A guide to master leasing: the pros and cons you need to know

Master leasing has emerged as a new strategy to combat the global housing crisis and rising homelessness. Here’s how it works. The supply of new housing is falling behind demand.…

Two of a kind: what are digital twins and how do they work?

How are digital twins helping the built environment adapt to climate change and make sustainable development a reality? Buildings are responsible for 40% of global energy consumption, and the built…

Circular cities 101: how do they work?

Applying the circular methodology to our urban planning and infrastructure could be an effective way to reduce the built environment's contribution to the climate crisis. Despite accounting for less than…

The architect’s guide to generative design

Generative design is transforming the way architects and built environment professionals approach the design phase of construction projects. Here's how. From building information modelling (BIM) to augmented reality and the…

Why is the traffic in my city so bad?

It’s not just bad weather, car accidents and roadworks – there’s a bigger reason why the traffic in your city is getting worse. For most people, traffic is simply a…

What does the UK general election mean for the built environment?

The 2024 General Election in the UK brings a variety of proposals from major political parties, each with different visions for the country's future. But what do they mean for…

Is your business ready for architecture’s digital transformation?

Digital transformation isn’t just another marketing buzzword for the architectural industry – it’s set to revolutionise the profession in the coming years. Digital transformation is a strategic priority for businesses…

How can we deal with urban sprawl?

Urban sprawl is significantly impacting society, the economy and the environment. Here’s why (and how) urban planners should address it. The human race is growing exponentially. In November 2022, the…

Sustainability and climate action in the built environment: a UCEM panel

Several members of staff at UCEM took part in a panel discussing the institution’s role in sustainable education and governance. Here’s what they had to say. On Tuesday 23 April,…

What on earth are sponge cities?

The concept of ‘sponginess’ has emerged in the urban planning discourse in recent years, but what does it actually mean? As the 2050 target of achieving net zero approaches, the…

What is embodied carbon (and what can we do about it)?

Reducing the amount of embodied carbon created in the construction process is one of the biggest challenges facing the built environment. The built environment has a pivotal role to play…

To retrofit or not to retrofit: what’s going on with Marks & Spencer’s Oxford Street store?

Marks and Spencer have been embroiled in a dispute with the government that has raised questions around sustainability and the built environment. Here’s what’s happened. On Oxford Street in London,…