Traditionally, the definition of retrofit has been narrow, focusing on houses on an individual scale. Installing things like solar panels (PV), double-glazing and insulation all fall under this umbrella. These things are important to make our houses fit for purpose; to cut our bills, warm our homes, and reduce our emissions.

But retrofit doesn't stop at the front door. By looking at whole streets and whole neighbourhoods on a collective scale, we find that by working together, we can not only make more of our houses fit for purpose with increased effiveiency, but also improve other aspects of urban life – from the food we eat, to the way we get around.

Together with our community, at Retrofit Balsall Heath we are working to demonstrate that by reimagining our houses, streets and neighbourhoods, we can make our urban communities fit for purpose – both for the people who live there, and for our planet.