Understandably, since the election and clear agenda of the Labour party to build more homes and reform the planning system, there have been a plethora of useful articles on the challenges and opportunities that will come with this agenda.
However, less spoken about at this moment in time, but equally as relevant, is the technology that can support this process.
The publication of the draft National Planning Policy Planning Framework does admittedly refer to accessible and user friendly technology and whilst this reference is welcome, the significance of its importance in the creation and expression of planning policy has perhaps not been fully appreciated. The opportunity could be transformational.
The political rhetoric is encouraging and it is also clear that there is a sincere intent from many characters, both public and private sector, to deliver on this agenda. Many of the commentators on this subject see the situation around housing, homelessness and affordability as an urgent crisis requiring immediate action.
Mapping
Technology can play a very significant role in translating intent to manifestation. Already we are seeing not only a concept of ‘Grey Belt’ but also some are mapping where this might occur. This is naturally essential to support the relevant policies that will be coming forward including the new NPPF.
Mapping though is only the beginning of the story. It is one thing to suggest where new developments, masterplans and possibly new towns might go, but it is another to illustrate what that might look like for all the stakeholders who may be affected by such proposals.
Stakeholders are those that are submitting the plans for the proposals, the local town or city councils who are deciding upon it and all those who live, work and play in that location. Technology needs to support the bridging between those three points, each of which will separate but also in many cases overlapping agendas.
Bridging a gap where historically there have been chasms based upon mistrust and misunderstanding is a major challenge in itself. Coming forward with proposals which are likely to be controversial against that backdrop could potentially exacerbate that gap.
Community support
Even with the government highlighting the importance of closer collaboration between private and public sector to deliver a fresh and efficient system which will help deliver 300,000 homes per annum, the largest issue thereafter before we get to construction, is winning over neighbouring communities and residents impacted by such schemes. The schemes will need to demonstrate awareness of local needs and propose wider benefits to support those districts and most importantly communicate how change will occur through proper consultation.
This is where technology can play a real part. With time being of the essence, it can share information quickly and with the ability to store and visualise data, stakeholders can envisage change and be shown different scenarios and outcomes. This no longer needs to be in the form of still images and data sheets but now in 3D. We live in a 3D world but historically we communicate in a 2D form.
3D viewpoint
Technology now offers the capability of showing the context of a location and proposals in 3D in a dynamic manner. It is now possible to understand and test change in an environment and simultaneously analyse its effect in a range of different aspects. For example, views can be taken from any relevant location both within and around a Masterplan, massings can be altered in real time and the effects on amenity be observed.
This is much closer to our everyday living experience where our senses inform our experience in any given moment. Technology can now bring us closer to a living experience and share the opportunities, benefits and challenges that significant proposals can bring.
This also means that we can create local plans and consult upon them in 3D. If access to this information is available to all stakeholders, for the first time across the world, there will be the opportunity to share and respond quickly and effectively between all parties. It should be a matter of the past that communities will be saying that they didn’t appreciate a local plan or the proposals within it.
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Single source of truth
As long as we offer straightforward access to all stakeholders and ensure that the information that is shared is accurate, then this will mean they’re a shared ‘single source of truth’ for all stakeholders. Whilst there will always be resistance to proposals, the door will now be open to ensure that objections cannot be based on not understanding what is envisaged.
This approach surely goes hand in hand with the government’s approach to an urgent crisis around our planning and housing challenges. It can support clear and quick communication and embrace all parts of the demographic affected by change as well as those who must decide upon it.
If we invest more resources into this approach, the opportunity for greater trust and collaboration increases and with that the actual delivery of what UK plc needs for its younger generation.
Gordon Ingram is a director at VU.CITY, which featured on our 2023 PropTech 50 ranking
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