Iain Mulvey explores a German local authority's proactive approach to residential development, where a public development company directly builds housing, captures developer profits, and borrows private sector money. He examines whether this model, which prioritizes community needs and sustainability, could offer solutions to the UK's housing challenges.

Richard Gawthorpe of Local Partnerships explores how public sector organizations can reimagine urban asset management to unlock value from their estates, focusing on collaborative working, data-driven strategies, and aligning property functions with service delivery.

Mark Topping of Lanpro Services explores the successes and challenges of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) regulations, which became mandatory for major developments in February 2024. He discusses its impact on the development sector, the use of the Defra biodiversity metric, and how BNG can align with new Green Belt release policies to foster greener, healthier developments.

Sarah Butler of Drees & Sommer UK presents a case study on Manchester City Council's ambitious decarbonisation program for its residential and corporate estates. This article explores the strategies, challenges, and innovative approaches, including AI and GIS analysis, used to achieve net zero targets, reduce fuel poverty, and improve residents' quality of life.

The UK's climate is changing rapidly, which presents significant challenges for public sector buildings. This article explores the vulnerability of these assets and the urgent need to adapt them to withstand the impacts of a changing climate.

As Chair of the Historic Places Panel, Benjamin Derbyshire shares insights into the panel's work to revitalise historic towns and high streets across the UK. He argues that people and community engagement are the "well-spring for recreating faltering places."

This blog post explores how Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and biophilic design can be applied to healthcare facilities, using a case study from a Welsh project. It highlights the benefits for patient recovery, staff wellbeing, and the environment, demonstrating that even small-scale initiatives can have a significant positive impact.

This article examines the government's proposals to strengthen local authorities' Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) powers, with the aim of delivering more affordable housing.

Planning is about the future, yet consultations often fail to engage young people who have the greatest stake in it. This article explores how ambitious plans for cities like Cambridge can shift the balance toward younger voices through innovative consultation methods.

Dr. Rory Moan’s lecture challenges us to re-evaluate the purpose and design of the built environment. He argues for a shift away from a top-down, "master-planning" approach to one that is more organic, resilient, and responsive to the needs of local communities and sustainable development.

A panel of young talent from Fieldfisher and Lambert Smith Hampton, chaired by Antony Phillips, provided a CPD session at the ACES Annual Meeting. The discussion covered the pressing challenges in the affordable housing market, key market drivers affecting development viability, and the complexities of site assembly.