Urban Evolution
The Future of Property & Smart Cities
www.businessandindustry.co.uk
Melanie Leech, Chief Executive, BPF Page 04
“The
Erika Lewis, CEO, Connected Places Catapult Page 10
Build to rent (BTR) homes offer flexibility matching modern lifestyles and can accelerate UK housing delivery if the Government clarifies major regulatory initiatives and removes barriers. Government needs to take the handbrake off to build, build, build
At PLATFORM_, we welcome the Government’s ambitious target to deliver 1.5 million homes. This represents a huge challenge given that only 157,000 homes were completed last year.1
The value of build to rent
BTR can make a significant contribution to achieving the Government’s targets. The swift lease-up of rentals enables rapid, scalable home delivery, meeting demand from those seeking flexibility or priced out of buying.
PLATFORM_’s buildings offer thoughtfully designed apartments with quality finishes and smart tech. The benefits of BTR living extend beyond the four walls of the apartment though. Customer service and maintenance teams are on hand to help. We create communities through regular resident events and links with local businesses. All residents have access to a range of amenities, which match modern lifestyles, included in their rent: a gym, co-working space, lounges, terraces and more.
Barriers to BTR development
New build BTR homes are designed to meet the latest safety standards. However, hold-ups in the approvals that are required by this new regulation are putting the brakes on housing delivery. There are insufficient resources within the Building Safety Regulator to run the ‘Gateway’ approvals process, resulting in significant delays for those eager to start developing.
Uncertainty around the Renters’ Rights Bill, Scottish rent controls and shifting Stamp Duty rules all reduce the attractiveness of investment in UK housebuilding. Rising build costs and interest rates further strain viability, with housing starts falling below 100,000 last year, the lowest level since 2013.1
Unlocking housing delivery
The Government can unlock many of these inhibitors to housing delivery by: rapidly expanding resourcing of the Building Safety Regulator; reinstating Multiple Dwellings Relief on SDLT for large, professionally managed apartment blocks; ensuring a balanced process for rent tribunals under the Renters’ Rights Bill; and finally bringing certainty to the rent control discussion in Scotland.
Taking these steps would provide a real statement of intent that the Government is serious about its promise to build, build, build We stand alongside many other developers ready to get going.
Reference: 1. Cushman & Wakefield, Build to Rent Marketbeat, Q4 2024.
Build to rent: turning renting into a high-quality experience
WRITTEN BY Brendan Geraghty CEO, Association for Rental Living
Build to rent has the potential to deliver high-quality rental homes as part of the Government’s 1.5 million new homes target.
Delivering quality rental living at scale
The Government’s target of delivering 1.5 million new homes is ambitious but achievable — with the help of the build to rent sector. Capable of delivering professionally managed homes at scale, the sector has the capacity to focus not just on the quantity of homes that the UK needs, but the quality of them.
Rental shortage and rising prices
The UK has a severe lack of goodquality rental homes. Today, there are 30% fewer homes available to rent compared to the 2018–19 average, according to Savills. This is driving up rental prices as demand outstrips supply, with quality considerations falling by the wayside.
The build to rent sector is challenging this. Homes are designed to delight renters through quality properties, outstanding on-site amenities and strong community connections. They are professionally managed, providing renters with a high-quality service, as well as a quality home.
Meeting the needs of many
As the Government focuses on the number of homes needed, a mixed tenure approach is crucial. The UK needs more homes full stop — both to buy and to rent, but meeting these needs requires investment. Savills reports that £300 billion is needed
to provide an additional one million private rented sector homes by 2031. The institutionally backed build to rent sector is ideally placed to step up. It has already provided £35 billion worth of investment, delivering 123,500 completed build to rent homes across the UK in the past decade. Plus, 159,000 more are in the planning and delivery pipeline (Savills).
Quality homes, customer focus
A customer-centric focus on quality is a core element of the Build to Rent sector’s success. Renters are seen as valued customers, underpinning high operational standards across the breadth of the rental experience. The Build to Rent Code of Practice, an Association for Rental Living-led initiative, highlights this. It establishes a social contract with consumers and defines new benchmarks for service, quality, sustainability, security and good governance. It supports the creation of rental homes and communities that enrich lives, benefit society, alleviate the housing crisis and reduce environmental impact — all at a scale that could make the Government’s housing target achievable with the right support in place.
Why UK proptech adoption is key to real estate innovation and sustainability
Technology is transforming how we plan, develop and manage real estate — from AI streamlining property management to digital twins revolutionising planning.
Property technology (proptech) is reshaping the built environment, but how much impact is it truly having? What’s needed to accelerate its adoption?
Report findings on UK proptech
At UK PropTech Association (UKPA), we recently published a report in partnership with PUBLIC, commissioned by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), to assess the state of proptech in the UK.
Findings reveal that the sector contributes an estimated £2.6 to £3.9 billion in gross value added (GVA) to the economy, with a total turnover of between £4.9 to £7.1 billion. With nearly 800 active companies and an expected growth rate of 19.7% by 2032, proptech is a key driver of innovation. However, scaling adoption remains a challenge.
The proptech moment
The UK Government is recognising proptech’s role in driving innovation. As the country pushes for economic growth, aims to lead in AI and faces urgent challenges in housing and infrastructure, technology has a crucial role to play. Proptech can accelerate transactions, improve asset management, increase sustainability and make all buildings more energy efficient, but unlocking its full potential requires collaboration.
Providing homebuilders the confidence and data to increase housing delivery
Housebuilders have the capital, land and resources to build at scale. Yet, they do not currently have the confidence that there is sufficient demand to buy their homes.
Confidence is needed to underpin business plans and multi-year development pipelines that leverage large capital investment. Without it, they are unable to act with the assurance and boldness required to accelerate housing delivery to 300,000 homes a year.
