Appealing Design

The research in this 2022 report aimed to examine whether the national change of policy on design has had an impact on the conduct of Section 78 Planning Appeals in England.

The Design Deficit

Read our 2021 report summarising the findings of a short survey of urban design skills and approaches based on the responses of 235 local authorities across England, which took place between February and May 2020

Place Quality Research

Place Alliance has been working with its partners to deliver a programme focussed on generating a knowledge-based line of research about the quality of the built environment and its delivery.

Place Alliance new research finds that housing design in England overwhelmingly ‘mediocre’ or ‘poor’

A housing design audit for England reveals that 75% of new housing development should not have gone ahead due to ‘mediocre’ or ‘poor’ design. 

Place Value Wiki

Place Value Wiki is a collaborative platform for anyone interested in the empirical links between aspects of place quality and aspects of place value.

About Place Alliance

The Place Alliance advocates for place quality. It is focussed on the idea that through evidence and collaboration we can establish a culture whereby the quality of place becomes an everyday national and local priority. Place Alliance is open to all and through its work brings together organisation and individuals who share the belief that the quality of our built environment has a profound influence on people’s lives.

Place Alliance is hosted by

Latest News

Matthew Carmona – Appealing Design – The Tide Turns On Poor And Mediocre Housing Design

A Housing Design Audit for England revealed that three quarters of new housing developments were mediocre or poor when assessed against a broad basket of urban design considerations. Given that, why isn’t more of it simply rejected by the planning system? Answers can...

The Guardian – Councils in England are failing to use new powers to block shoddy housing schemes

Housebuilders are churning out substandard housing schemes with poor living conditions despite councils having the power to block them, according to new research. The National Planning Policy Framework was amended in July to allow councils to refuse “development that...

Matthew Carmona – Ending the lottery of design-based planning appeals (mediocre is not enough!)

For over two years I have been helping local residents fight a planning battle against a new development opposite my former home. The fight is not against the principle of development but solely on its design merits. The site, a two storey ex-warehouse used for many...

What We Do

Research

We focus on a knowledge-based line of research about the quality of the built environment and its delivery. 

Big Meets

Our annual conference is an opportunity to debate on the current issues about the quality of the built environment and its delivery.

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Campaigns

We promote exchange between people across the country who are working on and promoting Place Quality initiatives.

Summer Schools

A summer school aimed at a wide range of professionals and decision-makers involved in making and sustaining successful places. 

Working Groups

Working Groups are open to everyone and define their own agenda.

Get involved

The Place Alliance is a movement for place quality. It is founded on the idea that through collaboration and better communication we can establish a culture whereby the quality of place becomes an everyday national and local priority. Place Alliance is open to all and brings together organisations and individuals who share the belief that the quality of our built environment has a profound influence on people’s lives.

The success of Place Alliance depends on the support of its supporters and volunteers. We welcome all organisations and local groups as well as individuals, town and parish councils, local authorities and businesses as members and supporters of Place Alliance.

Donate

Place Alliance is an independent not-for-profit initiative of UCL. We operate on a tight budget and rely on the generosity of our supporters. For those who wish to make a donation to help grow the Place Alliance network visit our UCL online giving page to make a gift. If you would like more information on how we will spend your donation contact placealliance@ucl.ac.uk. Your support is truly appreciated.