Opinion

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The missing link between land use and health

As we await the final NPPF, the wave of strategic frameworks and local plans is an opportunity to put neighbourhood health into place. We should reframe land use policy, not as a constraint, but as a proactive tool to reduce inequalities and improve wellbeing, write Michael Chang and Sophie Hockin

NPPF: Why building homes near rail stations isn’t always a quick win

Just being close to a train station isn’t the only, or even the best, way to measure whether somewhere is well-connected or a good place to live, writes Aggie Morris, Planning Officer, Walk Wheel Cycle Trust

A great building is no longer enough

Now that more schemes are purpose-built for rental – from transient co-living residents to longer-term family lets – how should design respond? Harriet Saddington reports

Labour needs to move faster to improve high streets if it wants to win back hearts and voters

The high street is not just a place to shop, it’s the identity of a place, the branding of a neighbourhood, a reflection of our state of mind – and lately, a complete embarrassment, writes Christine Murray

2026 Built World Cup Champions crowned

Twenty-four teams battled it out over 84 football matches to raise more than £11,000 for charity

Going circular: Why London is building the largest material reuse hub in Europe

Tipping Point East in Newham aims to radically transform construction waste and supercharge reuse. Hani Salih meets the people dismantling the system and building a circular economy, one step at a time

Martyn’s Law means we now have a duty to protect people from terrorism

Good design will mean reducing terrorist threats while keeping places inclusive and welcoming, writes Richard Hilson

Opinion

Councils need to prepare for objection letters from neighbours that don’t exist

We urgently need to reform our democratic systems to keep up with AI generated waffle and fakery, 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

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

The community came together to stop flooding – and failed: “There is only one winner from all of this”

After an extreme flooding event in 2021, my neighbours worked together to develop a sustainable drainage project. With one planning application rejected, the other withdrawn, what happens now? writes Dr Elizabeth Rapoport

Will British Land and Southwark keep their promises at Canada Water?

They consulted over 5,000 people and wrote a Social Regeneration Charter promising 35% affordable homes – but now say they can deliver just 3%. What happens next is up to Mayor Sadiq Khan

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

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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Winners for the Pineapples awards for place 2026 announced

See all the winners and read the judges citations after a glittering presentation at Trinity Buoy Wharf on 22 April 2026

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

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

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

The unintended consequences of School Streets traffic restrictions

Major study shows street closures reduce car use and get children walking, but the spike in those parking and striding from boundary areas suggest careful planning is needed. Christine Murray reports

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