Urban Update 29 November 2024

News and Research

Built Environment 

 How will ai transform urban observing, sensing, imaging, and mapping? - npj Urban Sustainability
This paper discusses how the AI-EO (earth observation) integration can aid urban studies and applications.

• Inputs
• UAVs – unmanned ariel vehicles
• Satellite images
• LiDAR – (Laser detection and rangefinding) surveys of terrain, surfaces and buildings creating 3D models
• Internet of things including ground sensors  (an example is the COSMOS soil moisture monitoring network >>>>)

Outputs include monitoring traffic, changes in land use, air quality, and disaster prevention
 
Uniting imagination and evidence by design to navigate climate survival in urbanizing deltas - npj Ocean Sustainability
Urbanizing river deltas face growing threats from climate change, sea level rise, and extreme weather, exacerbated by urbanization and aging infrastructure. These challenges demand societal and physical transformations for climate adaptation. The Netherlands exemplifies this approach, using imaginative, evidence-based design to reshape the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt delta, effectively mitigating flood risks. Events like the extreme rainfall in July 2021 highlight the success of these efforts. Emphasizing design in climate science and delta management is crucial for envisioning and implementing adaptive strategies globally.
 
Tallinn commits to 15 minute city principles for 2025 >>>>
 

England

New Economics Foundation report finds locked-in car dependency in new development over the past 15 years >>>>
Over the past 15 years, new housing developments in England have increasingly locked residents into car dependency, as shown by the Car Dependency Index (CDI) from the New Economics Foundation. The trend is seen across all regions outside London, with rural and poorly connected urban fringes contributing significantly.

The report is based on an analysis of data from every neighbourhood in England to develop a Car Dependency Index (CDI). The analysis combines data on car ownership, the share of residents commuting to work by car, the relative travel times to jobs and key amenities by car and public transport, and population density

Travel times by public transport from new homes to key amenities (e.g., hospitals, supermarkets, schools) have steadily increased.  Rural new builds take significantly longer to access amenities compared to urban new builds (e.g., 62 minutes vs. 28 minutes to hospitals).

The drivers behind this car-dependent development pattern include: 

• Land value and condition, which favour cheaper greenfield land in a profit-driven housing development system.
• Relatively lower levels of local political opposition to new developments in more remote areas.
• A lack of early, integrated planning of transport, housing, and development sites, reinforced by substantial underfunding of public planning departments.
• Top-down local housing targets that act in combination with the factors above to produce development in the wrong places for sustainable transport.

The consequence is rural house-building, which lacks sufficient public transport connections.  Urban developments are often located on poorly connected town and city fringes.
 
The solutions proposed include:

• Using regional, data-informed planning with community input to locate new developments strategically.
• Integrating transport planning into housing policies, with proper funding for sustainable transport.
• Conditioning grey belt housing developments on robust public transport provision.
• Empowering local governments to purchase land affordably for development.
• Boosting funding and capacity for local authority planning departments.

The full report “Trapped behind the Wheel” is available on this link >>>> 

Just as the 1910s through to the 30s were characterised as the era of Ribbon Development, the 2000s ..2010s..2020s are being characterised as the era of Cowpat Development.... unsustainable, low density, car dependent development randomly scattered across the countryside. 

The UDG earlier in the year published its proposals for Achieving Good Town Form, stressing the need to address the damage caused by the Call for Sites being used as the starting point, rather than using a foundation of strategic urban design that ensures development is optimal and integrated.   To download the report >>>>

Data on Net Housing Additions 2022-23 published >>>>
Annual housing supply in England amounted to 221,070 net additional dwellings in 2023-24, a 6% decrease on 2022-23.
This resulted from 
   198,610 new build homes,
   21,590 gains from change of use between non-domestic and residential
including  6,695 permitted development conversions from office to dwellings
   4,360 from conversions between houses and flats and
   1,900 other gains (caravans, house boats, etc)
   38 permitted development upward extensions of detached commercial/mixed use buildings
   0 permitted development upward extension of residential terrace/detached buildings
offset by 5,390 demolitions.

£3 billion housebuilding schemes to unlock homes and boost growth – GOV.UK
Government guarantees reduce the risk for lenders and encourage them to increase the supply of credit for housebuilders.
Billions of pounds in guarantees for housebuilders are now open for business as part of a new support package confirmed by the Housing Minister today.
 
Bassett man fined and given criminal record for failing to remove 6ft fence built adjoining the highway and contrary to neighbourhood plan >>>>
 
‘Phantom gnome snatcher’ of Formby admits prank almost 50 years on >>>>
The news finally brings closure to a deeply sinister and distressing episode in Formby’s history.  Garden gnomes trace back to European folklore, particularly Germanic and Scandinavian traditions, where similar figures symbolized protection for the home and garden.  The first mass-produced garden gnomes are believed to have been produced in Germany in the 19th century.  They subsequently spread across Europe and beyond.  Academics have analysed how garden gnomes are used in subversive or humorous ways, such as in "Gnome Liberation" movements where gnomes are "rescued" from gardens. 

