Urban Update 13 December 2025

Friday 13 December 2024

Two proposals on Good Town Form from the Urban Design Group

Tackle the problem of homes without infrastructure and save precious land and countryside from badly planned development

The UK is being damaged by a wave of new development built in unsustainable locations, which lack the infrastructure and community facilities that people need to live sustainably. Proposals on how to solve the problems are set out in two papers produced by an expert group of urban designers and built environment professionals convened by the Urban Design Group, the UK’s membership charity dedicated to improving the design of cities, towns and villages.

Currently, local plans are dominated by developers and landowners responding to "calls for sites" from local authorities: an invitation to them to submit sites they would like to be developed. This often results in a wide scatter of development sites, leading to housing being built in places that can only be accessed by cars. This increases congestion and the need for major roadbuilding and larger car parks which wastes land and leads to even further loss of countryside. Time and again these housing developments lack the critical infrastructure and facilities necessary for the population to live healthy and positive lives: shops, GP surgeries, workplaces, schools, leisure facilities, and greenspace.

The recommendations in the papers are to:

1. Base local plans on a vision for each town, agreed with each community

Step 1 Understand the character of the town, constraints and opportunities

Step 2 Develop an agreed vision with the community for the future of the town, exploring the options for growth and improvement

Step 3 . Only then issue the call for sites, consulting developers and landowners on the availability of land.

This is possible under existing planning legislation and policy.

2. Plan, fund and deliver the infrastructure and community facilities needed to create sustainable and thriving communities: schools, healthcare facilities, public transport, shops, leisure facilities and green spaces.

Strengthen National Planning Policy to ensure good local planning: Enable planning authorities to refuse speculative developments, giving them time to create strategic plans and policies.
Plan for the long-term - plans need to cover a wide-enough area and a sufficiently long timescale (up to 50 years) to allow funding to be pooled and coordinated to enable coordinated funding and provision of high-quality infrastructure and community facilities.
Land Assembly Reform: Empower local authorities to assemble land earlier in the planning process, and provide forward funding for infrastructure delivery
Strategic Utilities Planning: Plan critical services like energy and water at a regional level, ensuring they are delivered alongside housing.
Parallel Delivery: Ensure highway improvements, public transport, and active travel routes are developed in tandem with housing to provide residents with sustainable travel options.
Create Public-private partnerships and development corporations to take a lead role in the planning and delivery of infrastructure and facilities.
Temporary Facilities: provide community facilities, shops, and health services within the first two years of development, transitioning to permanent facilities as communities grow.

The government has pledged to remove the barriers to unleash unprecedented house building. Building 3 million homes over a 10 year period, at current densities – (allowing for distributor roads and margins, parking areas, shops, schools, etc and employment sites providing for one job per household) – could require an area the size of Surrey. The approach outlined would save a significant portion of this land.

“The government has made commitments to meet the housing crisis and deliver a substantial number of new homes. New towns as well as expansions to existing towns will have to be part of the solution. For many years, the UDG has been campaigning for a proactive plan-led approach to growth. Only if we focus on early infrastructure delivery and locate growth in the right places at the right densities will we be able to meet the long-term needs of future generations." Katja Stille, former Chair, UDG

“The present will judge us on numbers but future generations will judge us on quality.” Roger Evans, Patron, UDG

Download the paper 1 : Achieving good town form – Strategic Urban Design.pdf Download Illustrations
The paper shows how strategic urban design can be incorporated into the stages of the existing local plan preparation process in five simple steps.

Download Paper 2 : Achieving good town form - A call for strategic infrastructure delivery.pdf

England - Changes to the Planning System

National Planning Policy Framework Revised Published

According to the housing minister, this is the big change, with a relatively small change to occur next year when the "National Development Management Policies" are published.

NPPF 2023 and 2024 compared

Below is a composite document which shows the changes between the 2023 and 2024 editions of the NPPF
National Planning Policy Framework 2023-24 Compared.pdf

Key changes...

Planning legislation gives the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government powers to issue planning guidance, and places planning authorities under a duty to follow that guidance. However no such powers or duties apply to highways and highway authorities. So the footnote in the NPPF "48 Policies and decisions should not make use of or reflect the former Design Bulletin 32, which was withdrawn in 2007" has no bearing on highway authorities, and has been unheeded especially in county areas.