Competition regulations mean housebuilders are unable to share data to help inform development appraisals and risk assessments. Better third-party market data and analysis is therefore required to help assess schemes and underwrite investments with greater confidence.
Development through data
Data has the potential to derisk and unlock development. Part of the solution is to access information
Scaling remains difficult, even for later-stage proptech firms securing investment. Without faster buy-in from property companies, landlords and policymakers, these businesses can’t deliver their full economic and industry impact. If we can remove barriers to adoption, proptech firms could grow faster and contribute even more to the UK economy.
Proptech benefits at scale
Proptech is already delivering results. Digital tools are streamlining property transactions; AI-powered solutions are reducing operational costs for landlords; and data platforms are helping investors maker smarter decisions. If adoption improves, the UK could see £527+ million in public sector savings, thousands of hours freed up in property management and a 3% annual reduction in home carbon emissions. In commercial buildings, energy use has already been cut by up to 45%.
Seizing the opportunity
The UK has a world-class proptech sector. To unlock its full potential, we need investment in early-stage innovation, better data sharing and faster adoption across the industry.
earlier in the development and transaction process. This includes mortgage applications and surveys on newbuild properties to give a more robust and comprehensive indication of price paid. It also includes proposed pricing and updates on build status for sites and plots, as well as information on sales listing journeys.
These provide vital metrics needed for viability analysis, which the lagged Land Registry data does not offer. This includes breakdown by bedroom count, price per square foot, discounts to asking price and time taken to sell.
Targeted housing with demographic data Housebuilders must also know who they are building for. Our research shows that many buyers for new
developments come from over 10 miles away. Understanding who these people are and how much they can afford is crucial to building the right homes on a site. This requires demographic data to understand how much of a site should be oriented towards single first-time buyers or rental properties for families, for instance. It also needs income data to benchmark affordability and identify nearby markets with spillover demand.
Data-driven approach for housing success
Changing market conditions mean that the success of future developments sits within much narrower margins for error. This demands a standardised and datadriven approach that is able to give the right assurances to housebuilders to operate within these tighter margins. Only then can they act with greater confidence to increase the pace of delivery on a consistent basis. Our Hometrack comparables database and housing market intelligence products fill these knowledge gaps. They leverage data from mortgage lenders and Zoopla that is relied on by developers, investors and banks to inform and underwrite property decisions. Without access to such data, housebuilders are less able to capitalise on the opportunities to get Britain building.
WRITTEN BY Sammy Pahal Managing Director, UK PropTech Association
WRITTEN BY
Ross Allan Director of Data
Hometrack
Unlocking investment to meet housing and infrastructure needs
The Government has set out its stall very clearly, and property is at the heart of the agenda they want us to judge them by in less than five years’ time.
Building 1.5 million homes in that time is, to say the least, challenging but reflects the reality of our housing emergency.
Infrastructure building planning
The Government, when in opposition, heard very clearly that planning was a major barrier to delivering homes and the commercial and social infrastructure that supports sustainable communities. One of their first actions was to consult on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework including, critically, the restoration of housing targets. Other reforms aimed at easing planning constraints followed in late 2024. These changes are welcome and necessary, but not sufficient to ‘get Britain building’ at the scale needed.
Regulation to address structural challenges
Structural challenges, such as labour and material availability, remain, as do barriers beyond planning. Government now needs to focus on ‘smarter regulation’ — ensuring necessary processes are coherent and well understood, streamlined and resourced to deliver quickly.
Further, the property sector will have to find more innovative ways to leverage greater devolution to partner with regional and local government to create viable investment propositions; delivery happens locally not nationally.
Investment-driven industry efforts
Our sector, which contributes over £100 billion annually to the economy1 and underpins all aspects of modern life, is fundamental to that delivery. Whether it’s creating a more productive economy, building new homes, regenerating town centres or reducing carbon emissions, BPF members have been investing in these priorities for decades. Collectively, we have the expertise, capacity and, crucially, the capital to significantly contribute to achieving them.
The Government will only unlock the full power of the sector if its various forthcoming strategies are truly integrated. Without that, it will not have the foundations or building blocks to deliver on its ambitious agenda.
This is therefore a year of opportunity for an industry accustomed to taking a long-term view. Its political importance has come to the fore in a way not seen for generations, but that still needs to be properly reflected in the national ‘Plan for Growth.’
Reference: 1. UK Commercial Real Estate Economic Footprint, BPF, May 2024
BY Nicholas Maclean OBE, RD, FRICS, Acting President and Acting Chair of Governing Council, President Elect, RICS
Acting on UK skills shortage to meet housing and infrastructure demands
Skills drive economic growth, yet between 2017 and 2022, UK skills shortages doubled to over half a million, now accounting for 36% of job vacancies.1
The inception of Skills England in the Prime Minister’s first month highlighted the new Government’s commitment to addressing the widening skills gap.
UK construction faces skills shortage
The UK construction industry — the largest employer, with 10% of the population employed and the largest industry at 6.4% of GDP 2 — is at a pivotal stage. The Construction Skills Network projects over 225,000 additional workers will be needed by 2027.
Addressing this skills gap is not just an industry priority but a national imperative, and a key focus during my presidency. A shortage of skilled professionals is already hindering the Government’s ambitious target of 1.5 million new homes in five years, as highlighted in the latest RICS Construction Monitor.
Tackling this issue is also crucial to resolving planning challenges. However, by creating a talent pool with the necessary expertise, we can unlock planning system issues and accelerate the delivery of muchneeded housing and infrastructure. Overcoming these delays is essential to meeting the UK’s housing targets.
Educating future construction professionals
At RICS, we are tackling this challenge head-on by educating and inspiring the next generation of property and construction professionals. Our strategy includes early engagement,
enhanced educational pathways and industry collaboration to ensure the built environment can meet future demands.
