Urban Update 10 July 2025

Thursday 10 July 2025

News and Research

Built Environment

What is being built in 2025? In search of the station… new report from - Transport for New Homes
This report investigates how far new housing sites are being built around public transport in well designed, walkable places, and what we can do differently to encourage more sustainable transit.

It finds that most new housing estates are car dependent with much space devoted to parking, while lacking modern and easy to use public transport, safe and convenient active travel, and local centres and high streets.

Development integrated into existing urban areas, especially around London, and large urban regeneration schemes were more successful in these aspects. Poundbury was specifically noted as an effective walkable greenfield development.

It recommends

Transit oriented development serving residents from day one occupation
Better locations for new homes that don't require 100 percent car ownership and use
Deliverable masterplans that create delightful walkable spaces
Walkable, Mixed-Use Places: =developments that are walkable, have integrated community facilities, and blend homes with local shops and businesses (e.g., like Poundbury).
Higher Density and Apartments: European-style apartments, offering sufficient population density to support viable public transport, shops, and cafes, while using less land.
Integrated Public Transport: New housing must be coordinated with new or improved transport infrastructure, including stations, frequent bus services, and potentially trams/light rail extending out from cities.
Safe Cycling Networks: A whole-town approach to cycling infrastructure is needed, with safe, segregated cycle lanes connecting new homes to key destinations.

Old Oak Common - the new town being built in London aiming for 25,000 homes and 56,000 new jobs >>>>

London population on course to hit 10 million over the next decade >>>>

England: Government sets out ambitions for a social rent revolution through the new £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme >>>>
The government aims to deliver around 300,000 new social and affordable homes, with at least 60% (around 180,000 homes) designated for social rent. A long-term plan, "Delivering a Decade of Renewal for Social and Affordable Housing," has been published, outlining five key steps:

Boost Grant Funding: Deliver the largest increase in grant funding in a generation.
Rebuild Sector Capacity: Help the housing sector borrow and invest more in new and existing homes.
Stable Regulation: Establish an effective and consistent regulatory system.
Reinvigorate Council Housebuilding: Increase the building of new council homes.
Renewed Partnership: Forge a stronger partnership with the housing sector to build at scale.

"Rayner’s building blitz threatens to break rural Britain" - The Telegraph – Jeremy Clarkson weighs in >>>>
Critics fear "mega-villages," loss of identity, and diminished community due to relaxed green belt protections and increased development pressure overriding local concerns.

The article does not mention the fact that, because of the growth of car-ownership and use, and the mechanisation of agriculture since the 1950s, most villages now function as ultra-low density suburbs of nearby towns, combined with holiday lets and airbnbs. It is thought that as many as 2/3rds of rural homes are occupied by households who have no connection with the rural economy.

The Ramps – a 1970s brutalist 'architectural marvel' near Edinburgh remembered for wrong reasons >>>>

76% of construction businesses struggling to hire skilled workers, putting 1.5m new homes target in doubt- CITB >>>>
According to the latest Construction Workforce Outlook report, in order to meet the 1.5 million homes target, the overall number of extra workers needed for the 2025–2029 period is estimated at 47,860 per year, which is equivalent to 1.8% of the 2024 workforce. This means the UK construction industry needs to recruit the equivalent of 239,300 extra workers over the next five years.

Humans, Health, Society

Building better: Wellness and urban design in Asia –from the Asia Property Awards >>>>

UK’s obesity and overweight epidemic costs £126bn a year (or roughly £2000 per person per annum), NESTA study suggests >>>>
The total figure includes economic costs such as a valuation on suffering, mental health etc. Excluding this, the financial costs, the hard cash costs, are £44.6 billion per annum – through lost output, unemployment, and NHS and Social Care costs. This is around £660 per head per annum or £1570 per household per annum.

The report also tracks the rise in obesity globally,

Irrational and inconsistent attitudes towards food and active travel have emerged, with some political parties and media outlets adopting a “nanny state” stance, advocating a laissez faire approach to food, and opposing environments that encourage active lifestyles, walking and cycling such as through 20mph limits and low traffic neighbourhoods. The laissez faire approach also extends to alcohol consumption but not to drug use. Estimates of the cost of the harm caused by alcohol consumption suggest a figure of around £30bn per annum (including NHS costs, care costs, crime and disorder impact, other social and care costs). Illegal drug use is thought to impose costs of around £20 billion per annum according to Government estimates.

Mental ill health costs society £300 billion every year, according to 2024 Centre for Mental Health economic analysis – Mental Health Network NHS Confederation
This paper assesses the economic and social costs of mental health in England in 2022, focusing on those which are recognised and can be quantified.

