Postcard from the West Coast of the US: Providing housing (5/5) March 2020July 2025 Providing housing In our travels from Vancouver to Palo Alto we were appalled by the shortages of affordable housing, and the number of people sleeping on the streets. Despite, and possible because of, higher salaries along the West Coast, housing is generally as unaffordable as in London. But the extremes are even more noticeable, as…
Postcards from the Future: a journey over three continents December 2019June 2025 Over the past five years Nicholas Falk has visited many cities, often to take part in conferences or other events, and has generally produced a short essay accompanied by a selection of around ten images. These have now been compiled together, and some will reappear in a new book on how cities can change direction and make themselves more sustainable.
Investing in the green recovery June 2009July 2025 The 2009 Budget heralded the prospects for city regions and for introducing “innovative financing mechanisms to support locally driven investment in growth and regeneration”. This paper summarises arguments for enabling county councils and unitary authorities to raise finance to achieve new (and “greener”) housing and local economic development in the right places through infrastructure bonds and “quality deals”. It builds on the pamphlet Funding Sustainable Communities, which reviews the options, and on recent research projects into US and European experience with infrastructure funding and regeneration.
New Life for Smaller Towns October 1998June 2025 “New Life for Smaller Towns” by URBED serves as a practical guide for revitalising towns with populations under 20,000. It presents over 30 strategies across five key themes: enhancing shopping, diversifying attractions, managing transport, fostering community pride, and securing funding. The handbook emphasises the importance of local partnerships and well-researched strategies to attract resources and drive initiatives. Illustrated with more than 50 case studies, it offers insights into successful practices and encourages ongoing community engagement. Ultimately, it aims to empower towns to adapt to modern challenges and enhance their appeal to residents and visitors alike.