Engaging young people early is critical. RICS has hosted discussions on embedding built environment education into the curriculum, from Key Stage 3 and 4 to a potential Built Environment GCSE. In 2021, Wales added built environment education to their curriculum, inspiring 14 to 16-year-olds to consider careers in the industry. They gain practical skills, industry insights and an appreciation of career opportunities — an approach we should extend across the UK.
Education-industry partnership for construction
Effective partnerships between educational institutions and industry leaders are vital. By bringing students closer to real-world practices, we can create a pipeline of diverse, skilled professionals ready to address the housing crisis, tackle climate challenges and reimagine the built environment.
The solutions are clear, but quick action is essential. Prioritising education and collaboration will ensure the construction sector has the skills to build the homes, infrastructure and communities shaping the UK’s future.
References:
1. Gov.uk. 2024. Skills England to transform opportunities and drive growth.
2. House of Commons Library. 2019. Construction industry: statistics and policy.
Why
WRITTEN
WRITTEN BY Melanie Leech Chief Executive, BPF
They contribute to the wellbeing of society through the development of places where people live, work and play.
Why real estate and planning professionals influence all our lives for the better
Real estate and planning professionals have the potential to positively influence the lives of countless individuals on a daily basis.
INTERVIEW WITH Professor Eamonn D’Arcy
Professor of International Real Estate, Co-Head Department of Real Estate and Planning, Head of Postgraduate Programmes, Henley Business School, University of Reading
INTERVIEW WITH Angela Cropley
Associate Professor, Rural Studies, Henley Business School, University of Reading
INTERVIEW WITH Christopher Maidment
Lecturer in Planning and Director of Planning Programmes, Henley Business School, University of Reading
BY
WRITTEN
Tony Greenway
Real estate and planning professionals are in a lucky position, says Professor Eamonn D’Arcy. When they go to work, they know they’re making a valuable and tangible impact on the world. That’s very satisfying.
Essential roles of real estate and planning professionals
Yet, the public often doesn’t understand what these highly trained professionals actually do. Real estate professionals buy and sell property, lease space to tenants, carry out valuations and market analysis, while also advising clients on a wide range of real estate actvities such as asset management, real estate finance and strategic rural land management. Planners, meanwhile, are adept at devising and interpreting plans and policies, assessing sites and proposals, negotiating with stakeholders and engaging with communities, all with the aim of making better places.
“The work of real estate and planning professionals shouldn’t be underestimated,” insists D’Arcy, Professor of International Real Estate, Co-Head Department of Real Estate and Planning, Head of Postgraduate Programmes, Henley Business School, University of Reading.
“They contribute to the wellbeing of society through the development of places where people live, work and play. They shape land uses at local, regional and global scales to meet future needs of communities and businesses. They provide financial analysis and investment advice on real estate — the world’s largest asset class.”
Diverse career paths
Despite the stimulating nature of this work, some areas of the profession are crying out for qualified people. “The rural real estate sector is a case in point,” says Angela Cropley, Associate Professor, Rural Studies. “The firms that employ rural graduates — are struggling to find well-qualified people with potential to become rural valuers. So, there’s a gap that needs filling.”
The career paths on offer are very diverse. Many of Henley’s real estate graduates find roles with major professional service firms, developers and investors
specialising in commercial and residential real estate, including growing real estate sectors such as data centres and life sciences. “Around 50% of planners are still employed in the public sector. As well as local government, planning graduates can go on to work for regeneration agencies, central government, consultancies, developers and charitable organisations such as the National Trust,” says Christopher Maidment, Lecturer in Planning and Director of Planning Programmes.
Change brings new opportunities
Cropley describes real estate and planning as the ultimate ‘people skills professions’ because they need enthusiastic team players and networkers who are good at client interaction. Inevitably, their activities — and the demand for their services — are changing in response to new opportunities created by global mega-trends such as climate change and technological innovation.
“Planners are writing and implementing policies that aim to embed sustainability and push forward better placemaking with, for example, a focus on net zero carbon, higher quality design and the circular economy,” says Maidment. Professor D’Arcy notes that the sustainability agenda is changing the real estate profession, too. “Simple valuations incorporate sustainability information, and that’s before you get to green leases, green finance and the world of real estate investing, which has been transformed by environmental, social and governance (ESG) metrics and the demand for ‘green buildings.’ Technological change is also having profound effects on how we use physical spaces. For example, our homes have also become our places of work.”
A world-class real estate and planning education
Since 1968, the Department of Real Estate and Planning at Henley Business School has offered a world-class industry-focused education for students embarking on careers in the real estate and planning professions. Its suite of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes are accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). They are also supported by a global alumni network of 12,000 real estate and planning professionals through the Reading Real Estate Foundation (RREF).
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Public-private collaboration to power the UK’s housing and infrastructure boom
Public-private collaboration is vital for addressing rising housing demand, underutilised land and sustainability challenges, unlocking significant investment and driving transformative real estate projects.
By leveraging the unique strengths of both public and private sectors, these partnerships can deliver large-scale developments that yield significant economic and social benefits.
Collaborative housing strategy
A prime example of this collaborative approach is Homes England, the UK Government’s housing accelerator. Tasked with delivering 1.5 million new homes by 2029, Homes England will play a pivotal role in achieving the Government’s target of delivering 1.5 million new homes by 2029 — partnering with developers, local authorities and housing associations to address the nation’s housing shortage.
Public-private housing investment model
By combining public funding and oversight with private sector efficiency and investment, Homes England has unlocked dormant and difficult-to-unlock development sites and accelerated the delivery of affordable housing. This model not only de-risks projects for private investors but also ensures alignment with broader societal goals, such as urban regeneration and sustainable community development.
