Masterplanning and urban design

At Gillespies, we create landscape-led masterplans and urban design strategies that shape the sustainable growth of cities, communities and destinations. Our work balances design vision with practical delivery, ensuring places are resilient, inclusive and commercially successful.

We work across the UK and internationally, delivering large-scale masterplans, regeneration frameworks, housing and infrastructure strategies, mixed-use developments and tourism-led projects. With a strong track record in masterplanning in the Middle East and GCC, we are experienced in tackling complex, multi-phase projects that require collaboration across disciplines and markets.

Our interdisciplinary team of masterplanners, urban designers, landscape architects and planning consultants integrate green and blue infrastructure, mobility, placemaking and climate resilience into every project. We also prepare public realm design manuals, urban design codes and implementation strategies, giving clients the tools to achieve consistent, high-quality outcomes.

By combining market insight, environmental knowledge and creative design thinking, we help clients unlock value, attract investment and deliver masterplans that leave a lasting positive impact.

We offer the following services across all industry sectors:

• Urban Regeneration and Renewal 

• Smart City and Digital Planning Solutions 

• Strategic Spatial Masterplanning 

• Regional and Metropolitan Masterplans

• New Urban Cores and City Extensions 

• City and Urban Development Frameworks 

• Development and Investment Frameworks 

• Tourism, Destination and Mixed-Use Masterplans 

• Public Realm Design and Placemaking Strategies

• Urban Design Codes and Design Guidelines

• BIM Integration in Masterplanning 

We deliver urban regeneration and renewal masterplans that unlock the full potential of underused sites, reviving city centres, town districts and industrial areas. 

Our approach is placemaking-led and context-driven, combining rigorous spatial analysis with creative design thinking. We work closely with local authorities, developers, and communities to shape visions that celebrate local identity while introducing new layers of activity and culture. From heritage-led regeneration to mixed-use town centre frameworks, our work focuses on reconnecting communities, strengthening local economies, and improving quality of life through public realm, green infrastructure, and inclusive design.

We deliver public realm and placemaking strategies that shape high-performing, people-centred environments. Our work transforms streets, squares, parks and waterfronts into well-structured, inclusive and sustainable urban spaces that enhance movement, ecology and everyday life.

We operate across all scales, from detailed public realm design to strategic urban regeneration and renewal frameworks, ensuring spatial coherence between buildings, infrastructure and open space. Our design process combines spatial analysis, user experience mapping and topography studies to create places that balance functionality, biodiversity and social activity, while reinforcing local identity and civic pride.

To ensure delivery and long-term quality, we develop urban design codes and design guidelines that define parameters for layout, density, building form, materials and landscape character. These frameworks provide a robust interface between planning and design, maintaining design quality from concept to construction.
 

We design new urban quarters and city extensions that expand and enhance existing settlements. Each masterplan balances density, mobility and green infrastructure to deliver liveable, mixed-use communities where people can live, work and thrive sustainably.

We deliver regional and metropolitan masterplans that shape new tourism destinations and mixed-use city regions. Our approach integrates spatial planning, transport networks, economic diversification and environmental strategy to guide sustainable development at scale.

Through detailed spatial analysis, tourism planning and stakeholder collaboration, we create frameworks that align visitor infrastructure, employment zones and cultural assets, driving investment, connectivity and long-term destination resilience across emerging urban regions.