The section structure remains the same. Changes to the text include:

"Beauty" has been removed as an objective
in determining planning applications "where there are no relevant development plan policies, or the policies which are most important for determining the application are out-of-date, granting permission unless"....any adverse impacts of doing so would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when assessed against the policies in this Framework taken as a whole., having particular regard to key policies for directing development to sustainable locations, making effective use of land, securing well-designed places and providing affordable homes, individually or in combination
requirements on strategic planning and coordination between planning authorities are strengthened, (although some of this is a requirement in primary legislation)
affordable housing is covered
vision-led transport statements are mentioned
well-designed upward extensions are promoted. This goes beyond the mansard roof reference in the 2023 NPPF
there continues to be encouragement to "take a proactive role in identifying and helping to bring forward land that may be suitable for meeting development needs" Including facilitating land assembly and where necessary using CPO powers.
Green Belt - there are several additional sections through150-160 including the "Golden Rules" eg...
- "Where major development involving the provision of housing is proposed on land released from the Green Belt through plan preparation or review58, or on sites in the Green Belt subject to a planning application59, the following contributions (‘Golden Rules’) should be made:
  a. affordable housing which reflects either: (i) development plan policies produced in accordance with paragraphs 67-68 of this Framework; or (ii) until such policies are in place, the policy set out in paragraph 157 below;
  b. necessary improvements to local or national infrastructure; and
- c. the provision of new, or improvements to existing, green spaces that are accessible to the public. New residents should be able to access good quality green spaces within a short walk of their home, whether through onsite provision or through access to offsite spaces.
supporting the transition to Net Zero by 2050 is identified as a specific target in the guidance whereas before it was merely a "low carbon future"
Sustainable drainage systems are mentioned for use in vulnerable areas.

Proposals put forward to change the way planning applications are determined in England

This working paper presents three proposals to streamline the planning system. The principal focus here is to

increase certainty over how an application will be assessed
reduce delays and costs
- when applications compliant with a local plan or those for post-permission matters still go through a planning committee rather than being delegated to planning officers
- when applications rejected by a planning committee are successfully appealed.

The three proposals consist of:

1. A national scheme of delegation determining which applications are decided by officers and which by committees, envisaged in four different forms:

Option 1 – Delegation where an application complies with development plan
- It is left for the local planning authority to determine only whether non-compliant plans should be delegated to officers.
Option 2 – Delegation as default with exceptions for departures from the development plan
- All applications to be delegated to officers unless
  - the application is a departure from the development plan and is recommended by officers for approval
  - the application has been submitted by the local planning authority, its members or officers.
Option 3 – Delegation as default with a prescriptive list of exceptions
- Irrespective of development plan, all applications to be delegated to officers unless meeting specific criteria, for example “subject to over a specified number of objections”.
- Option 4 – hybrid approach combining elements of the different options

2. Dedicated committees for strategic development – allowing a small group of councillors to maintain engagement with the most significant projects.

3. Training for committee members - requiring that councillors undertake appropriate training before they can form part of a planning committee.

To View the Government consultation paper >>>>

Reflections ..... the proposals for delegation hinge on the quality of local plans. Not only do most local authorities lack up to date plans, they even lack audited accounts. As of March 2024, 110 local planning authorities—a third of the total—had adopted a local plan in the past five years, while 291 had plans that were more than five years old. (Source Hansard). The reality is that few local people understand or engage in the local plan process.

In relation to Local authority accounts, the National Audit Office reported last month that owing to severe delays in audits, just over 10% (43) of England’s 426 local authorities submitted reliable data to the "Whole of Government Accounts". Of the near 90% of local authorities that failed to submit reliable data, 46% (196) submitted information that had not been audited, and 44% (187) did not submit any data at all.

Housing Delivery Test measurement rule book published

>>>>
The Housing Delivery Test is an annual measurement of housing delivery in the area of relevant plan-making authorities. This document details how it is to be carried out.

Built Environment

Using trees to cool cities - how the effectiveness is determined by background climate, urban morphology, and tree trait - Communications Earth & Environment
This research project analyzed 182 studies across 110 global cities to assess tree cooling effects.Trees can significantly reduce urban heat stress, but their effectiveness varies based on location, climate, urban morphology and tree type.

Hot-dry-sunny climates – the main effect is through shading and evapo-transpiration. Shading reduces the amount of sunlight reaching the ground. However if temperatures become very hot, the stomata on the leaves close to prevent water loss; and this reduces the cooling effect.
Humid climates – transpirational cooling will obviously be lower owing to the already high humidity levels.
Urban form/morphology….. using “Sky View Factor” (SVF = 1 for a flat featureless field; SVF=0 for a fully enclosed space) where there is a low sky view factor excessive tree planting can trap warm, humid air below the tree canopy. Where there is a higher Sky View Factor which means a more visible open sky, there is greater tree cooling potential: planting trees can increase overall shading, and the greater spacing between buildings allows for better air circulation and heat loss at night.
Tree type – leaf area index and leaf area density can be used to describe and categorise trees. A deciduous tree can block 90 percent of the sunlight when in leaf, reducing to around 50 percent when the branches are bare. The thicker, waxier leaves of evergreen trees lead to reduced transpirational cooling.