In a similar vein, the UK Government is exploring the consolidation of public sector pension funds to unlock
substantial capital for infrastructure and housing projects. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced plans to merge the 86 Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) funds, which collectively manage £354 billion in assets, into larger ‘megafunds.’ This consolidation aims to unlock around £80 billion for investment in infrastructure and housing, directing significant capital into high-impact regeneration and real estate development projects.
Partnerships driving development
These initiatives underscore the critical role of publicprivate collaboration in shaping the future of real estate development. By pooling resources, sharing risks and aligning objectives, the public and private sectors can drive large-scale projects that meet housing demands, stimulate economic growth and create sustainable communities. As the landscape of real estate continues to evolve, such partnerships will be instrumental in building a resilient and inclusive future.
Public-private collaboration isn’t just a strategy; it’s the foundation for overcoming today’s challenges and shaping the real estate developments of tomorrow, which we will see continue to blossom as the future of the industry.
WRITTEN BY Nathan Spencer Managing Director, UKREiiF
New technologies are already improving our public realm.
Building connected places: beyond just bricks and mortar
In overhauling Britain’s planning system, we can’t miss the opportunity to create neighbourhoods and communities where innovation drives economic growth.
Welby
The Government aims to deliver 1.5 million new homes and will need to reform the planning system to do so. We have a huge opportunity to create places where people genuinely want to live and call home. To achieve this, we need to reimagine how buildings, transport systems and other infrastructure connect to unlock growth and prosperity for everyone. The key to that is innovation.
Urban renewal challenges
Our towns and cities have a rich heritage of innovation. Take Newcastle, my home city, once an industrial centre, a hub for building ships and steam trains and a source of well-paid jobs for its local workforce. Today, it also tells the story of deindustrialisation and urban renewal: a legacy that many cities across the UK are also grappling with.
Whether it’s a struggling city centre or a forgotten coastal community, people know the cost of development without a plan or a plan without development. Poor planning has too often led to houses in the wrong places, car-dependent estates and isolated communities.
Planning must embrace innovation
We have a chance to do things better — and we must. At Connected Places Catapult, we know innovation can break down the silos between planning, economic development, housing and transport, which have too often held back local areas. This
THE PLACE FOR INNOVATION AT UKREiiF
how we’re shaping smarter, greener and more investable urban spaces.
will enable local decision-makers to ensure the right developments happen in the right places with the right infrastructure.
An innovation-led approach will also help developers work closely with communities to understand what people want from their urban areas. At the same time, new technologies can provide planners with better tools for improved decision-making.
Scaling digital planning
The UK has made progress in digitising planning, but more is needed. Tools such as AI can streamline processes and accelerate approving suitable developments. Digital twins, building information management and 3D modelling improve cost estimates, enhance efficiencies and identify issues early. Open data platforms boost transparency and give communities a stronger voice.
An innovation-led approach also allows developers and utility providers to unlock the power of data and collaborate better — for example, factoring electricity constraints of a site into plans much earlier to reduce costs and uncertainty.
New technologies are already improving our public realm, creating buildings and neighbourhoods that are more resilient to climate change and promoting health and wellbeing for local communities. However, we need to scale these solutions to benefit more towns and cities across the country.
Reimagining design and place-making
Good design with people at its heart is transforming how we think about place. People must feel connected to and proud of where they live, work and play. In Manchester, the emerging Mayfield Park development has reimagined a former industrial site as an inclusive green space, restoring a river and creating new wildlife habitats. By prioritising nature and community, it sets a benchmark for sustainable urban regeneration.
Kings Cross in London has become a traffic-free oasis in the middle of a bustling global city and an exemplar for sustainable, mixed-use development. Long-term stewardship has been carefully planned to ensure lasting value, strong public spaces and a thriving destination. Both developments put humanconnected design and placemaking at their core. Appealing places increase land values and attract investors. New finance models are needed to help investors see a return, and innovation can play its part. Yet, this kind of development shouldn’t be restricted to Britain’s largest cities. We need innovation-led growth across all our cities and regions.
Seize opportunities for connected places
Across the built environment, our collective aim must be to seize today’s opportunities while anticipating future challenges. Innovation needs to be at the heart of how we design and build connected places that people can call home.
Rebranded Harley Street Health District aims to become UK hub for healthtech
An investment of £52 million is going into new healthtech development Hale House to deliver flexible work and amenity space, creating an ecosystem for health innovation.
Harley Street is a globally recognised centre of medical excellence in Marylebone, London, managed by The Howard de Walden Estate, which is investing over £52 million into a new healthtech development. Centred in Portland Place and branded Hale House, the development spans three buildings — forming a key part of the broader relaunch of the Harley Street Health District.
This investment aims to create a new hub for health innovation in London, bringing the brightest minds in healthtech together in one place. Mark Kildea, Chief Executive of The Howard de Walden Estate, discusses the investment: “The change from Harley Street Medical Area to Harley Street Health District reflects the transition from traditional reactive healthcare to a proactive and tech-enabled care model.” The District aims to provide a fully holistic offer for patients, from prevention to cure.
Future-proofing healthcare provision
services to deliver a ‘whole health’ offering, underpinned by technology.”
He adds: “Healthcare continues to face challenges, with long waiting lists and a reduced workforce, so people are looking to better manage care in other ways. People’s expectations of healthcare are also changing. We are more health conscious, and services are evolving in line with this — with more techenabled and preventative offerings.”
We are more health conscious, and services are evolving in line with this
Since 1860, Harley Street has been recognised as London’s prestigious ‘home of health.’ This investment aims to uphold Harley Street’s legacy of excellence while ensuring its longevity. “It’s clear that healthcare is transforming. We have worked to develop a space that facilitates innovation,” explains Kildea. “We’re expanding our traditional medical
Why expanding the homebuilding workforce is essential to solving the housing crisis
The housing crisis cannot be resolved without rapidly building more high-quality, energy-efficient homes. However, achieving this depends, at least in part, on expanding the homebuilding workforce.