It finds that costs have risen by £176.1bn since the 2002 report, from inflation-adjusted £124.2bn to £300.04bn.

These are divided primarily into:

Economic costs (£110bn) through absence, ‘presenteeism’, and worklessness
Human costs (£130bn) in terms of reduced quality of life
Health and care costs (£60bn) in public services, private care, and informal care from family and friends

The report suggests, however, that the bulk of costs do not fall on health care systems, with the cost for the government assessed at £25bn annually, and are instead reflected in decreases in well-being and productivity losses.

The report also covers intangible losses in creativity, innovation, financial mismanagement through short-term thinking, and social trust and cohesion.

Risk from microplastics from paint on underside of glass bottle caps >>>>

Scientists discover bacteria that may provide some protection against PFAS chemicals >>>>
Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances are found in lipstick, waterproofing, non-stick pans, and food packaging. Some types of bacteria found in human intestines have been shown to uptake PFAS and prevent absorption into the body.

New research confirms that neurons continue to form in the adult brain meaning that it retains plasticity >>>>

A youthful brain and immune system may be a key to a long life -more so than avoiding an ageing heart or lungs New Scientist

Do people from different cultures and environments see the world differently? >>>>
“the world we experience is always an active construction, a kind of “controlled hallucination” “ according to the article.

One-stop family hubs to be opened in all English council areas >>>>
The aim is for 1000 “Best Start” family hubs by April 2028 supported by £500million from central Government. The hubs will provide:

Early Childhood & Family Support: Activities for young children (0-5), parenting support, infant feeding, and early language development.
Health & Wellbeing: Health visiting, midwifery/maternity services, mental health, nutrition, oral health, and stop smoking support.
Welfare & Crisis Support: Debt/welfare advice, housing support, domestic abuse help, substance misuse support, and aid for separating parents.
Special Needs & Youth: Support for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and youth services.

Politics, Philosophy, Economics

A broken housing market is driving inequality right across Europe – and fuelling the far right >>>>
This article reflects on the 50 percent increase in house prices in Europe in the 8 years between 2015 and 2023, and includes a map showing house price to earnings ratios across Europe.

Housebuilders offer to pay £100m to avoid legal decision following Competition and Markets Authority Inquiry into anti-competitive sharing of information BBC Guardian
Barratt Redrow, Bellway, Berkeley, Bloor Homes, Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey, and Vistry
The CMA has launched a public consultation on its intention to accept the firms' offer which closes on 24 July >>>>

Past studies have suggested that the largest housebuilders are earning supra-normal profits. A study by the University of Cardiff showed that the largest three returned profits ranging between 17% and 32% per year since 2014, they had used the risk of withholding housing supply to renegotiate contributions to local authorities and win government subsidies. It has been contended that these high profits are not simply due to normal market competition but are influenced by factors such as the market power of the largest firms, their ability to negotiate contributions to local authorities, and benefit from government subsidies (e.g., mortgage market support schemes). There is also the long running distortion of new build being benefiting from Zero-Rate VAT, whereas refurbishment, conversion and adaptation of existing buildings is charged at 20 percent.

The average net profit margin for all businesses in the UK is around 5%, with firms in the non-housing construction sector having returns as low as 1.7 percent.

Housing minister vows to crack down on property management ‘wild west’ >>>>

Leaseholders to get rights to more easily challenge extortionate service charges >>>>

Archaeologists unveil 3,500-year-old city in Peru >>>>

Equitable Development in Theory and Practice: Evolution, Definitions, Frameworks, and Tools - Journal of Planning Literature
According to the paper, the idea of Equitable Development, which grew from civil rights and environmental movements, doesn't have a clear definition. Experts disagree on whether it's about fair processes or fair results, and how big an area it should cover. A definition is suggested: Equitable development is a fair way to grow, focusing on justice. It's a process where marginalized communities have a say, resources are shared, and barriers are removed. It's also an outcome that improves lives, tackles unfairness, and prevents people from being pushed out.

The paper critiques the research base. While many studies describe unfair differences, very few actually check if "equitable development" programs work, especially for specific places. This means local planners often don't have solid proof for their efforts. Improvements for future research are proposed

Studies should look at specific local factors, how different programs work together, and if there are any negative side effects (like people being forced to move).
Researchers should compare results from different cities and countries to see what really helps.
Experts from various fields should work together to agree on definitions and build stronger evidence.