Key Advice

Right Tree, Right Place:
- Consider tree species' climate suitability, growth requirements, and urban morphology.
- A mix of deciduous and evergreen trees can provide optimal cooling in various climates.
- Tree height, leaf area, and stomatal resistance influence cooling effectiveness.
Urban Morphology and Tree Placement:
- Tree placement should align with urban form and climate zone.
- Tree density and canopy cover can enhance cooling but should be balanced with ventilation.
- Integrated greenery, including rooftop and vertical gardens, can provide additional cooling benefits.
Climate and Tree Cooling:
- Background climate conditions, especially temperature and humidity, significantly influence tree cooling.
- Trees in hot and dry climates can provide substantial cooling through transpiration and shading.
- However, extreme heat and drought can reduce tree cooling effectiveness.
Future Considerations:
- Consider the long-term benefits of tree planting, as mature trees provide optimal cooling.
- Combine tree planting with other cooling strategies like green roofs and reflective surfaces.
- Utilize multi-scale modeling to better understand the impact of trees on urban heat islands.
- Consider the broader environmental benefits of urban trees, such as air quality improvement and biodiversity.

Public preferences for street tree characteristics: A best-worst scaling experiment - Urban Forestry & Urban Greening
Many cities are planting more trees on streets to improve the environment. However people are rarely asked what kind of trees they want. This study by researchers in Australia and Germany used a special survey method to ask people in Perth, Australia about 16 different tree features.
People prefer trees that:

Support wildlife
Can survive dry weather
Look good
Need little care
Are native to the area

People care less about:

How big or fast-growing the tree is
Whether the tree has historical significance

Specific concerns regarding street trees that may lead to public opposition include: requirements to clean-up tree debris (i.e., leaves, nuts and fruit); potential damage to roads, sidewalks, and other infrastructure; fear of falling branches; issues with shade interfering with solar panels; resistance to views being blocked; issues with allergens.
Caveats: people have different needs and wants. It would be foolish to provide just one type of environment that reflects people’s average wants. A range of different environments should be provided. See the research by Bridget Snaith which identified different preferences according to socio-economic and ethnic identity >>>>

From the perspective of children and parents: What makes communal open spaces in multi-story residential neighbourhoods child-friendly? - Cities
Many children now live in apartments in cities, but little is known about what makes good outdoor spaces for children in these buildings. This study by researchers in Iran and Australia asked children and parents in Iran about what they like in outdoor spaces.
The four most important things were:

Nature
Flexible spaces
Social areas
Safety

Children like:

Water play
Different types of play equipment
Natural areas
Shelters and soft ground

Parents like:

Sports fields

Housing developers fail to deliver their ecological commitments – according to report “Lost Nature”>>>>
According to the report, only half of the ecological enhancements (53%) that had been promised in planning were there on the ground. In many cases, developers or their contractors had not put in the ecological features they promised. In some instances poor landscaping and maintenance practices had destroyed an ecological feature.

The distribution of compliance varied wildly: the least compliant site scored 0%, while the best scored 95%.

Schemes

Tadcaster flood protection scheme open to public views >>>>

Otterpool: Plans for Kent garden town may be brought forward >>>>

Athens’ Urban Regeneration: The Ellinikon Development Takes Shape in Greece >>>>

Shops planned for historic Leeds railway arches >>>>

Coventry University students create sculpture out of demolished city car park >>>>

Politics, Philosophy, Economics, History

Politicians’ ‘inflammatory language’ part of failure to tackle extremism, UK report finds Press coverage >>>> Download >>>>
This report by Dame Sarah Kahn, reflects on social, ethnic and religious division, political polarisation between the left and the right, a lack of trust in politicians, a lack of trust in neighbours and the dehumanization of women.

The report warns that there was no meaningful strategy post-pandemic that sought to address declining social cohesion indicators, or counter growing societal threats experienced by local areas.

Research undertaken in 2023 by Kings College, London found that around one third of the public say that following conspiracy theories promoted by “alternative news sources” are either probably or definitely true:

So-called “15-minute cities” are an attempt by governments to restrict people’s personal freedom and keep them under surveillance (33%).
The cost of living crisis is a government plot to control the public (33%).
The “great replacement theory” – the idea that white Americans and Europeans are being replaced by non-white immigrants – is happening (32%).
The “Great Reset” announced by the World Economic Forum during the Covid-19 pandemic is a conspiracy to impose a totalitarian world government (29%).

