City Talks: Brownfield vs Green Belt

In this episode of City Talks, Andrew asks why the seemingly simple solution to the housing crisis in cities – namely building more homes – is so difficult in practice. The discussion looks at the obstacles to developing 'brownfield' sites in built-up areas, whether wariness over building on the green belt is ebbing, and the impact devolution and new metro mayors may have on planning decisions in city regions. Also touched on is how First Past The Post encourages NIMBYism, the potential of 'factory-made' housing, and why we should stop associating the green belt with the Chilterns.

Joining Andrew are John Dickie, Director of Strategy & Policy at London First, Kathleen Kelly, Assistant Director of Policy and Research at the National Housing Federation, and Marc Vlessing, Founder and CEO of Pocket Living Ltd.