Rob Richardson

Finally made it to the Stockroom in Stockport. Really impressive space, buzzing with activity - people reading, working, meeting, drinking coffee, kids playing, etc (photo taken carefully to avoid capturing people). Definitely will be back, if nothing else to sample more of the cafe’s cake selection

Over 50% of Scots worry about climate change every day | NatureScot NatureScot Opinion Survey shows that most Scots want to do more to help nature, with strong public concern when it comes to the immediate threat of the climate crisis.

🌿 NatureScot Opinion Survey: Over 50% of Scots worry about climate change daily - affecting our cultural heritage, flood risks & communities! 71% see biodiversity loss as immediate issue. 🔗www.nature.scot/over...

#Climate #Heritage #Scotland

UK retail sales rebound in June falls short of expectations Warm weather helped drive recovery but sales still below pre-pandemic levels

UK retail sales rebound in June falls short of expectations https://on.ft.com/4o7eGwA

Street transformed as a people-place

This Vienna street isn’t “closed” because cars have been removed. It’s been opened to everything else, to a diverse and invigorated civic life for people, because cars have been replaced by a multitude of wonderful things.

Language matters.

HT @dmoser.bsky.social for the pic. #OpenStreets

A wide pink coloured bidirectional bike lane. It is empty (but wait a few moments, as the bikes come in bursts). To the right is a wide pavement with several pedestrians. To the left are two lanes for cars and a traffic jam of about 15 cars

Efficient transport looks empty 🧵

(Paris)

The beauty of trams We celebrate the two hundredth anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway this year. The best way to commemorate it would be to successfully build some more urban rail systems fit for the mode...

The beauty of trams
We celebrate the two hundredth anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway this year. The best way to commemorate it would be to successfully build some more urban rail systems fit for the modern age

northeastbylines.co.uk/news/transpo...

New book offers fascinating insight into University’s 200-year history A fascinating new book published by The University of Manchester has cast a new spotlight on how the institution’s campus has been shaped over two centuries of architectural change.Titled Building Tow...

Prepare to be distracted 😃 This major publication is now online and free to view in full!

Dive into a wealth of rare and previously unpublished material, documenting our university history through campus development.

Quick link 👉 archive.org/details/buil...

Congratulations all! A fantastic showcase of planning research. It was a pleasure being on the judging panel for the Patsy Healey Award and reading the entries - and tough to narrow them down into a shortlist

Congratulations to our members Cecilia Wong and Nuno Pinto who have both received @urbanstudiesfoundation.org Seminar Series Awards. Full details from the Urban Studies Foundation: t.co/myNJYdqefq

Great news, much-needed green space in the city centre and already a super project

If ministers want to see how welfare reform can be done, come see us in Greater Manchester | Andy Burnham Prevention beats cure in our view. Targeting issues like housing, personal debt and mental health will get people into work and cut the benefits bill, says Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham

If ministers want to see how welfare reform can be done, come see us in Greater Manchester | Andy Burnham

UK housebuilders agree to pay £100m to avoid legal decision UK housebuilders agree not to share commercially sensitive data "except in limited circumstances".

More evidence that relying on a broken development ‘market’ to solve the housing crisis is deeply flawed. For that reason it’s good that Govt has been looking at supporting public sector housebuilding, but needs to go further

A hand is holding up a black and white photo of an old graduation ceremony outside the Queen's Arch on Oxford Road, in front of the arch so that it lines up to present day

Congratulations to our 2025 graduates 💜

You join generations of alumni who’ve walked through The Queens Arch on their graduation day.

Here’s a photo from around 1972 - proof that while times change, the significance of this moment endures, as does everyone’s favourite photo spot!

Selection of headlines this morning… why are we still building new major roads?

Paris reopens River Seine to public swimming after century-long ban About 1,000 swimmers a day will be allowed to use three bathing sites after €1.4bn clean-up programme

NEW: Paris reopens the Seine River to public swimming after a century-long ban! “About 1,000 swimmers a day will be allowed to use 3 public bathing sites after €1.4bn clean-up program.” 14 more bathing spots beyond the city are planned.

