First University Knowledge Transfer Partnership earns ‘Outstanding’ rating
Posted on: 7 July, 2026
By Linda Serck
The University of the Built Environment’s first Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) has been awarded an ‘Outstanding’ rating by Innovate UK.
The project, delivered with The King’s Foundation and funded by Innovate UK, set out to explore how Britain can create more sustainable, mixed-use communities rooted in local character, regional supply chains and long-term stewardship rather than short-term volume housebuilding.
Read the full research paper: Reimagining Place Building: Advancing Sustainable, Inclusive, and Locally Anchored Developments in the UK
This highest-possible rating follows an independent review of the final project report after the partnership was completed at the start of 2026. It marks a significant milestone for the University’s research and knowledge exchange ambitions, providing external recognition for work that has already helped lay the groundwork for the Regional Building Foundation (RBF), launched with The King’s Foundation in June.
Professor Angela Lee, Associate Dean – Research at the University of the Built Environment, said: “Achieving an Outstanding rating for our first Knowledge Transfer Partnership is a tremendous achievement and reflects the strength of the collaboration between the University and The King’s Foundation.
“The project demonstrated how research, knowledge exchange and industry engagement can come together to address real-world sustainability challenges and create lasting impact for the built environment sector.”
Ben Bolgar, Executive Director – Projects Team at the King’s Foundation, said: “The King’s Foundation was delighted to work with the University of the Built Environment on a two-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership to help build healthy and resilient communities where success is measure by quality of life rather than housing numbers.”
What is a KTP?
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships bring universities and organisations together to solve strategic challenges through applied research, academic expertise and the placement of a dedicated KTP Associate. The University’s partnership with The King’s Foundation was first awarded in July 2023, when the organisation was known as The Prince’s Foundation, and was co-funded by Innovate UK.
The £177,000 project aimed to develop a new concept for sustainable mixed-use development that could help builders, landowners, planners and other built environment professionals scale up the kind of walkable, characterful places often associated with developments such as Poundbury in Dorset and Nansledan in Cornwall.
At its heart was a challenge familiar across the housing sector: how to move beyond isolated examples of good placemaking and build the structures, networks and evidence base needed to make better development easier to deliver in more parts of the country.
Innovate UK confirmed the rating after the project’s final report was reviewed by an independent panel.
University a ‘trusted partner’
In its notification to the University, Innovate UK said: “I am very pleased to inform you that your Partnership has been graded ‘Outstanding’. I would like to congratulate all those involved in the Partnership in achieving this excellent outcome and to thank you and your colleagues for your contribution to this success.”
Professor Graeme Larsen, Associate Dean – Sustainability at the University, said: “As the University’s first Knowledge Transfer Partnership, this Outstanding rating provides external validation of the quality and impact of our research and knowledge exchange activities.
“It strengthens our reputation as a trusted partner for industry, government and third-sector organisations, while demonstrating our ability to deliver research-informed solutions to major challenges facing the built environment.”
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