With an ageing workforce and a shortage of new entrants, industry faces a significant challenge.
Research by the Home Builders Federation (HBF) found that for every 10,000 new homes built, the industry needs over 8,000 new recruits across 12 key occupations, including bricklaying, groundwork and carpentry.
Addressing construction skills shortages
Home builders are taking steps to address these skills shortages. Through the Partner a College initiative — devised by HBF and funded by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB)— developers and their supply chains are collaborating with Further Education (FE) colleges to increase the number of students entering the homebuilding workforce. Furthermore, the Women into Homebuilding programme, launched
Healthtech collaboration to foster innovation
The District has already secured a key partnership with UCLPartners, one of the largest academic health science organisations in the world that has taken space at Hale House. Howard de Walden is now set to further expand its network. “The more we can enlarge our ecosystem, the more we will attract health innovators,” insists Kildea. Indeed, world-renowned US names have also set up camp — including the Mayo Clinic and the Cleveland Clinic, with Cedar Sinai due to follow in 2025.
“Marylebone is a fantastic location for these providers. We are perfectly situated, with rail links to Oxford and Cambridge, and within walking distance to the Kings Cross Knowledge Quarter. We are at the epicentre of innovation, with huge potential,” concludes Kildea.
in 2022, is helping to recruit more women into site-based management roles. Developers are also investing in their supply chains and embracing innovative off-site methods, particularly panelised construction, to improve efficiency in the industry. However, more must be done to ensure the industry has the workforce needed to achieve the Government’s ambition of building 1.5 million new homes.
Skills training needs reform
The current skills and training landscape is failing both employers and students and needs urgent reform. FE courses lack a strong focus on practical skills, with too much time spent on non-constructionrelated content. Additionally, requiring just 16 hours of study per week for a full-time course further restricts students’ ability to gain the skills necessary for employment. The quality of apprenticeship
courses is also variable, causing many students to drop out prematurely. Furthermore, it is counterproductive that two essential homebuilding trades — plumbing and electrical work, which are especially crucial as we transition from gas-heated homes to more sustainable electric alternatives — are not covered by CITB, the organisation tasked by government with assisting developers in attracting talent and enhancing skills.
Collaborative reform for the workforce
While challenging, none of these issues are insurmountable, and we welcome the Government’s commitment to reforming post-16 skills and recognising the vital role of employers in this process. By working collaboratively, we can deliver the much-needed new homes and the skilled workforce essential to building them.
The Howard de Walden Estate
Cooper
WRITTEN BY Neil Jefferson CEO, Home Builders Federation
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Smart Cities
WRITTEN BY Max Sugarman Chief Executive, Intelligent Transport Systems UK
Can transport technology support more sustainable cities?
With transport responsible for more than a quarter of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, the sector will need to undertake major efforts to decarbonise, if we are to reach net zero by 2050.
The challenge comes as we look ahead to continued population growth, particularly in our cities, all while catering for higher demand for our transport and making our cities more sustainable.
Transport technology’s role in decarbonisation
Transport technology has a clear role to play in facing this challenge. More data is being produced from our transport network than ever before — across all modes of transport. That data is being used by transport authorities to better understand how the network is used and, increasingly, to promote different behaviours that have lower environmental impacts, such as the use of public transport.
The use of data and new technology has seen the rise of journey planning and Mobility as a Service (MaaS) apps. MaaS enables users to plan, book and pay for multi-modal transport via an app or website, promoting public transport over private vehicle ownership. UK trials include Future Transport Zones and private platforms.
Similarly, technology has transformed the micromobility sector, offering electric bike and e-scooter sharing schemes that
provide an easy and accessible way for people to travel in a low-carbon way. These schemes over the past decade have blossomed across cities across the UK.
What needs to happen?
Technology must be part of the solution to creating sustainable, thriving low-carbon cities. Greater access to data, and greater data sharing across transport authorities and modes, will be essential. A focus on integration — as the Government is taking with its ‘Integrated National Transport Strategy’ — will be vital. For the micromobility sector, legislation to legalise e-scooters in a way that is safe and garners public support will be key.
Championing policy and industry changes
Intelligent Transport Systems UK plays a vital role in this transition by advocating for transport innovation through thought leadership, forums and events. By collaborating with public and private stakeholders, ITS UK champions the policy and industry changes needed to drive the adoption of technologies that will create smarter, greener cities.
Connecting data silos will unlock the power of place
Smart cities have evolved over two decades, shifting from a one-size-fits-all tech-driven model to a broader approach, using technology as a tool for better urban living.
Awider appreciation of ‘place’ has created new ways of reimagining connectivity within and between cities, wider regions, transport networks and infrastructure systems. A truly connected place is where living, working and getting from A to B is made better by the systems, infrastructure and economy of that place. It is sustainable, prosperous and inclusive, with community at its heart.
Breaking down digital silos
Today, much has already been digitised in cities, but the integrated digital transformation of connected places has barely begun. The information produced by transport systems, local authorities and energy grids remains locked away in silos. It is often integrated into complex systems-ofsystems and managed by outdated technology.
If we are to solve complex challenges like climate change, ageing infrastructure and housing shortages we must have high-quality data that is more readily accessible across organisations, supply chains and sectors.
Potential of interoperable data
The message is clear: without interoperable data, the benefits of technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) remain purely theoretical. The economic case for action is compelling too. The Government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan has identified an opportunity for a £470 billion GDP uplift per annum for the UK over 10 years.
As the UK’s innovation accelerator for transport, the built environment, cities and local growth, we are working with the Government on the creation of a Data Sharing Infrastructure Hub (DSIH) to sit alongside a National Data Library.
