My recent newspaper articles
Athens - report from the frontline
The impacts of austerity in Greece have dropped out of the headlines, but not gone away.
Is Airbnb a threat to historic cities and towns?
A new report on the impact of Airbnb and similar platforms calls for tighter regulation.
Review of the Scottish Planning System
The planned reform of the planning system in Scotland will end in tears.
A high rise future?
My article in January 2000 looked back and gazed into the future. How well did I do in anticipating change in British cities, planning and higher education?
New housing and regeneration practices for difficult times
Guest blogger, the distinguished Hungarian researcher and consultant, Iván Tosics, reflects on radical alternatives to address today's urban challenges.
Grid-based plans for urban extensions
A simple grid plan for urban extensions should be the basis for managing rapid urbanisation says a new UN-Habitat report.
How China's economic woes might impact on local government
China's slowing growth and rising debts have sent tremors through global markets. Urbanisation has been integral to the near double digit annual growth over recent years, so what does the slow down mean for regional and local development within China, and in particular for the local authorities?
Secure tenure and slum dwelling in Bangladesh
A project that has resettled slum dwellers and given them security of tenure is being hailed as a model to be followed in the Indian sub-continent.
Building collapses in Mumbai show need for new urban planning
Mumbai has been a powerful driver of economic growth in India over the past couple of decades. It is a mega-city with an estimated population of over 20 million. Much of the growth has taken place despite rather than because of planning. A spate of building collapses in recent weeks has prompted new debates about how to regulate development in this boom town. Provision of affordable housing has not kept pace with housing need, resulting in illegal housing development on a massive scale. However, it is not only houses that are falling down. People are risking their lives in poorly constructed workplaces as they try to earn a living.