Urban Update 10 October 2024
IN BRIEF
- Two Surveys
- MHCLG - Demolishing, Redeveloping and Retrofitting Buildings - 15 Minutes
- Office for Place - Medium Density Research - Looking for examples of good practice
- Housing Market and Model Broken - Blighted by Poor Quality - Kevin McCloud
- Climate change - once we pass 1.5 centigrade there may be no going back warns New Scientist
- Age of Extinction: 73 percent decline in average size of wildlife populations in last 50 years - WWF
- Deep transport energy demand reduction is achievable
- Potential for district heating - detailed paper
- Local online shopping platforms' potential for reviving retail and trade in villages and small towns
- How working from home has changed dining patterns
- Nature and loneliness -
- Planning for Healthy Places - model planning policies
- New Towns
- Crawley reflections
- Motopia - 1959 - cars on the roof
- 2024 - Inspire Future Generations Awards - Designing Inclusive Environments
- and much more
Energy and Climate Change
Once we pass 1.5 Centigrade there may be no going back – warns New Scientist
- The models used to create the forecasts contain uncertainties and there is a chance of significant overshoot scenarios..
- There is no guarantee that the climate won’t continue to warm if we do reach Net Zero….
- Temperatures may continue to rise owing to feedback mechanisms such as melting permafrost releasing carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere
- Overshoot scenarios may require the removal of huge quantities of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere with zero benefit to the generations who pay for it - something that would be difficult for governments to sell to their citizens. Nor does the carbon capture technology currently exist at the scale required.
- Temperature reduction will take decades – and humankind and ecosystems will have to cope with the increased temperatures in the meantime. Some consequences of climate change, including loss of life, damage to ecosystems, and extinction of species.
The article doesn’t mention ocean acidification that results from increased carbon dioxide levels, quite small changes in pH values can disrupt plankton and coral growth.
How underground heat reservoirs could be the future of cheaper heating bills >>>>
Potential use of district heating networks and the prospects for the advancements within urban areas of Nottingham as a case study - Energy Reports
Contains some interesting assessments, including the use of waste to energy, large scale heat pumps, heat storage, and district heating and cooling.
Movement
Achieving deep transport energy demand reductions in the United Kingdom - Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
This paper suggests that the potential for transformative change exists, but while technological advancements are essential, they alone are insufficient; a holistic approach that considers broader social impacts is crucial.
- Mobility Energy Demand Reduction target of up to 61% by 2050 without compromising access to services should be set.
- Mode Shifting: to public transport, walking, and cycling.
- Improvements in Vehicle Efficiency and use of Electric Vehicles: Focus on improving vehicle energy efficiency and increasing the use of electric vehicles (EVs).
- Address Non-Exhaust Emissions – brake dust, road surface dust which contribute to PM 2.5 particulate levels.
- Promote Active Travel: (walking, cycling, e-biking) to enhance public health and reduce chronic diseases.
- Quality Infrastructure: to support active travel and ensure safety.
- Integrated Policy Measures: that consider behaviour change, quality of life, and co-benefits, focusing on active living, clean air, and reduced inequality.
- Community and Stakeholder Collaboration: to maintain interest in local online shopping platforms and support their long-term success.
- Holistic Assessment of Policies: Use a structured scenario-based approach to evaluate the combined effects of various policy mixes, social changes, and technological advancements.
- Transport Energy Demand Strategy: The UK government should develop a detailed strategy to address transport energy demand in alignment with carbon reduction goals.
Pedestrian-friendly vision for City of London includes new lighting, wider pavements, and cyclist improvements >>>>
Natural Environment
World Wildlife Fund 2024 Report >>>> Short Video >>>>
73 percent decline in the average size of wildlife populations in the last 50 years
State of Natural Capital Report for England 2024: Risks to Nature and why it matters >>>>
Politics, Philosophy, Economics
Kevin McCloud: 'The whole house-building market, and model, is broken' >>>>
The Grand Designs host has argued against a fixation on housing numbers, saying that it leads to a neglect of quality in construction. According to McCloud, the house-building market prioritizes profit for shareholders over providing affordable, quality housing. The consequence is the compromising of standards and issues such as the Grenfell tragedy.
McCloud argues that local authorities should have the power to set higher building standards than those set out in the building regulations in order to promote environmentally friendly housing solutions. He points out that quality housing can be achieved by learning from successful social housing projects, which often employ innovative technologies like passive housing and renewable energy sources. Social housing is often at the forefront of implementing new technologies that prioritize residents' well-being: the government should look to local housing associations for examples of high-quality, sustainable housing rather than foreign models, demonstrating that quality housing can be built effectively in the UK.