The aim is to support data-sharing across sectors and to responsibly, securely and ethically unlock the value of data by making it readily and safely available. Early economic analysis suggests that the DSIH could make a meaningful contribution to economic growth over the coming decade with projected benefit-cost ratios upwards of 20:1.
Bridging gaps across systems
To achieve this, we need a step-change in how we bridge the gaps across our fragmented systems. The good news is that we are now at a point where digital technology is not only helping Government and business to harness the value of data in new ways; it can also unlock the transformative potential of connected places.
WRITTEN BY Erika Lewis CEO, Connected Places Catapult
Why data, technology and collaboration are key to smart mobility
To develop efficient and people-centric smart mobility solutions, the private and public sectors will need to work together using the right combination of data and technology.
Smart mobility is a key feature of smart cities, says Maria Bengtsson, UK Head of Mobility at global professional services organisation, EY. “In this context, ‘mobility’ doesn’t mean individual cars, trains or buses or bicycles,” she explains. “Smart mobility is about ALL modes of transport working in an interconnected way, to enable efficient and sustainable movement of people and goods.”
People-centric smart mobility solutions
Smart mobility has the potential to improve people’s quality of life. For example, if train and bus schedules are aligned, passenger journeys could be seamless and waiting times could be minimised. If real-time information about traffic flows and more efficient routes are available, congestion can be minimised and both journey times and air quality can be improved.
combination of data (e.g. public transport schedules and traffic flow information) and tech (e.g. traffic monitoring, predictive analytics and dynamic route management). However, there are challenges to overcome first.
For instance, according to EY’s latest Mobility Consumer Index study — which surveyed 19,000 respondents across 28 countries — more than a third of respondents in Europe have security concerns around data-sharing. Moreover, 56% of respondents also felt that consumers should be paid to share personal or vehicle data. If smart city mobility is to become a reality, predictive analytics will need to identify patterns in aggregated travel data made up of millions of individual data points.
The best smart mobility solutions must be people-centric.
Therefore, Bengtsson notes that the best smart mobility solutions must be peoplecentric. “It’s about giving them [people] the easiest, most convenient way to get from where they are to where they need to be,” she says. Unfortunately, most urban environments are still some way from this type of joined-up thinking.
Data and technology are key enablers of smart mobility
To develop effective, people-centric and sustainable mobility solutions, smart city planners need access to the right
Public-private collaboration for beneficial delivery
To make a people-centric transition to smart cities possible, private and public sectors will also need to work together in a smart way, sharing data and technology. “A city is a public space,” says Bengtsson. “If it’s a good place to work and live and the transport system functions well, it will prosper. Of course, the private sector will be responsible for, and benefit from, some of those services. So, public-private collaboration is crucially important from a delivery perspective.” For mobility to become smarter and more coordinated, a mindset change is needed, underpinned by data and technology — and built around people’s needs.
Maria Bengtsson Partner, UK Head of Mobility, Ernst & Young LLP
WRITTEN BY
Tony Greenway
Technology is making UK public EV charging infrastructure more convenient
Electric vehicle (EV) technology is advancing rapidly, with improved battery life and faster charging rates. Technology is transforming the EV ownership experience too — particularly for public charging.
Over the past few years, the UK public charging rollout has rapidly accelerated, giving drivers access to a wide variety of charging options. What does this look like in practice?
Keeping pace with EV charging demand
A few years ago, finding suitable public charging points in the UK could be a quest. Drivers struggled to find the right infrastructure in the right place and upon arrival were faced with barriers to accessing and paying for charging. However, thanks to the incredible pace of charger installations and unified approaches to technology, that experience is rapidly being consigned to history.
As of January 2025, the UK had over 90,000 public EV charge points* available to drivers. With around 1.4 million electric vehicles on UK roads, that’s now one public charge point for every 15 vehicles — and it’s increasing at pace: the number of public chargers available grew 36% in the second half of 2024 alone, with the rapid and ultra-rapid charging speeds a particular focus.
Easy charging through digital innovation
The UK’s public EV charging landscape
With approximately 92,000 charge points, the UK’s public EV charging landscape is diverse. Charging isn’t restricted to larger cities or urbanised areas, and unlike petrol stations, you won’t just find them roadside. EV chargers can be found on lampposts, at supermarkets and farm shops, car parks and amusement parks and service stations; the list goes on. The breadth of charging locations aims to cater to a variety of driver needs and integrate them into normal, everyday life.
How do you access these 92,000+ charge points? That’s where leaps in technology come into play. Only five years ago, EV drivers using the public network were the unwitting collectors of an endless number of mobile apps. With over 70 charge point operators in the UK, EV drivers needed several apps, accounts or subscriptions to find, use and pay at a charging station. Octopus Electroverse was created as a solution to this challenge.
Electroverse makes charging on the go simple for electric car drivers. Connected to thousands of charging networks,
it enables a seamless charging experience and importantly, removes the need for multiple apps and cards to find a charger and power up your car.
Universal EV charging access
In 2025, EV drivers can rely on universal charging apps: one account, one map and access to over a thousand charging networks across the UK and Europe. Octopus Electroverse unlocks access to over 950,000 compatible charge points for drivers* and is Europe’s largest EV charging network.
Matt Davies, Director of Octopus Electroverse, explains: “We created Electroverse with a clear mission: to make charging electric vehicles on-the-go as easy as possible. One app and one card — that’s all drivers need to access over 950,000 chargers.
“Drivers love the slick experience and features we’ve rolled out over the years, but it’s just the beginning for smart EV charging. With unique developments in dynamic discounts (eg. Plunge Pricing) to save drivers money and greater accessibility (eg. Plug & Charge), we’re creating a seamless and user-friendly platform to improve the public charging experiences of the rapidly-growing EV community.”
