Perth & Kinross

How community-led design is creating warmer homes and better transport in Perth and Kinross

Perth and Kinross Council is working with communities across a rural area, where small villages, long distances and older off-grid homes make heating and transport complex.

Through the Revitalising Homes workstream, the council, Nicki Souter Associates, Blairgowrie and Rattray Development Trust, Parity Projects and the HEAT Project used community workshops to test a one-stop shop for home energy upgrades. Residents, local groups and partners co-designed a service offering advice, trusted installers and routes to funding, tailored to traditional stone properties that are difficult and expensive to improve.

Understanding local needs was just as important for improving transport. Workshops and conversations with older people, young people, disabled residents, low-income households and people without cars shaped priorities. Their insight is guiding trials such as electric community minibuses, local fare zones and better walking and cycling routes, and informing the Smart Moves Aberfeldy campaign, which promotes sustainable and active travel in and around the town.

Find out more

If you are interested in learning how to transform your community, town or city, then read the Citizen Engagement on Net Zero report. If you would like to speak to someone about this project, contact the Net Zero Living team.