Street lights are an essential part of infrastructure providing visibility, safety and a sense of security for those using roads and pavements.

Burnt hi-rise building

Two pieces of news in the first week of 2025 illustrated perfectly the glacial pace of change in implementing long overdue safety measures in buildings, writes Rachel Davison, director of specaialist knowledge at the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA)

The National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NDFC) explains how demolition is necessary to regenerate towns and cities

In December 2022, the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport (ADEPT) published a good practice guide to support councils with levelling up locally. Darryl Eyers, former ADEPT president and director for economy, infrastructure and skills at Staffordshire County Council, talks about the guide and gives some top tips to local authorities about levelling up

The Stone Federation on the restoration and retrofit of public buildings and natural stone as a building material

New research led by the University of East Anglia (UEA) shows that large infrastructure projects which are the focus of the UK government’s levelling up agenda and include support for business start-ups, must also offer sustainable, local investment in deprived communities. Professor Zografia Bika and Adi Gaskell explain

Harry Steele discusses measures to reduce travel demand and the role of place in achieving a reduction in surface transport emissions

It is important for decision makers to take a long-term approach to improving the quality of life in our cities, towns and villages, says Justin Webber

Amanda Beresford analyses the impact of climate change on the current planning system and revisions which could be made

Dr Michael Harris explains why, even in difficult circumstances, better planning could be one of the best investments that local authorities could make

Juliana O'Rourke explores the benefits of collaborative urban, transport and health public health planning

Urban Regeneration

Urban regeneration holds vital importance in creating greener, more sustainable places. Juliana O’Rourke at RUDI takes a stance on regeneration for public benefit in towns and local councils

Given that encouraging walking is good for public health, good for the environment and good for local economies, how can town-planning and civic design encourage us all to ditch four wheels in favour of feet? Jayne Phenton from charity Living Streets investigates

Could it be that a planning system formerly obsessed with process and detail is finally morphing into a framework that understands social worth and can get back to creating really good places? Juliana O’Rourke, managing editor at Resource for Urban Development Information, reports

Local authorities and town planners are urged to use their town’s heritage and historic areas to really enhance their retail offer in a new report by the English Heritage

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Event Diary

Returning to the NAEC Stoneleigh in Warwickshire from 24-26 June, Road Transport Expo (RTX) is back with its winning ‘All about the truck’ formula.

19-20 November 2025, ExCeL London

elementalLONDON’s debut show is the latest launch from the team behind InstallerSHOW, building on the success of the elemental digital brand, which delivers news, views and solutions on reaching net zero to its audience of built environment professionals.

Education Business LIVE is a carefully designed conference and exhibition bringing together education people with a passion for the promotion and development of effective school leadership, management, learning and teaching.

Supplier Profiles

Frontline Cleaners Express

At Frontline Cleaners Express Ltd, we understand the importance of a pristine, hygienic environme

Tinytag

Gemini Data Loggers, established in 1984, designs and manufactures the Tinytag range of data logg