Client: Philip Kolvin QC 

Project: LICensing policy and practice (volume 2)

What were MAKE asked to do?

MAKE founder Alistair was asked to write the concluding chapter of Philip Kolvinʼs revised Licensing Policy and Practice. In particular Alistair asked to address the role of ‘design for the night’ in the licensing and planning of the after dark city.

How did MAKE do it?

• Alistair drew on over 20 years of knowledge and created three sections that explain how the after dark city works at the following spatial scales:

• The macro scale. How licensing policy and planning practice shapes entire cities by zone and quarter after dark, sometimes by accident; but rarely coherently

• The midi scale. How individual quarters and neighbourhoods can be built to function internally to create better places for the evening and night-time economy

• The micro-scale. The tools and techniques needed to get the street level right: from bus stops to taxi ranks, lighting to pop ups.  

What happened next?

Philip’s book has become the de facto standard for all those interested in licensing, night-time economy planning, city-making and after dark place management.

What unique value did MAKE bring to this project?

Because we have a background in planning and urban design as well as licensing, Alistair was able to create a chapter that weaves together both city visioning and high-level spatial planning with the practical advice needed to design streets for the new leisure and licensing realities.