It is incredible and tragic that we continue to build housing that will need to be retrofitted at great expense to meet the challenges of Net Zero, climate change, and spiralling future energy costs. It points to a massive market failure both in housebuilding and the mortgage sector, where banks and building societies are prepared to lend money for the purchase of homes and homeowners that will be highly exposed to increases in energy costs. It also points to the failure by successive governments to adequately regulate and protect home purchasers and occupiers. It is possible to build social housing to passivhaus standards, and there is no excuse for private sector housing not to be built to those same standards.
Passivhouse Trust social housing webinar 17 October >>>>
The potential of local online shopping platforms for villages and small and medium-sized towns - Journal of Rural Studies
In recent decades, retail and small shops in small and medium-sized towns have faced decline, largely due to a move towards out-of-town shopping centres. However, some towns have benefited from counter-urbanization, leading to the gentrification of their high streets, where traditional stores catering to lower-income populations are often replaced by upmarket and "hipster" oriented shops. This research focuses on rural areas and towns experiencing overall shop decline. Potential solutions to combat this trend include reducing shop sizes and providing multichannel services that integrate online and offline shopping experiences.
A local online shopping platform is a digital marketplace that focuses on connecting consumers with local businesses and services in a specific geographic area. These platforms typically allow users to browse and purchase products or services offered by local retailers, restaurants, artisans, or service providers
The results showed potential, but also challenges: for example shops have to maintain stock records for their physical store, and also their online store – adding to workload. There could be difficulties in catering for younger and older customers.
History
The Silk Road still casts a spell, but was the ancient trading route just a western invention? >>>>
Also – check out the Silk Cities website >>>>
British history is being destroyed before our eyes – and it has nothing to do with culture wars over statues >>>>
Article bewailing the closure of libraries and museums in the face of years of underfunding of local authorities.
Rome once ruled from this surprising UK city – and it’s not Bath but Carlisle >>>>
Humans, Health, Society
Working from home has changed the way the UK dines out >>>>
More people dining out on Sunday evening
Fewer people dining on Fridays. Thursday’s now seen as the new Friday.
“Treat meal” still popular
The changes come against a background of rising food and energy costs faced by businesses.
The impact of depression and anxiety on mobile phone addiction and the mediating effect of self-esteem – Scientific Reports
Surveying university students in Northeastern China, this study argues that “self-esteem and anxiety mediate the link between and MPA (mobile phone addiction)”. It theorises that “depression leads to anxiety, which leads to lower self-esteem—and, when a person is anxious, their self-esteem decreases, leading to mobile phone addiction.
Community-led urban transformation project as transdisciplinary approach: Case of Senboku Hottokenai Network Project - Habitat International
Combining case study and action research methodologies, this paper outlines and explores a community led project in a suburban residential area, responding primarily to the pressures of population decline and a higher proportion of older adults and the need for urban planning to address their needs.
Contact with nature, nature prescriptions, and loneliness: Evidence from an international survey of adults in Australia, India, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States - Health & Place
This survey of 2,100 people across Australia, India, Singapore, the UK, and the US studied the link between loneliness and contact with nature.
- Loneliness levels were higher in India, Singapore, the UK, and the US compared to Australia.
- Social loneliness was lower for those who regularly visited nature or spent at least two hours weekly in natural settings.
- Emotional loneliness was higher among those who felt they had no one to accompany them to nature.
- Some emotionally lonely people spent more time in nature, possibly seeking solace or connection.
- Cultural and country-specific differences in loneliness were found.
The study suggests nature contact could help reduce loneliness, but further research with culturally tailored interventions is needed to confirm its effectiveness.
A study of the impact of urban spaces on social resilience in case of natural disasters: Insights from citizens affected by March 2019 flood in Aq Qala City, Iran - International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction
Using a structured questionnaire survey, this paper advances an understanding of what urban resilience consists of, and how urban spaces can contribute to this. Apart from other factors such as cultural capital, it highlights in particular the interconnectedness of “physical infrastructure, community activities, social capital, social cohesion, and social resilience”.
Urban protracted displacement and displacement economies - Environment & Urbanization
“People in protracted displacement have their lives on hold. Many face years in exile, often moving to towns and cities where legal, bureaucratic and practical barriers hinder their economic inclusion. Often denied freedom of movement, the right to work, own property, receive a full education or achieve an adequate standard of living, their de jure and de facto rights are curtailed.”
