Thoughts

Getting the public’s input into the design of a place is crucial to creating better places. If you believe in community engagement - but have been frustrated with the process and results - we hear you.

How ADP Architects are using societal value to create a campus that supports innovation and enterprise for the University of Leeds.

A housing design audit for England released this month has determined that the majority of housing developments in England are poor or mediocre in quality.

Working as an intern is a desirable addition to a CV and is valued by employers in the recruiting process. But what is the actual value of completing an internship and how can employers maximise benefits to create a worthwhile opportunity for both intern and employer alike?

In his book, A Country of Cities: A Manifesto for an Urban America, architect Vishaan Chakrabarti, argues that improved urban outcomes are created by better environments and economies which in turn lead to increased social equity.

Social value is a key consideration for the built environment, but it’s still frequently overlooked. Many surveying and valuation practitioners either ignore it completely or adopt a rather narrow interpretation of the Red Book/International Valuation Standards. 

One year ago, The Lancet published the findings of its Commission on Pollution and Health. The report should have resulted in immediate action by governments and regulators on a worldwide basis.

It’s been a while since the Financial Times (October 16th, 2017) reported that the UK National Advisory Board for Impact Investing (a group of charities and investors), asked the government to come up with a £2bn catalyst fund to ‘jump-start private sector investment in economically-deprived communities’.

There have been many attempts to define the components that together make up places that support people and the environment.

How to align the interests of private and public sectors with the aspirations and needs of local citizens, businesses and communities.

Governments urged to consider sustainable return on investment as the push for economic growth, without understanding the social and environmental impact on people, is finally being seen as poor policy-making.