How service charges in flats spiralled out of control >>>>
An in depth article by the BBC on how service charges have risen by 44 percent over the past 8 years, and 52 percent in London.
It points to loosely worded legislation that requires merely that charges be “reasonable” and work done to a reasonable standard, with little control over managing agents.   In Scotland where leasehold was abolished 20 years ago and replaced by Commonhold, property is managed on behalf of the residents by a “factor”, who must be registered.
 

Schemes

Liverpool Street Station plan still 'unacceptable' >>>>
 
Plans revealed to demolish Derby's Riverside car park and build apartment block >>>>
  
Man's £160k legacy to restore Braunston canal bridge >>>>
 

Humans, Health, Society

Shocking decline in USA life expectancy  The Lancet
Life expectancy at birth for American Indian and Alaskan native people has fallen to below 64 years, and to 68 years for “Black | Rural and low income South”

The study talks about the need for population-level action to tackle:

• Poor diet.
• Insufficient physical activity.
• Drug use.
• Excessive alcohol use.
• High blood pressure.

 
UK Population Statistics ONS Bulletin >>>>
Rather than reading national press, check the original the Office for National Statistics  
 
Ageing, social participation, and everyday mobility – Facilitating age-friendly environments - Journal of Urban Mobility
This study looks at attempts at improving the lives of older people in Trolleborg, involving the creation of a social centre, excursions and an autonomous bus.    The social centre facilitates social participation for older adults through various activities, including weekly events, music performances, and lectures.

• Volunteers play a critical role, managing the reception, organizing activities, and ensuring smooth day-to-day operations, as the activity coordinator oversees two centres.
• Participants value the social aspect more than the activities themselves, seeing the centre as a "living room" and a space for connection and stimulation.
• Excursions offer mobility and social opportunities, enabling older adults to "get out," socialize, and meet new people, fostering a sense of community and well-being.
• The autonomous bus appeared to be successful, though some were sceptical about its ability to navigate streets.
• Combining mobility and social participation enhances accessibility and community well-being.
• Future urban planning should integrate universal design and participatory methods to avoid exclusion.

 
Homelessness and nature: A literature review - Landscape and Urban Planning
This paper reviews over 100 papers on the subject

• Terms used in the papers vary – from “homelessness” to “non-recreational campers”, “rough sleepers”, “people living with no roof’, and “people experiencing homelessness”
• Studies noted ecological effects of homeless encampments, such as water quality issues, but emphasized their smaller scale compared to industrial and residential impacts.
• Homelessness should be viewed within broader social and structural pollution contexts, challenging the narrative of homeless individuals as "contaminants."
• Local authority departments often lack capacity to address the intertwined social and environmental issues.
• Urban policies should balance environmental goals with the rights and health of homeless individuals.

Politics, Philosophy, Economics, History

The Pedestrian Pound makes the economic case for investing in better streets for walking and wheeling. >>>>
This is a literature review of research and case studies on the impact of changing the public realm on individuals, society and local economies.

• 20% greater profit for town centre businesses are recorded when there is a bank and post office present.
• It is estimated that 56p of every £1 community businesses spend stays in the local economy
• 41% of disabled pedestrians consider the UK’s streets to be inaccessible.
• 44 percent of people in Scotland walk to the shops on a daily or several times a week, and the number of deaths averted by walking to work was worth over £600 million a year.
• The introduction of default 20mph limits in Wales is estimated to have saved the Welsh NHS just over £92 million in the first year alone; nearly three times higher than the implementation costs.
• 25% more sales are being recorded in Shrewsbury during weekend pedestrianisation of town centre streets (particularly boosting food and drink sales)
• Sheffield Castlegate: The public realm improvements and overall transformation of the area have created at least 540 jobs and is projected to create more than 1,600 jobs in total. It has also seen a 500%+ increase in biodiversity  (Sheffield Grey to Green initiative)
• A French-style market in Gwydr Square, Swansea, attracts over 3000 people on warm days.

Full Report >>>>
 
 
Visual Experience in a Pompeian Domestic Space: Analysis Using Virtual Reality-Based Eye Tracking and GIS - American Journal of Archaeology
Roman society placed great importance on views and viewing, particularly in the design of villas and houses, as evidenced by archaeological. These studies highlight the ritualistic nature of household activities and suggest that view planning was a key aspect of social identity for homeowners. Traditional analyses focused on static perspectives, but human perception is more dynamic, shaped by movement and light.

Early studies emphasized axial views (Durchblick) but relied on static, freeze-frame analysis. Using virtual reality, eye-tracking, and GIS, this study explores how perception worked when people walked within the House of the Greek Epigrams in Pompeii.  Human perception is dynamic, involving constant movement of the body, head, and eyes.

Findings reveal Roman houses offered dynamic, layered visual experiences, with shifting views influenced by movement and lighting.  Space, movement, and time created interconnected visual journeys, encouraging exploration and memory connections.  Roman houses used light, shadows, and images to guide perception and enhance the spatial experience.