Refugees often rely on informal work to survive, but research on urban displacement economies is limited. Structural barriers to economic inclusion, such as legal and practical hurdles, need attention in policy discussions. Refugee entrepreneurship plays a key role in local economies, but challenges such as legal status, mobility, and gender-based violence hinder progress. Partnerships between displaced people and locals help refugees navigate barriers but can leave them vulnerable.
The Displacement Economies Framework (DEF) a Displacement Economies Framework, a theoretical and programming tool is used to help analyze economic strategies, barriers, and successes for refugees, highlighting the potential of displacement economies to benefit host cities.
Built Environment
Ten questions and answers concerning the role of urban greenery in shaping the future of urban areas - Building and Environment
This paper explores the ecological and social benefits of the various forms of urban greenery, as well as the challenges and costs involved in their construction and maintenance.
How ‘perfect storm’ blew away planned social homes England needs >>>>
Over 1 million families and individuals are on England’s social housing waiting list. Experts say 90,000 social homes must be built annually for a decade, but only 5,000 were built last year. The problems include:
- Financial challenges, costly repairs, and construction delays have stalled housing projects.
- The Grenfell Fire and Awaab Ishak (mould) tragedies have led to increased repair costs, further straining budgets.
- Housing associations face reduced rental income and unpredictable rent caps.
- Councils spent over £1 billion on temporary housing, risking bankruptcy.
- Social homes offered by housebuilders often don’t meet housing associations' needs (e.g., too many one-bedroom flats).
Planning for Healthy Places – TCPA >>>>
New report provides examples of local plan policies including
- climate change
- green infrastructure
- takeaways
- funding of health improvements
- etc
New Towns
Motopia - A vision for a New Town at Staines in 1959
A vision developed by Ove Arup and Geoffrey Jellicoe, for a 5 story mega structure town with ample landscaping, and roads running on the 6th floor at roof level.
Movietone programme >>>>
With thanks to Graham Smith for the suggestion.
Crawley follow-up
Sam Appleby writes:
Thank you to everyone who watched Crawley , my audiovisual ode to the town in which I grew up, featured in Urban Update in August. It seemed appropriate to revive this 1990 work at a time when New Towns are back on the agenda. At that time Crawley was post-modernising, adopting the Little Englandism typical of the late 80s and in denial of its socialist utopian roots. It later saw some intensification à la New Labour’s Urban Renaissance but most of the new neighbourhoods are of low density and traditional house design. There has been some official recognition of its modernist heritage in the form of five conservation areas. If and how these may inform future New Town design remains to be seen.
For more examples of Sam's urban-themed audiovisual work go to >>>>
Among them, Civil Twilight revisits the visual approach of Crawley in the context of North London post-war housing estates. Also, images of Soho during Lockdown and his response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
More Great Events
Active Travel Cafe
on Zoom every Tuesday, 5:00-6:15 pm f
Details and Tickets
Foundation Certificate in Urban Design
returning in 2025.
Historic Towns and Villages Forum
Managing Green Spaces >>>>
15 October 1.30-2.30 Zoom
Kent Design
Autumn Programme >>>>
Office for Place
16th October – Setting your design code vision
23rd October – Ingredients of a design code: part 1
30th October – Ingredients of a design code: part 2
6th November – Planning your coding process
Trees and Design Action Group
Events programme >>>>
Designing with Trees 29th October, 2-4pm BST.Zoom
Urban trees and planning – policy, legal framework, delivery 21st November, 2-4pm GMT Zoom
Survey - Office for Place - Medium Density Research
The Office for Place is carrying out research exploring the role of medium density housing in meeting the UK’s housing needs in areas of lower land value. It needs your help to understand the current best practice, opportunities and challenges for delivery.
The Office for Place is looking for examples of “medium density” housing developments from across the UK, ideally delivered in the last 6 years, that are demonstrative of good design and placemaking, innovative delivery models and positive partnerships – in areas of marginal viability.
The term ‘medium density’ is not defined in planning policy, but it is generally considered to mean mid-rise housing development, of 3-7 storeys, in the form of apartments, terrace homes, maisonettes or duplexes.
Additionally, this research is seeking greater insight into the challenges, opportunities and wider considerations informing the deliverability of medium density housing in areas of lower land value.
Office for Place - Medium Density Research - Case Study Call Out
Survey - MHCLG - Demolishing, Redeveloping and Retrofitting Buildings
This survey, which takes approximately 10 minutes to complete invites views on national planning legislation, policy and guidance for decisions involving demolishing and redeveloping or retrofitting buildings.
Online Survey
Survey closes 31 October 2024
There has long been discussion about the disparity in the tax regime, with the VAT levied on retrofitting incentivising demolition and rebuild at the cost of the loss of embodied carbon, and damage to the environment and heritage.