With the Labour Party’s rise to power, the UK has been promised the deliverance of 1.5 million new homes over the next parliament while facing unprecedented challenges such as climate crisis and a growing social inequality (The Planner, 2024). Although admirable, can the balance between quantity and quality, speed and sustainability truly be achieved? We’ll Read the full article…

Hello and welcome! My name is Ng Yue Qyng, from Malaysia, a passionate explorer of design and built environment. I am currently a final year postgraduate student in the M.Arch degree programme here at Newcastle University. As a newbie! (for  both urban design and international student life) The journey so far has been rewarding, and Read the full article…

I need to introduce myself first: My name is He Caiye, you can also call me Haya, I am from Sichuan, China, and I look forward to your visit to my hometown. My undergraduate major is interior design, which is more about learning how to decorate the interior of the building. Now I have changed Read the full article…

The development of smart cities began in the 2000s, with digital technology at its core, influencing urban planning and governance. Smart cities are no longer a dream of the future, they have already arrived, reshaping the way we live and work. Driven by the rapid development of digital technology, the development of smart cities began Read the full article…

What is Greenwashing The statement ‘we need to build more green spaces’ has been echoed by numerous people to address the current climate crisis. With sustainability, green design, net zero carbon, etc., becoming buzzwords, architecture and urban design are recognised as professions with significant influence in reducing carbon footprint. Moreover, a plethora of researches and Read the full article…

Introduction When we trace back to the past, as early as the ancient Greek period, Plato put forward the vision of the future shape and structure of the city to focus on the fairness and justice of the city, from the ‘Ideal State’, ‘Utopia’, ‘idyllic city’, ‘vertical city’, to today’s ‘resilient city’ and so on, Read the full article…

Introduction Urban design will be the process for developing areas that are inclusive from a social and economic point of view, not just aesthetic. This blog discusses how urban design can address various socioeconomic issues while considering equity and sustainability. The focus is on real examples and case studies that bring out the essence of Read the full article…

Changes in modern society fundamentally redefine the role of homes, and the Covid-19 pandemic has transformed residential spaces into multifunctional spaces. Housing is evolving beyond a fixed role into a dynamic hub that can flexibly adapt to changing needs and lifestyles. Till and Schneider (2007) argues that flexible residential spaces can accommodate unexpected external changes. Read the full article…

Introduction Picture a life in a city where green spaces add amenity to the surroundings, and a source of air cleaning; a city where every drop of rain is harvested, not wasted; where an urban structure merges invisibly into its natural environs. Cities are constantly growing, and with increased climate change, newer and pressing challenges Read the full article…

A BRIEF SELF-INTRODUCTION. Hello dear readers! My name is Adel Wahab and I am a final year post-graduate student enrolled in the M.Arch degree programme here at Newcastle University. I am an international student from the tiny tropical country of Singapore, but Newcastle-upon-Tyne has been my home away from home for about five years now Read the full article…

General Introduction  Hola Amigo!! I’m Sriram Anand, hailing from the vibrant city of Madurai in Tamil Nadu, India a place known for its temples, spicy foods, and even spicier weather. They say every great journey begins with a single step, in my case, a thousand sketches, far too many cups of coffee, and a lot Read the full article…

What if our cities were built not just for adults but with the needs of children at their heart, creating spaces where they can grow, learn, and play safely? Today’s blog post will discuss how and why we should be designing for the needs of children in our cities. Of the world’s children’s population, 60% Read the full article…