Thought leading insights and research that defines our markets
Parklife: Integrating play policy and design
The former mayor of Bogotá, Columbia, Enrique Peñalosa (Peñalosa in Thomas-Bailey, 2014) wisely identified that ‘Children are a kind of indicator species. If we can build a successful city for children, we will have a successful city for all people.’
Avoiding emissions or avoiding the problem? The case of peatland carbon
In a previous article, Andy Turnbull outlined the £8.6 billion opportunity for private investment into peatland restoration - in Scotland alone. But as the rules and standards around corporate climate action evolve, there is a risk that certain types of nature-based solution are side-lined, because they reduce emissions rather than removing carbon from the atmosphere. Writes Matt Hay, Associate, Natural Capital & Sustainable Investment.
The Scottish property rollercoaster
To say the Scottish property market has been a rollercoaster ride over the past two years would be an understatement. No one could have predicted the impact that Covid would have as it emerged in early 2020, followed by the market pessimism, then tentative optimism fuelled by our cautious re-emergence and the subsequent resurgence of the market in early 2021.
Is Gove the One to Solve the Housing Need Conundrum?
I've been pondering what to do for a blog over the last few months, trying to avoid one about housing need. But when our newly minted (deep breath) Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (SoSfLUH&C?) commented that the data currently used is "probably out of date", I couldn't resist.
Casting a lens on Milton Keynes' growth
“In terms of delivering growth that is less about numbers and more about maximising benefits for the area, Milton Keynes Council appear to be making the right noises. But will authorities collaborate to shape development and deliver growth across the Arc that is greater than the sum of the individual parts?”
Why we need to make heritage assessments 'thoroughly thorough'
The process of completing heritage assessments is not what it once was. Certain things used to be OK to say, or sufficient for the job. Not now. The margin for error is now so slim and the structure for justifying your conclusions so well established now, that there is little wriggle room. Therefore, the buzz word is “thoroughness”.
BEN OxCam Arc Conference - Mike Derbyshire's Keynote Speech
During Built Environment Network's (BEN) OxCam Arc Conference, sponsored by Bidwells, Head of Planning Mike Derbyshire kicked off the first day by delivering a keynote speech. Mike called on government, property, science and academia to think radically about the future of the Oxford-Cambridge Arc and deliver a new type of economic growth.
Fourth National Planning Framework inevitably focusses on sustainability and locality
The long-anticipated Draft NPF4 was published for consultation by The Scottish Government yesterday evening (10 November). Given that climate change and the climate emergency are a key theme and referenced over 100 times throughout the document, it’s no coincidence that the publication has coincided with the timing of COP26.
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