics. For the firm's diversity statistics, please click here.
Our network has more than 1,550 people working across 25 offices in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Beijing, Belfast, Birmingham, Bologna, Brussels, Dublin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Guangzhou, Hamburg, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Manchester, Milan, Munich, Paris, Rome, Shanghai, Turin, Venice and Silicon Valley.
Fieldfisher was named as a top 20 firm by the FT Innovative Lawyers Awards 2018.
About Planning Out
Planning Out was established in London in July 2016. It is a forum run by and for LGBT+ professionals in the town planning sector to develop networks across the industry.
We have over 500 members from the public and private sectors, in planning and related professions such as surveyors and land professionals, architects, transport planners, urban designers, planning lawyers and public affairs consultants.
Our aim is to provide a friendly, collegiate and supportive community within the planning world to encourage members to share experiences and feel comfortable being, or becoming, LGBT+ in the workplace and in their professional lives.
We also aim to influence the planning system through policy making and best practice to encourage greater acceptance and visibility of the needs of the LGBT+ community.