New Government: What Is Next For The Built Environment Sector?
It has been an eventful summer for the UK, with England reaching the Euros final, Team GB winning 65 medals at the Olympics, and welcoming a new government after an exciting General Election.
While the summer of sports might not have a major impact on the built environment sector, the new government certainly will. With a new government, we expect change - and big changes seem to be ahead. The Labour Government’s manifesto, ‘Change,’ outlines its ambitious plans, including a commitment to build 1.5 million new homes over the next parliament. These plans are set to significantly impact our sector.
We reached out to 4 industry experts for their hopes and expectations for the sector from the new Labour government:
- Charlotte Dove Bowen, Private Sector Engagement Specialist at Commonplace
- Olly Deed, Managing Director at E.C.F
- Tim Ashwin, Company Director of Tim Ashwin Consulting
- Natascha McIntyre-Hall, Director & Head of Regeneration at Gleeds
In this blog, we will explore three key themes gathered from their responses and discuss the future outlook of the built environment sector in the UK.
Source: Unsplash
What do we want from the new government?
Expectations are high for the new Labour government, and the excitement is strong. Housing, sustainability, and social impact stood out as key themes.
Housing - Boosting Supply
“If they are going to meet their ambitious housing targets, the government will need to mobilise the public sector and get local authorities building again. This is the only way the sort of scale they have talked about can be built.”
Olly Deed stresses that successful collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential to involving local communities in shaping new developments and ensuring they reap the benefits of growth.
Charlotte Dove Bowen notes emphasising the need for significant investment in affordable housing. She highlights the importance of supporting both social housing and providing accessible options for first-time buyers and low-income families. Charlotte also advocates for modern construction methods, such as modular and prefabricated homes, to accelerate housing delivery while reducing costs and construction times.
Sustainability - Building a Green UK
“Sustainability must be the cornerstone of the government’s agenda.”
The Labour Government has pledged to transform Britain into a clean energy superpower. Charlotte states the need for stricter green building standards and retrofitting existing structures to enhance energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.
Tim Ashwin agrees with Charlotte. He advocates for a bold, consistent strategy from the new government, one that prioritises healthy, sustainable living. He insists that new housing developments must be coordinated with infrastructure improvements, particularly in transport, to create walkable, liveable neighbourhoods with robust public transit systems.
Social Impact - Diversity and Inclusivity
“Generally my motto of what I try and achieve and what I hope they do too is ‘improve places for people’.”
Natascha McIntyre-Hall highlights the importance of taking decisive action to drive meaningful change. She advocates for the creation of vibrant communities with well-utilised spaces that celebrate diversity. She also stresses the need to incorporate emerging technologies and prioritise wellbeing, shifting the focus beyond just financial metrics in future developments.
Charlotte adds to this by saying that involving local residents in the planning process is crucial for developing projects that accurately reflect their needs and build trust. Bowen emphasises that the social impact of housing and urban development is important, making authentic community engagement throughout planning and development essential.
Source: Unsplash.com
What does the future hold?
Whether discussing housing, sustainability, or social impact, one thing is clear: collaboration is the key to progress. This means working not only within the sector but also across different sectors and with local communities.
Only time will reveal the outcomes and actions of the new government, but there appears to be a general optimism in the air from the sector. One thing is certain: our sector will be closely monitoring their moves in the coming months and years.
Let your voice be heard
Do you have strong opinions about the government and the future of the built environment sector? What changes do you believe are needed?
Sharing your views and getting your message across to a broader audience can be challenging. However, as highlighted in this blog, embracing a range of diverse voices can lead to more successful and impactful projects in the future.
We are a diverse team of architects, designers, writers, content creators, and digital marketing specialists. We help our clients tell their stories and actively connect with their audience.
We would love to hear your perspective and help get your message across.
Book a consultation with us today, and let us explore how we can effectively communicate your message.
