Event details
This event—Housing, Planning and the Politics of Space—invites us to confront one of the most urgent and complex questions of our time: Who gets to shape the spaces we live in, and who gets left out?
Housing is more than shelter. Planning is more than policy. Space is more than geography. These are battlegrounds of power, equity, and imagination. From the rise of unaffordable cities to the erasure of communities through redevelopment, the politics of space is not abstract—it’s lived, contested, and deeply personal.
As we gather here, we acknowledge that every zoning decision, every housing policy, every planning framework carries consequences. It can either reinforce inequality or challenge it. It can either protect communities or displace them. It can either build futures—or bury them.
Throughout today’s conversations, we’ll hear from activists, architects, policymakers, and residents. We’ll explore how planning can be a tool for justice, how housing can be reimagined as a right—not a commodity—and how space can be reclaimed as a site of belonging.
Let this be a space for bold ideas, uncomfortable truths, and collective vision. Because if we want to build cities that are inclusive, resilient, and humane—we must first rethink the politics that shape them.
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WHO ATTENDS
Times are displayed in BST
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08:55 AM - 09:40 AM
Housing Inequality
Housing is one of the most visible expressions of inequality in our society. From skyrocketing rents and unaffordable mortgages to overcrowded social housing and rising homelessness, the question of who gets to live where—and under what conditions—is deeply political.
This panel brings together urban planners, housing activists, policymakers, and researchers to unpack the structural forces driving housing inequality. We'll explore how race, class, migration status, and geography intersect to shape access to safe, affordable, and dignified housing. We'll examine the legacy of exclusionary planning, the commodification of homes, and the impact of austerity and deregulation.
But this isn’t just about diagnosing the problem—it’s about imagining solutions. What does equitable housing policy look like? How can councils, developers, and communities work together to challenge displacement and build inclusive neighborhoods? And what role can innovation play in rebalancing the scales?
Join us for a candid, urgent conversation about the future of housing—and the fight for fairness in the places we call home. -
09:50 AM - 10:35 AM
Planning Bottlenecks
Planning is meant to be the engine of progress—but too often, it feels like the brake. Across the public sector, councils and agencies face mounting pressure to deliver housing, infrastructure, and regeneration projects at pace. Yet planning bottlenecks—whether caused by outdated systems, fragmented governance, under-resourcing, or political hesitation—continue to stall vital development.
This panel brings together senior planners, local government leaders, developers, and policy experts to dissect the roots of these delays and explore bold strategies for reform. We'll ask:
- What are the hidden costs of planning inertia?
- How can digital tools, streamlined processes, and cross-sector collaboration unlock capacity?
- And what cultural shifts are needed to move from risk-aversion to responsible ambition?
- Expect candid insights, real-world case studies, and a forward-looking debate on how the public sector can turn planning from a bottleneck into a catalyst for change
Expect candid insights, real-world case studies, and a forward-looking debate on how the public sector can turn planning from a bottleneck into a catalyst for change. -
10:45 AM - 11:30 AM
Delivering 1.5 Million Homes
The target is bold: 1.5 million new homes. But ambition alone won’t lay bricks or unlock land. As councils, housing associations, developers, and central government grapple with this monumental challenge, the question is no longer if we build—but how, where, and for whom.
This panel brings together senior public sector leaders, planners, housing experts, and community advocates to explore the practical pathways—and political tensions—behind large-scale housing delivery. We’ll examine:
- The role of local authorities in enabling and accelerating development
- Planning reform, land availability, and infrastructure bottlenecks
- Balancing speed with sustainability, affordability, and community consent
- Funding models, partnerships, and the future of social housing
With pressure mounting and public trust at stake, this conversation will cut through the rhetoric to confront the real barriers—and opportunities—facing the public sector in delivering homes at scale. -
11:40 AM - 12:25 PM
Land and Leverage
Land is one of the public sector’s most powerful—and most underutilized—assets. In an era of housing shortages, infrastructure demands, and fiscal constraints, the question is no longer what land do we own, but how do we leverage it for public good?
This panel brings together senior council leaders, land economists, developers, and policy strategists to explore how public land can be used not just for revenue generation, but for long-term social impact. We’ll examine:
- Innovative models for land assembly, disposal, and retention
- The tension between short-term returns and long-term community value
- How councils can negotiate better outcomes in public-private partnerships
- The role of land in enabling housing delivery, regeneration, and climate resilience
Expect a candid conversation on power, politics, and potential—where land is not just a commodity, but a catalyst for reform.