Big, bold leadership.

@annehidalgo.bsky.social @paris.fr

People lacking good public transport more likely to feel lonely, UK study finds Research finds correlation between car dependancy and loneliness, particularly in rural towns

Interesting new study from @smfthinktank.bsky.social finds a correlation between car dependency & loneliness, particularly in rural towns.

This might be due to there being “fewer ways to reach others” and space given to cars creating “barriers in what might have been walkable neighbourhoods.”

The default 20mph for roads in Welsh communities has been one of the most successful UK road safety initiatives this decade. It cost just £10 per head and delivers huge benefits across a wide range of areas including 630 fewer KSIs pa and £45 pa lower insurance for drivers.

Innovative parks aren't just bold urban design—they lower the temperature in cities Parks like the High Line have a dramatic effect on the temperature of the city around them.

Innovative #parks aren't just bold urban design—they lower the temperature in cities

flip.it/M8._o5

Could this city be the model for how to tackle the housing crisis and climate change? Vienna has a way to make affordable housing and combat climate change all at the same time. Now U.S. cities want in, and they're building their own green housing.

Vienna has a way to make affordable housing and combat climate change all at the same time. Now U.S. cities want in, and they're building their own green housing.

Believe it or not, there was a time when the US government built beautiful homes for working-class Americans to deal with a housing crisis During World War I, the US government designed and constructed entire communities for workers and their families, setting new standards for housing and neighborhood planning.

In 1918, the US government became the nation's largest housing developer, building 80+ communities in just 2 years. These weren't barracks, but thoughtfully designed neighborhoods of single-family homes with parks, schools, and sewer systems.
An urban planning scholar explains:

Planning reforms must be matched by local leadership The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has acknowledged the government’s efforts to boost housing supply through new planning reforms

RTPI acknowledges the government’s efforts to boost housing supply but cautions that local leadership and oversight must not be left behind.
Read the full statement: www.rtpi.org.uk/news/2025/ma...

Manchester Museum named European Museum of the Year 2025 Manchester Museum has been recognised as one of Europe’s leading museums after winning the European Museum of the Year Award (EMYA) 2025. The annual prize is one of the most prestigious museum awards ...

Huge congratulations to Manchester Museum which has been named European Museum of the Year 2025!

✨ Manchester Museum is the first university museum to win this highly prestigious award #EMYA2025 @esmeward.bsky.social

www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/m...

Interesting take, but I’d say one interpretation/appropriation of placemaking is described rather than placemaking ideas altogether. If (big if…) executed well and coordinated with affordable housing, transport, public realm etc, creating good places doesn’t need to mean sterility or gentrification

Dear England at The Lowry last night was superb

Paul Chatterton, How to Save the City: A Guide for Emergency Action | Town Planning Review View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.

I enjoyed reviewing Paul Chatterton's book 'How to Save the City: A Guide for Emergency Action', for Town Planning Review. A much-needed source of encouragement and hope in difficult times.

www.liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/10.3828/...

Climate risk assessments ought to be embedded into the planning, design, and maintenance of green infrastructure argues Dr Jeremy Carter following a first of its kind study of Greater Manchester grasslands.

#GreaterManchester #Grasslands #GreenInfrastructure

Co-operatives: a better way to build, own and live 'Housing developers build units, co-operatives build homes and communities'

🏘️ 'Housing developers build units. Co-ops build homes and communities'

At this year’s #UKREiiF in Leeds, #cooperatives came together to highlight how the model is a tool for people to build, own and live better.

Read more: www.thenews.coop/co-operative...

#PeoplePoweredHousing

BRIEFING | Build to Rent: Patterns in Growth and Geography🏘️

Our latest analysis explores the geography of BtR across the UK and considers its role in national housing policy.

Read in full 🔎👇

Glad to have been at #RSA25 last week. Presented my research plans on placemaking in left-behind places, and enjoyed hearing from and meeting so many others with similar interests

Always more to be done but it’s good to hear the Minister talking about great placemaking