Although London Mayor Boris Johnson's housing policies are mush less ambitious than his predecessor's, many parts of the city still lag well behind targets for affordable housing—even amidst an infamously cost-prohibitive real estate market.
Barbara Speed begins an article for CityMetric by noting the failure of London's 32 boroughs to hit targets for affordable housing established by the 2008-9 London Plan. While some boroughs did well to meet the targets for the three years leading up to 2013, far more did not. Kensington and Chelsea, for instance, only hit 10 percent of their affordable housing target in that timeframe.
"While part of the problem is a lack of private companies willing to build loads of housing, there are also quirks and loopholes in planning policy which allow councils and developers to build developments with little or no affordable housing, and all without breaking any rules," writes Speed.
Speed goes on to provide six examples of the ways developers—and politicians—work the system in London to the detriment of the city's housing affordability.
FULL STORY: 6 planning loopholes which screw over affordable housing
The New Mayor of London's Housing Manifesto
Newly elected Mayor Sadiq Khan created a housing manifesto while on the campaign trail. Its support of affordable housing development would be unique on this side of the pond.
London Plan Takes a Bold Stand Against Parking
The new 25-tear London Plan would ban the construction of parking in large swatches of the city. It's just one component of an ambitious policy agenda presented by London Mayor Sadiq Khan this week.
UK Election May Turn on Housing
While Brexit is the main focus of upcoming British elections, the skyrocketing cost of housing is also gaining attention.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
The Five Most-Changed American Cities
A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.
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.
Housing, Supportive Service Providers Brace for Federal Cuts
Organizations that provide housing assistance are tightening their purse strings and making plans for maintaining operations if federal funding dries up.
Op-Ed: Why an Effective Passenger Rail Network Needs Government Involvement
An outdated rail network that privileges freight won’t be fixed by privatizing Amtrak.
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.
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions