What is Placemaking

02/05/2018

When planning and designing any strategic scheme you will have most likely come across the phrase ‘Placemaking’. So what is placemaking and is it really fully understood by those using it?

Urban Planning is a long established field which has been addressed over the years by different cultures in many different ways throughout history. Placemaking on the other hand is a relatively new element added into the mix of this complex subject; or at least a way of describing an area of the process. Placemaking aims to be a holistic approach to the planning, design and management of public spaces. It is concerned not only with the spaces within our communities but how humans interact within them. It began to gain traction in the 1960s when theorists and writers, mainly in America, began to call for a greater consideration of the individual’s experience of the built environment. One of the main books at the time written by New Yorker, William Whyte, ‘The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces’ (1980) publishes his findings and sets out a series of steps to design what was thought to be an effective public space.

Current practice in placemaking can make it hard to define as it is interpreted and described differently by the different groups involved with the practice of it. It can be seen by some as a process and by others as more of a philosophy; in reality and to live up to the phrases full potential it is a mix of both. When approaching any design working from first principles is essential. Groups and individuals all have their own ideals of how schemes should be designed but if they are not approaching the design from first principles then the foundations with which the ideas are built upon will fail to hold up.

It is extremely difficult to judge a design from the outset or measure the success of placemaking as it lacks a precise definition and as is the case with any creative process it is subjective. There are numerous ways to build lasting, liveable communities and a uniqueness to local identity is important. Placemaking has truly been achieved when the space in the public realm impacts human experience and consciousness in a positive and beneficial manner. Great places are destinations that are people-centred, vibrant and interesting.

Photo: shotinraww

Swindon Property In High Demand

24/04/2018

Emoov’s National Property Hotspot Index has ranked Swindon Property as the most in-demand, making it the most sought after area in the UK. Emoov’s index is the longest running index of its kind and is based on property demand levels rather than house price growth. The index looks at what demand there is for property in the UK across all of the major property portals. It does this by looking at what areas have had the most properties sold rather than just being for sale. To read Emoov’s full report click here: https://www.emoov.co.uk/news/2018/04/19/emoovs-national-property-hotspots-index-q1-2018/

Spring Statement 2018

23/03/2018

The Chancellor presented his first Spring Statement to Parliament earlier this month which follows on from the Autumn Budget 2017 setting the ambitious plan to tackle the UK’s housing challenge and build the homes the country desperately needs. Here’s a summary of what it included for housing in the UK.

The investment programme announced at the Autumn Budget 2017 set a figure of at least £44 billion over the next five years to put the UK on track to raise the supply of homes. The Government’s target is to reach a supply of 300,000 new homes a year on average by the mid-2020s. The Spring Statement 2018 confirmed that this was in motion. It was stated that the Government is working with 44 areas on their bids into the £4.1 billion Housing Infrastructure Fund to help ensure homes have what is required to get them started. They also confirmed that the Housing Growth Partnership fund will be more than doubled to £220 million and London will receive £1.67 billion to start building a further 27,000 of the capitals affordable homes. The process for improving transport in English cities is confirmed to be making good progress with the Government taking bids from cities across England for the reaming £840 million of the £1.7 billion allocation announced in the Autumn Budget 2017.

The Letwin Review of build-out rates was not published alongside the Spring Statement and instead a four-page letter offering an interim update on the work inquiry, focusing on what is happening on large sites operated by large house builders. The anticipate draft document will follow by end of June.

To read more on this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/more-support-to-boost-house-building-momentum

Rising UK Population Impact on Housing

09/03/2018

The UK population is projected to increase by 3.6 million (5.5%) over the next 10 years. This is from an estimated 65.6 million in mid-2016 to 69.2 million in mid-2026. The rising UK population is only set to grow further form there with a projection to pass 70 million by mid-2029 and be past 72.9 million by mid-2041 (ONS).

What does this mean for the UK’s housing and where will this growing population live? With the long standing housing crisis and shortage of supply the UK needs to increase the number of houses being built each year. The number of households set to rise is greater than the population rise due to the growth of single occupancy households. To deal with this we are likely to see an increased building on greenbelt land and further expansion of the urban jungles into the surrounding countryside as has always been the case throughout history. More housing is necessary to cater for this long term growth and reduce prices by ensuring the supply keeps up with demand. If this supply of housing fails to stay in line with or outpace the demand it will inevitably increase the cost of living for the population. With the correct approach to the planning process well designed and efficient use of land can be achieved.

The Housing Charity Shelter estimates that the UK needs a minimum of 250,000 new homes a year. The figures released at the end of last year show that there were 217,350 additional dwellings for 2016-17, up 27,700 on the year before; although an increase the UK is still falling short in meeting its housing needs for the growing population.

Number of New Homes in UK Must Increase

21/02/2018

The number of new homes being built each year in the UK needs to see a significant increase in order to meet the demands of its growing population. According to the Times article research published by Goodbody Stockbrokers has found that a trebling of output is required over the coming years. Read the full article here: http://bit.ly/2CzU5Jq

Construction Tech Trends 2018

15/01/2018

With 2018 well under way Capital Land Property Group and it’s subsidiary Capital Land Research and Development are looking forward to what tech trends the industry could and will see this year. Here is a short video by The B1M on some of these: https://youtu.be/DuTo1l6W4Hw  

Photo by Kaleb Kendall