NB –We should all be interested in the views created through the design of buildings, streets through to the scale of towns and cities.   The techniques in this study can be used to improve our understanding of how people view today’s built and natural environment, and how we might improve the way we design.

Natural Environment 

Patches of wildflowers in cities can be just as good for insects as natural meadows – study >>>>
 
Canada AI project hopes to help reverse mass insect extinction >>>>
The project aims to use high-resolution cameras, low-cost sensors and AI models to process data.
 
Bumblebee population increases 116 times over in 'remarkable' Scotland rewilding project >>>>
 
PFAS and microplastics become more toxic when combined, research shows >>>>
 
 

Movement

London Living Streets Meeting Report
London Living Streets meetings are always a good way of finding out about latest grass-roots progress in sustainable movement

Liveable Neighbourhoods - Councillor Rowena Champion gave an impressive and informed account of the programme which has transformed parts of the borough of Islington.   

Footways - David Harrison gave an account of how the project begun by volunteers to create maps of attractive, low-traffic pedestrian routes that offer people alternatives to walking down busy streets has grown from focusing on central London to now starting to cover additional boroughs.  It has also led to a longer distance walk, the 15 mile Green Link Walk which spans five boroughs, links almost 40 areas of green space and a number of waterways via mostly quiet streets, and connects with the Capital Ring, Jubilee Greenway, Jubilee Walk, Lee Valley Walk and the Thames Path.

The new CEO of Living Streets, Catherine Woodhead spoke about the prospect of devolution, and in particular the vexed issue of pavement parking (illegal in London, enforceable elsewhere only if the driver is observed in the act by a police constable)
 
Tower Hamlets mayor taken to judicial review over proposed removal of low-traffic neighbourhoods >>>>

1. Highway Authorities owe a duty to all road users (whether careful or negligent) to use reasonable care in the manner in which they exercise their powers when they create, modify and maintain the highway.  Yetkin v Newham 2010.  Highway authorities are not under a duty to exercise their statutory powers, but if they do, they must not be negligent. If a low traffic neighbourhood should arbitrarily and carelessly removed, then any party that suffered injury or loss would as a consequence, would have good prospects of winning legal actions taken against the council.
2. They are subject to the S149 Public Sector Equality Duty under the Equality Act 2010.  The duty requires “due regard” to be paid to the need to promote equality of opportunity, etc.    “Due regards” is define in common law as… an essential preliminary to a decision necessitating a substantial, vigorous and open minded approach; where consideration is given to measures to avoid adverse impact before fixing on a solution

The judge is expected to give their ruling later in 2025.
 
UK Integrated Transport Strategy Call for Ideas announced >>>>
The Strategy is intended to drive a cultural change where people are put at the heart of how we design, build and operate transport. At its core will be a single national vision for how transport systems should work together, empowering local leaders to deliver integrated local transport that meets the needs of their local community.

Related speech…. ‘People-first’ transport in English towns could be integrated by apps >>>>
 
London’s new Elizabeth’s has dramatically changed rail station usage >>>>
Station arrivals and departures across the UK Rail network show that the Elizabeth line has had a dramatic effect in raising passenger numbers.
 
A Welsh council is consulting on turning a proportion of its roads from 20mph roads to 30mph >>>>
NB - The council owes a duty of care to both careful and negligent road uses (as detailed above in the case of Yetkin v Newham 2010)
 
London bus shelters equipped with CCTV in safety trial to support safer travel >>>>
  
The planning of urban–rural linkages: An automated content analysis of spatial plans adopted by European intermediate cities - Landscape and Urban Planning
 

Energy and Climate Change

Delivering sustainable climate action: reframing the sustainable development goals - npj Climate Action
This paper recommends integrating climate and sustainable development goals, and recognising the specific role of local actors
 
When cities broke into the global stage: 20 years since the publication of ‘Cities and Climate Change’ - Environment and Planning C: Politics and Space
Reflections on the impact of the book.
 
NASA finds that cities in the global south have just 70 percent of the greenery related cooling capacity of cities in the Global North. >>>>
NASA researchers have found that the green spaces in an average Global South city cool the temperature by about 4.5 F (2.5 C). In an average Global North city, that cooling capacity is 6.5 F (3.6 C). This compounds an existing problem: cities in the South tend to be at lower latitudes (that is, nearer to the Equator), which are predicted to see more heat extremes in the coming years.
They found that cities’ average cooling capacity could be increased substantially — to as much as 18 F (10 C) — by systematically increasing green space quantity and quality.
Cities can also increase cooling capacity by creating water bodies, seeding green roofs, and painting roofs or pavement lighter colors to reflect more light.
 
Canada: Conserving just five per cent of watersheds (two per cent of Canada’s land) could shield more than half of urban floodplains, safeguarding millions >>>>
The study by the University of British Columbia identifies areas of wetland and peatland, and forests as critical.  It also warns of the increased flooding that would occur if these types of area are lost.