Enabling a greener, electrified future
The UK’s public EV charging landscape has evolved rapidly, making charging easier, faster and more accessible. With expanding infrastructure and smart app integration, EV ownership is more convenient than ever — paving the way for a greener, electrified future of transport.
*Source: Based on Octopus Electroverse’s quarterly charging report data retrieved on 15 January 2025.
INTERVIEW WITH Matt Davies Director of Octopus Electroverse
Spread paid for by
Octopus Electroverse
Breaking the monopoly: the new era of fleet charging
As UK businesses look to decarbonise their transport, fleet managers and company leadership are looking for reliable and cost-effective solutions for charging their fleets — but they have been facing certain challenges.
charge point operators; and thanks to Plunge Pricing, businesses can snag discounts up to 45% when there’s extra renewable energy on the grid. That means your fleet stays charged up without breaking the bank.
“We want businesses to better optimise their charging behaviour and easily identify cost-savings, just like we want drivers to have instant access to whichever charging station they need. EV charging for businesses doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be easy, slick and intuitive — and we’ve created Octopus Electroverse to prove that.”
Electric fleet charging challenges
• Hidden costs: Many charging solutions charge premium rates (eg. ‘convenience fees’) for commercial fleets, making operational costs an unhelpful concern for businesses looking to adopt EVs and decarbonise even faster.
• Lack of insight: Legacy solutions provide little to no real-time data about driver charging patterns, cost breakdowns or CO2 savings.
• Drivers as champions: A new EV fleet means a need for excellent driver tools, giving them straightforward information and access to public chargers. However, existing solutions often deliver frustrating driver experiences.
These challenges haven’t been addressed by legacy fuel providers, yet they currently have a nearmonopoly over commercial fleet charging — but that’s set to change.
Changing the fleet charging landscape
EV business charging is still a relatively new market, but it’s an industry dominated by a few legacy fuel players struggling to adapt to the exciting tech and electric-fuel innovations present in the world of EV charging. However, Electroverse for Business is here to shake things up.
Matt Pretorius, Head of Fleet Solutions, Octopus Electroverse, says: “We’re changing how fleet managers operate: taking the mundane and flipping them into tools that actually benefit businesses — and speed up the transition to clean transport. For example, businesses using Electroverse get access to a unified fleet management platform that stores charging records in real-time with a VAT receipt record and kWh, date and location stamp — a simple but effective feature to support fleet managers.” With the management platform, fleet admins get total oversight. Everything is in one place, so you can view charging insights, manage driver profiles and e-fuel cards with just a click, plus access a single consolidated monthly invoice. It’s all about having the info you need, when you need it, for your full EV and transitioning fleet vehicles.
Cost efficiency and oversight are priorities Through the platform, businesses can easily spot where to save money by diving into detailed reports on how or where your drivers charge, as well as their charging habits. Pretorius adds: “Plus, as Europe’s largest network, you can enjoy cheaper charging rates with discounted rates on many partnered
Enabling fair, efficient EV fleet charging Rachel Beaton, Commercial Director at Electroverse, adds: “By breaking the market monopoly, we’re fostering competition, driving down costs and accelerating the transition to sustainable fleet operations. Businesses no longer need to be at the mercy of a handful of providers that dictate pricing and availability. Instead, they gain flexibility, control and a future-proof solution for their EV fleets.
“As the UK pushes towards full electrification, fleet operators need a solution that prioritises efficiency. Electroverse is leading the charge by providing a smarter, fairer and more innovative approach to commercial fleet charging. Which means a cleaner, smarter vehicle fleet for businesses of all sizes.”
INTERVIEW WITH Rachel Beaton Commercial Director Octopus Electroverse
INTERVIEW WITH Matt Pretorius Head of Fleet Solutions, Octopus Electroverse for Business
Ensuring the right charging solution in the right place
There are nearly 75,000 public charge points in use in the UK.1 When you factor in those who have installed a charger at home, that number hits nearly 1 million.
The UK is seeing one new public charge point switched on every 25 minutes on average. ChargeUK members will invest over £6 billion in growing the network over the next six years, and our work will continue into the 2030s as the majority of drivers join the transition.
Accessible charging drives EV success
Numbers are only a small part of the story. Key to the success of the switch to electric is ensuring drivers can access the right charging solution in the right place. This infrastructure is the backbone of the electric vehicle (EV) revolution. EV drivers need to know that they can easily charge their vehicles, whether at home, work or on the go. Thanks to the work of ChargeUK members, they can be confident that will be the case.
Tailored charging solutions for EVs
A fundamental shift in the way we drive is underway.
A fundamental shift in the way we drive is underway. The majority of drivers will be able to charge at home, but the public network remains vital, to support drivers on longer journeys and for those without offstreet parking. Each driver will have bespoke charging
Achieving
affordable, accessible electric vehicle charging for all UK drivers
A smart, clean city will mean that every electric driver can top up their battery when they need to — at an accessible chargepoint and an affordable price.
Imagine a city where the vast majority of the journeys we make can be easily undertaken by bus, walking or cycling and where the remaining journeys we need to make by car or van are all electric.
Vision of an ‘electric city’
We can charge our vehicles in a variety of ways: at home, either on a driveway or on the street; at our workplace; or in public spaces. Some streets and car parks will be lined with chargepoints that are easily accessible, with dynamic pricing systems that mean we
behaviour. The network is already accommodating that. However, as more people drive EVs, we need to keep ramping up the pace and ensuring that the right charging solution is available in the right place. That means slower chargers on streets and at workplaces where cars are parked for significant chunks of time; faster chargers at places like cinemas and gyms; rapid and ultra-rapid chargers along motorways and roads serving lots of traffic. The average stop at a motorway service station is 20 minutes – enough time to put up to 200 miles of charge in your EV.
