Raploch :

A 21st Century Connected Community (2005)

The Raploch community in Stirling has a history that can be traced back to the ancient drove roads of Scotland. The community encircles the Western approach to Stirling Castle, no more than a stone throw from the hugely important historic battle sites of Stirling Bridge and Bannockburn. Rapploch is an immensely proud community.

In 2004 Raploch was designated one of three national 'pathfinder' regeneration programmes by the Scottish Government and BusinessLab was commissioned by the new urban generation company to advise on how technology could be integrated to create a 21st Century Connected Community. In particular, the focus was how to ensure that the Raploch community was not simply an observer in its own regeneration.

BusinessLab's work centred on ways in which ICT could be harnessed to ensure a fully inclusive regeneration process. This involved extensive research into European telecoms policy, with particular regard to fibre-to-the-home initiatives, and breakthrough regeneration programmes in the Europe, Scandinavia, the Far East and the USA.

BusinessLab also developed innovative concepts for building community capacity - including 'Radio Raploch', a community-based radio station, based on a configuration of customised, recycled international shipping containers that won the support of BT, Nesta and Cisco.

It was during its work for Raploch that BusinessLab also researched, designed, developed and trialled the Community Signature.