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On this much we agree: A shared definition of good placemaking is emerging in policy – it won't be enough

Between the NPPF and the Built Environment Committee, we are edging closer to an agreed definition of a well-designed place and the kind of society we want to live in, writes Christine Murray

Planning for life, not for movement

It’s not that we are bad at planning transport, it’s that we have been planning for the wrong thing, writes Christopher Martin

On this much we agree: A shared definition of good placemaking is emerging in policy – it won't be enough

Between the NPPF and the Built Environment Committee, we are edging closer to an agreed definition of a well-designed place and the kind of society we want to live in, writes Christine Murray

Rother District Council seeks consultant for green and blue infrastructure framework study

Technical evidence will inform the 2025-2042 Local Plan [Deadline 15 April 2026]

Broxtowe Borough Council seeks market feedback on operator for Pencil Works enterprise hub

The £6.2m Pencil Works enterprise hub in Stapleford Town Centre is set to be complete in October 2026 [Deadline 17 April 2026]

London Transport Museum seeks research partner for visitor insight programme

Updates to the museum, retail and catering experiences to be tested across a three-to-five-year period as part of ongoing research [Deadline 10 April 2026]

Shifting the dial for small sites

Despite policy support in principle, small site applications are still subject to lengthy and often unpredictable determination periods, writes Ned Scott

Under fire: Why has Glasgow’s heritage proved so hard to protect?

For many Glaswegians, the burning of Forsyth House illustrates the characteristic neglect of the city by its stewards, writes Charlotte Banks

opportunities

Rother District Council seeks consultant for green and blue infrastructure framework study

Technical evidence will inform the 2025-2042 Local Plan [Deadline 15 April 2026]

Broxtowe Borough Council seeks market feedback on operator for Pencil Works enterprise hub

The £6.2m Pencil Works enterprise hub in Stapleford Town Centre is set to be complete in October 2026 [Deadline 17 April 2026]

London Transport Museum seeks research partner for visitor insight programme

Updates to the museum, retail and catering experiences to be tested across a three-to-five-year period as part of ongoing research [Deadline 10 April 2026]

The Department of Education seek architects and consultants for a Regenerative School Pilot project

The strategy will deliver a series of ultra-low carbon school buildings by March 2027 [Tender publication estimated 17 April 2026]

Wythenshawe Community Housing Group seeks architect for feedback on residential sites

Experienced architectural practice wanted to support on the delivery of high-quality homes [Deadline 7 April 2026]

The Local Government Association and Arts Council England seek consultant to update Cultural Strategy in a Box

The 2024 guide needs updating due to changes to policy, finance and governance, as well as a refresh of best practice case studies [Deadline 3 April 2026]

more opportunities

Search the Place Database for key information on UK places undergoing development

podcasts

Homesick: What happens when London's affordability crisis meets the climate crisis?

Journalist Peter Apps discusses the changing demographics of the capital and how the lack of ...

Participatory building: How community construction takes engagement to a new level

Working in collaboration with charity Global Generation, Jan Kattein Architects has been building ...

Neuroarchitecture: Design for the unconscious mind

Professor Nick Tyler discusses his experiments at UCL’s PEARL laboratory uncovering the hidden ...

Design by AI: Why we need to hack the algorithm

Amid dystopian predictions, the fact that AI tends towards the typical, standard and normative ...

If we want to create inclusive, supportive and safe places, we can't ignore trauma

Olaide Oboh, director of mixed-use developer Socius, speaks about trauma-informed practice and why ...

Purple pounds: Designing for the deaf and disabled

Disability urban strategist Amanprit Arnold speaks about the growing role of technology in ...

more podcasts

films

Family journeys to school: "It's life or death sometimes"

A home to die for? We can do better

"There's a real outdoor community. Everyone joins up and plays"

placetests

Placetest: Park Hill, Sheffield

What is it like to live here – to be part of its history and its future? Anthropologist Dr Muriel ...

Placetest: Folkestone

Investment in the arts, town and Harbour Arm has spearheaded the regeneration of this coastal town ...

Placetest: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Anthropologist Caroline Bennett speaks to locals with photography by John Sturrock

Placetest: New Poundbury

Its Royal patron makes Poundbury the focus of much attention, and the development is not even ...

Placetest: Nine Elms

What is the experience of this nascent place and its people? Anthropologist Caroline Bennett visits ...

Placetest: Liverpool One

In this exclusive placetest, anthropologist Rebecca Toop explores the user experience of ...

Placetest: King's Crescent Estate

Placetest King’s Crescent Estate: A part-demolished estate in Stoke Newington is enjoying an ...

Placetest: MediaCityUK

Placetest MediaCityUK: What is it like to live and work in Peel’s MediaCityUK and has it brought ...

Placetest: King’s Cross

Placetest King’s Cross: How does it work, who is there – and who isn’t? How does the masterplan ...

talks & events

Building archaeology: “When used well, it can actively contribute to better places and better placemaking"

Speakers at Festival of Place Bytesize say the benefits of historic fabric are often overlooked; ...

“Don’t treat soils like dirt” say experts highlighting waste on construction sites

In one teaspoon of soil, there are more living organisms than people on the planet and yet we ...

A brand-new seafront for less than a footballer’s wages

It’s not an easy task to stretch the flood defence grants but with an integrated team, you can get ...

Rain gardens: “It's not just an engineering solution. It's also landscape. It’s biodiversity”

If the street is going to be dug up, then you should get as many positives out of the disruption as ...

Passivhaus social housing: “They don't have to choose between heating and eating”

The health and economic benefits of Passivhaus make it worth the increase in quality control and ...

“It’s about feeling really good.” How social impact is being measured at Brent Cross Town

Brent Cross Town is using the Flourishing Index to demonstrate the cause and effect of placemaking ...

view all talks and events

most popular

Shortlist for The Pineapples 2026 awards announced

The shortlisted teams will present their projects to the judges from 24-26 February with winners announced at the party on 22 April

How the new NPPF puts design back at the heart of planning

What you need to know about the draft NPPF and Planning Practice Guidance before the government consultation ends on 10 March by Hilary Satchwell

NSPCC calls for walkable, low-traffic and car-free streets to safeguard children

Leading charity releases toolkit and calls on built environment to enshrine child safeguarding into the property development cycle

Size matters: Larger parks, longer visits and wildlife spotting improve mental health boost from urban green spaces, study reveals

What you do in the park matters too: Activities such as walking, running, cycling and picknicking can boost wellbeing too, major report reveals

Raising incomes essential to lifting residents out of deprivation says report, but what about affordable homes?

Centre for Cities report shows 80% of most income-deprived postcodes in 2010 were still depressed in 2025 – but some cities bucked the trend. Does that point to inclusive growth or gentrification? Christine Murray

Ruth Glass: Gentrification visionary

Not only was Ruth Glass remarkably ahead of her time in identifying and naming gentrification as a new phenomenon over 60 years ago, her work has continuing relevance in the subsequent social and housing market changes in London and other cities, writes Chris Hamnett

sponsored features

Roker and Seaburn: Breathing new life into Sunderland's stunning coastal landmarks Sponsored by Vestre

Is my project resilient for the future?Sponsored by Hawkins\Brown

Caregivers and young children rarely consulted in community engagement despite representing a third of the population Sponsored by Van Leer Foundation

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