Inflammatory language in the built environment domain includes phrases such as the “war on motorists” – a term used by press, politicians and at least one prime minister in relation to 20mph speed limits, LTNs, and emission control zones. Globally, in 2023 around 1.1 million people are thought to have been killed in vehicle collisions, compared with 500,000 homicides, under 200,000 in warfare, and 10,000 through terrorism.

It is imperative that anyone involved in urban design does their utmost to create environments that help to bring people closer together.

One in five shop purchases now made in cash >>>>
Given that so many banks have closed, it is baffling where people are getting their cash from. In the UK around 6,000 bank branches (3/5ths of the total network) are thought to have closed since 2015 according to analysis by the Financial Times.

High Street Rental Auctions: councils get new powers to auction off leases on long-term empty commercial properties– GOV.UK
Local authorities will be able to auction off leases for commercial properties that have been empty for long periods, helping bring business back to the high street and drive growth across the country.

Energy, Climate Change

Potential for Natural ventilation in historic buildings to reduce mechanical system use, save energy and create healthier indoor environments >>>>
This is an interesting study which examines different forms of ventilation, including:

Cross ventilation, opening windows on opposite sides of the building to improve airflow and regulate indoor temperature
Stack ventilation, using temperature differences to drive airflow, with warm air rising and exiting through high openings while cooler air enters through lower openings
Night flush ventilation, using cooler nighttime air to ventilate and remove heat from a building, reducing the need for mechanical cooling during the day

Findings include:

Existing shading devices can effectively reduce indoor temperatures and cooling loads while minimally increasing relative humidity
Large windows lead to higher temperatures but improve air circulation, resulting in lower relative humidity
High ceilings generally lower indoor temperatures, but their impact varies with outdoor temperatures
Replacing wood with high thermal mass materials, like limestone or brick reduces temperature and enhances thermal comfort

Humans, Health, Society

The Impact of Urban art on Wellbeing: A Laboratory Study - Empirical Studies of the Arts
This is a laboratory study where participants watched videos simulating an interaction with a parking-lot-sized intervention decorated with art, greenery (active control), or nothing (conventional control) in an urban setting.
Participants' anxiety, stress, and mood were measured before and after each interaction.

positive mood decreased for both greenery and the no change setting,
art intervention stabilized positive mood, unlike the control groups.

See figure 1 in the paper to see what the interventions.

Caveats: Previous research has shown that people respond to videos/images in a way that is different to the real world.

History

Edinburgh, Scotland 1930s - AI restored and colourised film - Youtube
The film shows pedestrians happily walking into the carriageway mingling among with the traffic, unlike today. Look out for a woman climbing steps in the Old Toun, carrying a wicker basket on her back while knitting (as opposed to using smartphone). Advisories: three-year-old boy picking nose.

Movement

Bike network planning in limited urban space - Transportation Research Part B: Methodological
Lack of cycling infrastructure hinders bike adoption for commuting. Bike network planning is complex and often overlooks car lane repurposing. This paper looks at a programming approach to optimize the trade-off between bike and car networks aiming to optimise journey times for all modes .
The approach aims for "Pareto optimality" (Pareto was an economist and Pareto optimality is an economic state where resources cannot be reallocated to make one individual better off without making at least one individual worse off.) Pareto optimality means in this instance reaching a situation where it is impossible to make anyone better off in terms of shorter journey times, without making others worse off in terms of longer journey times.

The modelling looks at different options for providing cycle lanes, introducing one way streets for vehicles etc. Worked examples are provided.

It should be noted that the method looks principally at travel time, and omitting a detailed appraisal of other outcomes such as safety, noise, air quality etc. One way streets can lead increased speeds and accidents with greater severity. They may be less safe for pedestrians, especially in areas with high traffic volume.

A tale of two aging nations: How do different types of urban design impact upon older adults’ mobility in automobile versus transit based societies? – Travel Behaviour and Society
This research compared the travel behaviour of older adults in the US and Japan to understand the impact of urban design on their mobility.
Key Findings:

Tokyo: Older adults in Tokyo, with its dense, transit-oriented urban design, were more likely to:
- Walk and use public transit.
- Engage in social, shopping, and recreational activities.
- Have shorter travel times.
US: Older adults in the US, with its car-dependent culture, were more reliant on cars:
- Car ownership and driving habits were significant factors in their mobility.
- Urban design had a moderate impact on their travel behaviour. Localised compact built environments did relatively little to change travel habits given the high level of automobile dependence generally.

Implications:

Compact, transit-oriented cities can enhance the mobility and well-being of older adults.
Car-dependent cities may need to rely on innovative technologies like ride-hailing and autonomous vehicles to support older adults' mobility.

Oxfordshire County Council slammed for raiding active travel funds to build “unnecessary, damaging” new road in small town >>>>