The promises of politicians and developers to build more sustainably in the U.K. are going unfulfilled, according to a recent report.
Transport for New Homes, a U.K.-based advocacy organization, has published a report finding that new housing developments in England are adding to congestion, greenhouse gas emissions, and car dependence.
The "Building Car Dependency" report "examines 20 new housing developments across England to find out whether they are built around sustainable transport – or the car," according to the report's website.
The recent report updates a similar report published in 2018—and finds few examples of non-car-dependent progress since that time. According to the report, outlier examples of greenfield development with sustainable mobility options include Hampton Park in Peterborough, Poundbury in Dorset, and Derwenthorpe in York.
"Rather than the walkable, green, and sustainable places that both the Government and developers envisage for future living, new greenfield housing has become even more car-based than before and the trend has extended to surrounding areas, with out-of-town retail, leisure, food outlets and employment orientated around new road systems," according to the website.
The report attracted the interest of multiple international and national media outlets. Roger Harrabin, BBC environmental analyst, picked up the news. Laura Laker also picked up the news of the report for The Guardian.
FULL STORY: Building Car Dependency: The Tarmac Suburbs of the Future
Planning for Congestion Relief
The third and final installment of Planetizen's examination of the role of the planning profession in both perpetuating and solving traffic congestion.
How Planning Fails to Solve Congestion
Solutions for congestion are never as simple and easy as armchair planners and engineers would like you to believe—especially those who suggest that congestion can be solved by forever building more roadway capacity.
Planning and the Complicated Causes and Effects of Congestion
What do planners know about congestion, and what can they do about it? Explanations and solutions are less obvious than they seem (part one of a three-part series).
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.
San Diego Adopts First Mobility Master Plan
The plan provides a comprehensive framework for making San Diego’s transportation network more multimodal, accessible, and sustainable.
Judge Halts New Conditions for HUD, Transportation Grants
The Trump administration attempted to impose new restrictions on federal grants aimed at eliminating DEI programs and aligning with the administration’s immigration policy.
States File Lawsuit Over EV Charging Funds
A coalition of states sued the Trump administration over its suspension of funding for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program.
Portland Council Tentatively Approves Sidewalk Repair Plan
The proposal would address sidewalk needs in Portland’s District 1 and District 4.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
Tyler Technologies
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions