Better housing can help tackle the crisis of loneliness in older people
In some parts of the UK, 80% of over-55s say they feel isolated, but well-designed transport, public spaces and street furniture can make a difference
January 2016
Foster on Friday
Even Labour is failing those in housing need
Dawn Foster
Jeremy Corbyn’s dragged-out reshuffle handed the Tories a welcome distraction from their damaging housing bill
Health in cities
The forgotten casualties and hidden health problems of gentrification
Leo Hollis
Most studies focus on the impact on families forced out of their homes, often overlooking the fate of those left behind
Experts say housing bill signals end of the road for affordable housing
‘A mess’ and only for homeowners: leading social housing experts give their views on the policies in the housing and planning bill
December 2015
Inside Almere: the Dutch city that's pioneering alternative housing
For custom-build and self-build housing to take off in Britain, we should look to our European neighbours for inspiration
November 2015
The do-it-yourself answer to Britain's housing crisis
Levent Kerimol
A genuinely affordable self-build project in Lewisham, London, is a chance to try out collective construction in a dense urban area
September 2015
The government wants to demolish your town. What do you do?
A new play invites audiences to argue whether a council should close down a mine or relocate their town, unleashing the passion of communities
December 2014
The eight problems that plague new housing developments – in pictures
Have we lost the art of building communities? We asked urban design expert Stefan Kruczkowski to explain the most common problems that blight modern suburbia. Do you recognise them?
Editor's blog
Autumn statement: the day the government abandoned localism
Hannah Fearn
The flagship policy has failed to deliver new homes so the government is considering building them itself. But will it do so?
Taking Letchworth to Chengdu: can garden cities work in China?
The quaint British garden city is being exported to the urban metropolises of China. David Ames from Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation went to find out how the idea travels
October 2014
How Cornwall is stopping communities becoming a ‘soft target’ for nimbys
National planning rules do little to support community energy projects, despite their wider social and environmental benefits. Rosie Niven reports on efforts to make a difference
September 2014
How to design communities that make residents fitter and healthier
The design of neighbourhoods, offices and green spaces can help to encourage physical activity and combat obesity, says Lisa Woo
July 2014
How to save a pub at risk of closure
What challenges face London's next mayor?
June 2014
Edinburgh's tram fiasco has lessons for other UK transport projects
'As I bow out, the Local Government Association is more effective than ever'
The Scottish independence movement and the threat it poses to Glasgow
Birmingham Trojan horse saga: two lessons for local government
Council of 2040: four characteristics councils must develop to survive
'Zombie' government's Queen's speech will keep Whitehall busy
