Built environment comment & blogs

Expert comment on town planning, urban regeneration, economic development, urban design, sustainable development & community building.

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Opinion: Universities must retain their role in urban regeneration

Without the dynamism of the tertiary education sector, many cities in the UK would be on their last legs, writes Tim Williams.

Opinion: Floods problem requires smart thinking

Last month's serious floods, affecting large areas in the north of England, have put the issue of development on the flood plain back in the news.

Opinion: It's time to view economic development differently

That means looking at growth and inclusion through the lens of sustainability, rather than continuing to pursue growth at all costs, writes Mark Lynam.

Opinion: The tide is turning for town centres

Making the change from a sprawling, car reliant town with a bombed out high street to a fully functioning, attractive walkable place isn't easy, writes Chris Brown.

Opinion: Plan transport for urban growth rather than to relieve congestion

There has been a lack of land-use and transport integration at the heart of infrastructure appraisal, writes Tim Williams.

Councils that overuse their new design muscle risk strangling housing delivery, by Joey Gardiner

Goldsmith Street in Norwich, the 105-home council housing development which won last month's Stirling Prize for architecture, was undoubtedly a timely victor.

Opinion: Good design requires good designers and clients

The government's National Design Guide for new housing is fundamentally flawed in its belief that regulation can deliver good design, writes Chris Brown.

Opinion: How cities can work for all

Civic dialogue is needed to identify a city's key challenges and opportunities and lead to effective answers and delivery, writes Tim Williams.

No special planning treatment for homes built using modern methods, by Joey Gardiner

Last week the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) made clear it will make no changes to the planning system to encourage the building of more homes using modern methods of construction. It comes despite compelling evidence that using such methods can significantly speed the delivery of homes, and a promise to consider reforms in the 2017 Housing White Paper.