The ‘Place Building – Developing Homes & Communities’ report advocates a shift from short-term housing targets to long-term placemaking, highlighting that, by aligning policy incentives with on-the-ground innovation and community insight, the built environment sector can transition from fragmented, short-term housing delivery towards a true place-building approach, leaving a legacy of lasting communities across the UK.
Welcoming the report, Ashley Wheaton, Vice Chancellor of the University of the Built Environment, said:
“The built environment sector must shift focus – from simply building houses to creating thriving places. This report shows that by committing to long-term placemaking, engaging communities and embracing innovation, we can tackle the housing crisis in a way that delivers lasting social value. We are proud to work with partners across the industry to champion these principles and ensure that what we build today will benefit future generations of residents.”
Dr Wei Yang OBE, Immediate Past Chair of the Construction Industry Council (CIC), commented:
“The ‘Place Building – Developing Homes & Communities’ event reinforced the urgent need for a strategic, joined-up approach to sustainable place making. To create communities that truly thrive for generations, we must integrate spatial planning, design innovation and cross-sector collaboration rather than working in silos. By embracing digitally empowered spatial planning, we can deliver resilient, inclusive communities that meet present needs while anticipating future challenges.”
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