Empire State Development’s Post

The transformation of Bradford City Village begins.... We are working in partnership with Bradford Council, English Cities Fund (Muse, L&G and Homes England) and WYCA to develop and deliver an ambitious plan for the regeneration of this key part of the City which is hoped will act as a catalyst for urban living in the city centre more widely, and also act as a demonstrator project for residential led regeneration in regional cities. Focused around three development sites in the Council's control comprising circa 10 acres, this project offers an excellent opportunity to create a new place of circa 1000 homes including a mix of build to rent and sale, responding to the increasing connectivity benefits of Bradford with Leeds. Among the questions we are interested in: How to deliver successful place making that is inclusive but also changes perceptions of the city centre as a place to live? How to prioritise enabling public sector investment in a way that maximises the impact on occupier demand and value? How to maximise opportunities for attracting long term patient capital and private (inc institutional) investment? Simon Dew Chris Jones Angela Blake Tamsin Hart-Jones Rebecca Greenwood CIHCM Andy Smith Richard Hollinson #urbanchange #bradford #regeneration

One of the better examples of how housing challenges can be tackled in a way the provides both affordability and high performance (efficiency) to many, not just a select few. A great example for future projects.

🌟 “Revitalizing Lonsdale Avenue: A Great Street Ahead!” 🌟 🏙️ City of North Vancouver economic strategy just got a boost! The Lonsdale “great street” project takes center stage, with a fresh budget infusion to fuel its next phase. What’s the buzz? Let’s break it down: 🎆 Visionary Transformation: Imagine Central Lonsdale Avenue as a vibrant, history-infused “great street.” 🌆 The plan aims to revitalize aesthetics, enhance walkability, and support commercial activity. 🛍️ 🎇 Health Cluster Buzz: Nearby, the health and life sciences cluster (think Lions Gate Hospital Foundation) gets some love too. 🏥 Supporting health services and businesses is part of the game plan. 💙 🏆 Business Resilience: Despite challenges, local businesses are committed to staying put. 💪 The economic strategy charts a course for prosperity within our community. 🌟 So, North Van, get ready for a street that’s not just great—it’s legendary! 🎉🚀 #LonsdaleGreatStreet #NorthVancouverEconomy. 🌟 #canada https://lnkd.in/ge6M24T6

#Amsterdam is changing its planning rules to allow more housing in existing neighbourhoods, newspaper De Telegraaf reports. In the recent past, the city has tried to tackle its lack of affordable homes by #building new neighbourhoods on former industrial estates such as Port City, IJburg, and Zeeburgereiland. That’s meant to result in 70,000 homes in the coming years, but the ambition is to reach 90,000 by 2035. The #Netherlands as a whole is reckoned to need 390,000 extra homes to meet demand. In desirable locations like Amsterdam, this has resulted in prices of €600,000 for a 60-sq-m house. Amsterdam’s deputy mayor Reinier van Dantzig said the densification would house the city’s “economically homeless” and improve the #environment in districts around new #commercial centres in the northern, north-western and south-eastern suburbs. He referenced districts such as Buikslotermeerplein, Osdorplein, Arenapoort and the Zuidas, which are outside the A10 ring road. As well as the extra housing, these areas will receive #investment to promote accessibility, shopping and cultural facilities. He said: “With this plan we opt for a new way of urban development. We invest through housing in neighbourhoods that really need it. This way we can build homes and invest in facilities. By densifying we preserve space for activity and greenery in the city.” The plan will now be put out for public consultation, and will be discussed by the city council.

More exciting redevelopment for Greater Manchester! There are six previously neglected areas of our city region soon to be unrecognisable if developments go to plan. Key projects include the transformation of former industrial sites into mixed-use developments featuring residential, commercial, and public spaces including: 1. Atom Valley (Rochdale, Bury & Oldham): A new technology and innovation hub across three sites on the M62 corridor, along with 20,000 new jobs and 7,000 new homes. 2. Holt Town - East Manchester: 4,500 new homes, some of which will be affordable, as well as greenspace and opportunities for around 1,500 new jobs. 3. Victoria North - Collyhurst: 15,000 new homes and seven new neighbourhoods, with potential to grow the population by 40,000 people. 4. Ashton-under-Lyne: Development of an “innovation park” and Ashton town centre's market square and Town Hall are also set for a facelift thanks to £20m awarded to the area. 5. Wythenshawe: 1,750 new homes are set to be built, including supported accommodation and genuinely affordable houses, along with a brand new cultural hub and a new public square. 6. Oldham: Developer Muse is working with the council to transform the town, improving its centre and building 2,000 new homes. These projects aim to revitalise the local economy, provide new housing options, and enhance community facilities. The plans are also expected to bring significant investment to the region, improve infrastructure, and create jobs. Further evidence that it's a great time to be a Greater Mancunian! #manchester #development #propertydevelopment

