Buildings surveyor - University of the Built Environment

Surveying and building conservation: the responsibility to exercise judgement

  From heritage significance and carbon reduction to accessibility, viability and new technology, Associate Professor David Hourihan, Head of School – Real Estate and Innovation, argues that building conservation depends…

A proposed scheme offering first-time buyers the chance to purchase a new-build home with just a 2.5% deposit sounds attractive. But Jordan Turner argues that beneath the headline figure, familiar problems around affordability, equity loans and long-term repayments remain. University of the Built Environment

Help to Buy version 2? Good intentions but flawed beneath the surface

A proposed scheme offering first-time buyers the chance to purchase a new-build home with just a 2.5% deposit sounds attractive. But Jordan Turner, senior lecturer in Real Estate at the…

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,…

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…

Why we must rethink the UK’s obsession with the Energy Performance Certificate

By Jordan Turner, Senior Lecturer at the University of the Built Environment For nearly two decades, the UK has been fixated on one measure of environmental virtue: the Energy Performance…

Home buying and selling reforms – can the Government really fix a broken system?

As the government unveils sweeping reforms to the home buying and selling process, Jordan Turner, Senior Lecturer at the University of the Built Environment, explores whether the proposals will truly…

What is NIMBYism (and is it a problem)?

Where does 'Not in My Backyard' opposition to new development come from, and what are the potential impacts of this philosophy? In the United Kingdom, urban planners have long had…

Understanding green building certifications: why should you get one?

More and more developers, businesses and homeowners are pursuing sustainability certification for their buildings, but is it actually worth it? The buildings our sector creates are at the centre of…

What are mixed-use developments (and are they the future of construction)?

Mixed-use environments could provide the solution to several of the biggest challenges facing the built environment. Here’s how. For several years, the UK has been in the middle of what…

What is lean construction (and why should you adopt it)?

When applied to the construction industry, the lean methodology can help businesses reduce waste while maximising cost and resource efficiency. The construction industry is facing a conundrum. As a consumer…

All buildings great and small: the spectacular rise of tiny homes

What are tiny homes, and why is this radical approach to homeowning starting to pick up momentum and popularity in the UK? The UK is currently experiencing a housing crisis,…

12 essential qualities of a great leader

What does it take to become a great leader in the built environment? Here are the traits and qualities of influential leaders, managers and mentors. From supply chain disruptions and…