Economic growth opportunity
The deployment of charging infrastructure also presents economic opportunities. It stimulates job creation, drives innovation and attracts investment to the UK. Government, businesses and communities must work together to invest in and expand the charging network, supporting a future where electric vehicles are the norm.
Reference: 1.
can make use of cheaper prices at off-peak times. Others will have innovative cross-pavement solutions. New technologies, such as integrated smart digital platforms, will allow us to link our car’s charging system to our home supply.
Can we make that vision a reality?
The UK has made huge strides in creating a growing and competitive market for electric vehicles and their charging infrastructure. Government regulation, incentives and funding have helped to put the UK on a course to be all-electric
by 2050. It should reduce the ticket price of many of the vehicles, increase the rate at which chargepoints are installed and make sure those chargepoints work for people.
However, as the market grows, the challenges are shifting. According to our EVA England 2024 summer survey, around half of electric drivers rely on the public charging network. We need a collective focus across the sector on understanding where and when drivers want to charge, the price they can afford to pay and the needs of users with disabilities.
Making chargepoints accessible
There has been important work to create a standard that ensures chargepoints are accessible to all users — let’s see that standard roll out. We must see investment targeted towards technologies that bring the cost of public charging closer to that of home charging so that it is affordable to all. We must ensure that transport and energy planning remove barriers to installing the variety of charging technologies we need, in the right places. We are not far off from that vision of a smart clean city. Let’s make it happen.
gov.uk. 2025. Electric vehicle charging devices by local authority.
WRITTEN BY
Vicky Read CEO, ChargeUK
WRITTEN BY Vicky Edmonds CEO, EVA England
Event accelerates the EV transition for a sustainable future
Join industry leaders at the main event driving global EV adoption. Explore innovations, policy shifts and investment trends shaping the future of sustainable mobility.
BY Edmonds England
As the London EV Show gears up for its highly anticipated fifth annual edition, the event continues to be a driving force in the global transition to electric mobility. Since its launch, it has evolved into a premier platform that brings together industry leaders, policymakers, innovators and consumers to accelerate the shift toward a cleaner, more sustainable transport future.
Boosting collaboration in the EV industry
The event was established to address the urgent need for collaboration in the rapidly expanding EV industry. Over the years, it has grown in scale and influence, reflecting the sector’s remarkable evolution from a niche market to a dominant force in the automotive industry. Advancements in several sectors including EV manufacturing, battery technology, charging infrastructure and policy frameworks have propelled the industry forward, creating both opportunities and challenges that require collective action.
Driving progress towards electrification
The 2025 edition of the London EV Show aims to go beyond vehicles, placing a strong focus on the entire EV ecosystem. This includes discussions on energy solutions, grid integration, sustainable infrastructure and the role of EVs in creating smarter, greener cities. Industry experts will explore
investment trends, supply chain resilience and regulatory changes, ensuring that businesses and governments are equipped with the knowledge needed to drive large-scale adoption.
Shariq Abdulhai, Founder and CEO of the event, highlights the event’s impact: “The London EV Show has become a cornerstone for the EV industry, bringing together key stakeholders to exchange insights, showcase innovations and drive real progress toward electrification.”
The event will continue to push the boundaries of innovation and set new benchmarks for the future of sustainable mobility.
Expert-led discussions and knowledge sharing
With the EV sector gaining unprecedented momentum, the London EV Show 2025 will serve as a crucial hub for networking, business development and knowledge exchange. By fostering strategic partnerships and facilitating expert-led discussions, the event will continue to push the boundaries of innovation and set new benchmarks for the future of sustainable mobility.
Finance and technology to unlock climate resilience
Cities play a crucial role in combating climate change, a growing global priority highlighted at UN COP meetings. Their significance in this battle has gained increasing recognition on the international stage.
COP30, hosted in Brazil in November, represents a pivotal moment for cities and local governments in strengthening climate resilience strategies that truly serve people and the planet.
Financing climate resilience in cities
Cities face rising climate risks, from extreme weather events to infrastructure stress, yet many local governments lack the financial resources needed to build resilience. According to the Cities Climate Finance Leadership Alliance (CCFLA), cities have access to less than 1% of the $1.3 trillion in annual climate flows. Addressing this challenge requires innovative funding mechanisms and collaboration among local and national governments, multilateral development banks and private finance institutions.
The Cities Climate Action Summit, held during London Climate Action Week, provides an opportunity for cities to define their financial needs ahead of COP30. Effective climate finance enables investments in critical infrastructure, disaster preparedness and nature-based solutions that enhance urban resilience. As climate impacts intensify, securing the necessary funding will be essential for cities to protect residents, economies and built environments.
City leaders must identify strategies through which resilience of the built environment also incorporates social resilience, maintaining cities as places where the majority of the population wants to live, work and play.
Technology as a driver of climate resilience
Alongside finance, technology plays a critical role in strengthening urban resilience. Smart infrastructure, artificial intelligence and digital twins are all helping cities to predict, prepare for and respond to climate risks more effectively. These technologies allow cities to monitor environmental conditions more closely and in real time, optimise their energy use and improve disaster response strategies.
These digital tools are helping cities to be more dynamic and better prepared, supporting better decision-making and allowing cities to implement adaptive strategies to help create more liveable cities. The Technology Innovation for Community-Centric Cities (TICCCITIES) initiative, launched this year by SmartCitiesWorld, has this message at its core. The initiative urges cities to consider how new tech-led projects will impact their residents, encouraging innovation that is as transparent as it is forward-thinking.
Finance and technology must come together
Cities must ensure that finance and technology come together to drive climate action in cities. Without adequate funding, the most impactful technologies will remain out of reach for many communities. Without smart, considerate technology deployment, climate finance may fail to serve those who need it most.
WRITTEN BY Shariq Abdulhai CEO, London EV Show
WRITTEN BY Luke Antoniou Senior Editor, SmartCitiesWorld