This week on the blog, Kelsey Anne, P.Eng. share's her thoughts about the housing crisis in a new series called "What's the Problem?". "I truly believe that if we took a holistic look at our building stock, there is more than enough room for everyone to live, work, play and learn…we just need to look at things more creatively. One obvious shift we can make is focusing on office to residential conversions as the nature in which we work has drastically changed since covid. Last February, Kilo published CANADIAN CODES AND EXISTING BUILDINGS as a supplementary document to the study completed by Canadian Urban Institute (CUI)..." Read the post and let us know what you think! #kilolimacode #cmhc #housingcrisis #buildingcodes #ittakesavillage #collaborationovercompetition

Colchester Local Plan.. 📘 Following a Local Plan Committee meeting on the 17th June 2024, Colchester Borough Council has published detail of its proposed housing need at a level of 1,043 dwellings which is an increase o 123 dwellings per annum higher than the adopted Local plan. In a report published (attached) for the Committee meeting the Authority indicated that there are several spatial options to be explored, but all options include the Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community (TCBGC). The spatial options include: • Substantial Growth – Garden Communities and Suburbs This approach includes development of one or more garden communities or suburbs within Colchester (In addition to TCBGC) • Hubs and Spokes Model - This approach recognises the relationship between settlements within Colchester. • Environment Led - Under this approach planning for a better environment is the primary focus. • Transport Corridors - This option directs growth to key Transport Corridors. These corridors may be directly from or to Colchester City Centre and will include a range of transport modes including rail and road, including the A12. • Expansion and Regeneration of Colchester Urban Area - This approach would seek to focus development to the Colchester urban area, creating urban extensions to deliver large scale new communities on the edge of Colchester. • Proportionate Growth - This approach delivers growth proportionately across all of Colchester's settlements. • Community Gain - This approach seeks to deliver growth across Colchester where there are the biggest public benefits and gains provided through development. #planning #newbuild #homes

I have championed increasing density - without increased density we can’t achieve the amenity needed to create a liveable city for all. But lurching from an average of 14 dwelling/hectare on our city fringe to 50 level tower blocks in established areas is extreme, and who will it serve? Will families live there? What will life be like for them living in 50 level towers? Will the apartments be big enough? Critically, will there be enough green space? And why only 10% allocated to affordable housing? One only needs to look at Canary Wharf in London to see how soulless towers can be - what happened to ‘density done well?’ https://lnkd.in/gsZns6K3

“The New York City Council unanimously approved a plan that would radically transform a section of the Bronx, replacing low-slung industrial buildings with thousands of new apartments as the city contends with its worst housing shortage since the late 1960s. The rezoning plan will remake a 46-block corridor around the Morris Park, Van Nest and Parkchester areas, adding about 7,000 housing units near four new commuter rail stations, which are scheduled to be completed by 2027. In the years that follow a new neighborhood would emerge, made up primarily of mid- and high-rise residential towers. The plan is the latest rezoning to take place in the Bronx, the poorest borough in the city, whose southern neighborhoods have been transformed in recent years by the march of new construction and high-rise rentals. This effort targets a slice of the East Bronx that now has very few residents — just 637 — and aligns with the Adams administration’s blueprint of encouraging new housing in pockets of New York City, including in areas currently filled with manufacturing sites. Compared with the rest of the city, the Bronx has avoided the expansion of large-scale development that has overhauled Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens. Yet developers have been eager to push into what is considered the city’s last frontier. Of the new Bronx apartments, about 1,700 would be permanently offered at below-market rates.” https://lnkd.in/ewF-J8YA

European medium-density housing offers several advantages over the development of new towns. Firstly, it promotes sustainable land use by utilizing existing urban areas more efficiently. Instead of sprawling developments that consume large tracts of land, medium-density housing focuses on infill development, maximizing the use of available space within established communities. This approach helps preserve green spaces and agricultural land on the outskirts of cities, reducing urban sprawl and its associated environmental impacts. Secondly, medium-density housing encourages social connectivity and community integration. Unlike the often isolated nature of new towns, where residents may feel disconnected from neighboring areas, medium-density developments are typically integrated into existing urban fabric. This proximity facilitates interactions among residents and fosters a sense of belonging to the wider community. Shared amenities, such as parks, schools, and public transportation, are more accessible in medium-density neighborhoods, promoting social cohesion and inclusivity. Thirdly, medium-density housing supports sustainable transportation options. By locating housing closer to urban centers and amenities, residents have greater access to public transportation networks, cycling infrastructure, and walkable neighborhoods. This reduces reliance on private cars, lowers carbon emissions, and alleviates traffic congestion. Additionally, the compact nature of medium-density developments makes them more conducive to pedestrian-friendly streetscapes, further encouraging active transportation and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Furthermore, medium-density housing promotes cultural vibrancy and architectural diversity. In contrast to the uniformity often associated with new town developments, medium-density neighborhoods tend to exhibit greater architectural variety and historical character. This diversity reflects the evolution of cities over time and contributes to a more visually appealing and culturally rich urban environment. Additionally, mixed-use developments, combining residential, commercial, and cultural spaces, add vitality to urban areas and support local economies. Overall, European medium-density housing offers a more sustainable, socially inclusive, and culturally vibrant alternative to the creation of new towns. By leveraging existing urban infrastructure and fostering community integration, medium-density developments address the housing needs of growing populations while preserving the ecological and cultural integrity of cities. https://lnkd.in/e_KPHnbe