ESG and AI ‘driving a growing divide in Europe’s office market’

By Linda Serck A new report authored by University of the Built Environment Senior Lecturer David Hunt has found that European office markets are becoming increasingly polarised, with ESG compliance,…

Seven new towns: what can we learn from Bracknell?

By Linda Serck The government’s proposal to create seven new towns has reignited debate about how Britain builds communities at scale. Drawing on lessons from Bracknell’s post-war evolution, the University…

RICS CEO Justin Young: ‘Full disclosure: I’m not a surveyor’

Speaking at the University of the Built Environment’s Winter Graduation Ceremony 2026, Justin Young traced a career from tank commander to Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) CEO. He told…

Built environment workforce planning: ‘We need to be more future-focused’

By Nick Perkins Head of BEFA The University of the Built Environment recently launched the Built Environment Futures Assembly (BEFA), a powerful leadership forum for the built environment sector, operating at the…
Liz Peace: ‘Property industry is more than Rolex-wearing speculators’

Liz Peace: ‘Property industry is more than Rolex-wearing speculators’

Speaking at the University of the Built Environment's Winter Graduation Ceremony 2026, former British Property Federation chief executive Liz Peace CBE reflects on the industry’s social impact, its reputation challenges,…

Sam McClary: ‘I was convinced I was brilliant’

Speaking at the University of the Built Environment's Winter Graduation Ceremony 2026, Sam McClary, chief executive of British Council for Offices (BCO) reflects on the lessons she learnt as a…

Insulation and ventilation: your ‘healthy home’ questions answered

The UK Government’s flagship home insulation scheme was meant to deliver warmer, cheaper-to-heat homes. Instead, as reported by the BBC, thousands of households were left dealing with poor workmanship, unresolved…

Why grids need AI brains as much as renewable energy brawn

By Linda Serck Renewable energy now supplies more than half of the UK’s electricity, with wind close behind gas, and coal gone altogether. Building wind turbines and solar photovoltaic farms…

The ripple effect of the digital and green skills demand in the built environment

By Nick Perkins Head of Built Environment Futures Assembly  The University of the Built Environment recently launched the Built Environment Futures Assembly (BEFA) - a leadership forum designed to strengthen…

Strengthening competency and technical capability in the built environment

By Nick Perkins,Head of Built Environment Futures Assembly (BEFA) The University of the Built Environment has launched the Built Environment Futures Assembly (BEFA) – a leadership forum designed to strengthen…
Electricity pylons - University of the Built Environment article on how AI could have stopped the Iberian blackout. Photo credit: Pok Rie, Pexels

How AI could have stopped the 2025 Iberian blackout

By Linda Serck On 28 April 2025, the power systems of Spain and Portugal suffered a full-scale blackout. Millions of homes, businesses and critical infrastructures plunged into darkness in seconds.…
What does the Budget 2025 mean for the construction industry?

What does the Budget 2025 mean for the construction industry?

James Beckwith MA, MSc, LLM, PgCAP, FRICS, FAIQS, CQS, FCIArb, FHEASenior Lecturer, University of the Built Environment Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered the Government’s Budget 2025 yesterday, setting out a series…