London Property Networking Breakfast Review: The Changing Development Agenda The latest London breakfast held on Friday 13th September discussed developing commercial and residential property in the UK, and the challenges and changes that developers face to deliver in today’s volatile climate.
The breakfast was chaired by Pat Brown of Central, who was joined by panellists Craig White, Director of Content at U+I, Debbie Jackson, Interim Executive Director – Development, Enterprise, and Environment at Greater London Authority, David Atkins, Chief Executive of Hammerson, Graeme Craig, Director of Commercial Development at TfL, and Savannah de Savary, founder and CEO at Built-ID.
The event opened with a 20:20 market bytes presentation from Pat Brown. Brown aired details of her latest project: London 3.0, all about where do we go from here, what does the future of capital hold int he face of technological, economic change, growth, austerity. How do we build on the achievements of the last 20 years to ensure the next 20 years are successful. Iteration and flexibility are at the core. Brown set the stage well for the panel to expand upon this further.
The panel began with a discussion of ways that the industry could improve.
For David Atkins, personalisation within developments needs to change, as does our definition of what it means to ‘design for people’. Atkins stated that the changing environment has altered what makes things work for people, and worried that great design was in danger of being phased out. For Craig White, the industry needs to change to meet the demands of modern cities, while Graeme Craig felt that the property industry is currently an analogue industry in a digital age.
Savannah de Savary found that planning has become more political, as have the people who are occupying these homes. A younger, more engaged generation is demanding more from their buildings and communities than ever before.
There was agreement that buildings have a role to play in the well-being of communities. Debbie Jackson felt that well-designed places could actually have a positive impact on overall wellbeing. Jackson said that design could help to attack broader problems, such as life expectancy, wellbeing, and mental illness. Diversity was also cited as an industry stumbling block. Savannah de Savary said that there was not enough ethnic diversity within the property industry, and that the lack of diversity is impeding our ability to understand communities and the people who live in them. Graeme Craig echoed de Savary’s sentiments, saying that the industry should reflect the cities we are trying to build.
Quality was the final topic of discussion for the panellists.
Graeme Craig cited an unevenness within the property industry, and expressed frustration at the lack of quality of many companies. He implored the room to work together to increase the collective average.
Savannah de Savary cited that accountability was key, and that we must use peer pressure to value engineer quality to make poor quality obsolete.
For David Atkins, an increase in quality is the responsibility of property businesses, and their decisions will take the industry forward.
Though the industry has changed, developers are positive about a future that takes into account the variations within communities through a diverse property industry.