Natural Environment

England: New Water (Special Measures) Act measures come into force >>>>

Pollution Incident Reduction Plans (PIRPs): Companies must now annually publish plans by April 1st, detailing how they will identify, respond to, and reduce sewage pollution.
Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) Consideration: Water companies are also legally required to explain how they will use nature-based solutions (like wetlands or vegetated buffers) within their Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans (DWMPs).

Genetic evidence suggests ash trees are evolving to cope with ash dieback fungus >>>>
Unfortunately there are around 100 million mature ash trees in the UK, relatively few of which are resistant. It will probably take around a century for the population to recover. Elm trees were largely eradicated by Dutch Elm disease half a century ago. There has been no recovery.

Pot-plant trade is ‘hitchhiker pathway’ for invasive flatworms, say UK experts >>>>
It is unclear whether there are any effective biosecurity measures in place anywhere.

Chlorothalonil - common farm fungicide may be contributing to 'insect apocalypse' >>>>

Movement

Moving towards gender-sensitive urban mobility planning: Unpacking the role of knowledge - Urban Studies
Urban mobility planning often fails to consider gender, despite extensive research on gendered travel patterns, hindering the creation of inclusive cities. This insensitivity stems from how knowledge in mobility planning is produced and used: movement data often lacks detail about the gender of users, and the dominance of numeric analysis rather than using qualitative research that actually tries to understand how people live their lives.

Think "Shared Journeys," Not Just Individual Trips: We need to stop planning for just one person's quick commute. Instead, think about how people move together, help each other, and rely on each other to get around.
Focus on Care and Community: Our cities should be built for "caring people," recognizing that many journeys involve looking after others (like taking kids to school or helping elderly relatives).
Listen to Everyone's Experiences: The people planning our cities need to truly listen to women, disabled people, and other often-ignored groups. Their everyday experiences are vital for understanding how mobility really works.
Learn from Everywhere: Don't just look at big Western cities for ideas. We should learn from how people get around in places all over the world, especially in the "Global South," to get fresh ideas.
Don’t only rely on numbers as a source of information: Planners need to use different ways of gathering information – not just numbers, but also stories, pictures, and personal reflections – and talk more with experts from other fields to truly understand people's lives.

The social life of the sidewalk: tracing the mobility experiences of youth in Westlake, Los Angeles - Mobilities
Seeking to apply research from the field of children’s mobilities to that of transportation, this study engaged with 28 youth participants, aged 11-15, focusing on their experiences of the journey from school to after school activities. It shows how the participants developed familiar and efficient routes alongside an affection for aspects of the neighbourhood including favourite landmarks and buildings, but also how they adapted to negative elements including poorly maintained sidewalks, which were explicitly linked to structural inequalities. It finds that the participants particularly value the social aspects of walking as an important means to connect with everyday life in the city and with one another.
The study offers 5 recommendations to support youth mobility:

Look after both the social and physical determinants of safety
Reinforce, direct, public paths that efficiently link destinations
Repair links between islands of safe, enjoyable spaces
Support the social life of the sidewalk
Demonstrate care for people and place

Barriers, Adoption, and Use of a Bike-Sharing System: A Market-Segment Approach to Current and Potential Users in Montréal, Canada - Transportation Research Record

Some areas are underserved
Poorer potential users have issues with membership of the scheme and cost of use.
Younger people would benefit from improving mobile technology

HS2 | Construction of bat shed with all associated civils work will cost over £200M >>>>

National active travel network to be created in England >>>>

Create a National Active Travel Network: Department for Transport, Active Travel England, and local authorities to establish a country-wide network for safe and easy walking, wheeling, and cycling.
Enhance Local Access: providing 20 million regional residents have access to high-quality, safe routes within their communities.
Transform School Travel: with high-quality, safer routes in neighbourhoods nationwide to improve the school run.
Boost Integrated Transport: Provide easy walking, wheeling, and cycling access to public transport (buses, trams, trains) to link with new housing and support local economic growth.

Central government will be contributing around £900million over the next four years. Past estimates have suggested a figure of around £30 billion would be needed to provide the majority of urban areas with 20mph limits, low traffic neighbourhoods and high-quality cycle routes. Research by the Transport Research Laboratory points to a financial rate of return on traffic calmed 20mph streets at around 40 percent per annum, through reduced damage to vehicles and property, NHS and social care costs, and fewer work days lost.

London Healthy Streets Scorecard: Newham council praised as percentage of streets covered by 20mph limits increases from 41 percent to 99 percent >>>>

England’s Chief medical officer makes case for active travel at York Conference >>>>