Welcome to the February 2012 Place Bulletin. This month we have more news from the Department for Communities and Local Government, with Grant Shapps announcing a new pilot scheme off the back of the recent Mary Portas high street review; and Eric Pickles committing £3 billion of funding to the Greater London Authority for housing and regeneration in London. We also have a couple of interesting articles from the BBC, the first being a radio 4 broadcast which looks at the factors which contribute to a thriving city, and a piece on the increasing economic divide between cities. We also have another of Bristol City Council’s essential evidence series, and a piece from the Royal Horticultural society about the link between urban gardens and crime rates.