How we use public land has never mattered more
When we think about land, it's easy to see plots, boundaries and development sites. But what if we saw something much bigger?
As councils across the UK face mounting pressure to deliver more homes, respond to climate challenges and make the most of increasingly stretched budgets, there's growing recognition that land should be viewed as more than a development opportunity. Used strategically, it has the potential to unlock regeneration, improve infrastructure and create healthier, more resilient places.
That was the focus of Housing, Planning and the Politics of Space, a Public Sector Executive webinar exploring how planning decisions shape our towns and cities, influence opportunity and wellbeing, and create lasting value for communities. Bringing together voices from local government, academia and the built environment, the event encouraged discussion around some of the biggest challenges facing places today.
As part of the programme, our CEO Stephen O'Malley joined the Land and Leverage panel alongside experts from King's College London, We Made That and Centre for Cities, chaired by broadcaster Tanya Arnold, to discuss how councils can think differently about land, infrastructure and regeneration.
The conversation explored how public land can be a catalyst for regeneration rather than simply a financial asset, covering everything from infrastructure investment and nature-based solutions to partnership working and long-term stewardship. Panellists discussed how local authorities can balance immediate financial pressures with creating places that continue to benefit communities for decades to come.
Drawing on Civic's system thinking approach, Stephen shared why successful regeneration starts by recognising how every part of a place is connected. Housing, transport, flood resilience, green infrastructure, heritage and public realm all influence one another, and considering them together enables better decisions and better outcomes for communities.
Stephen O’Malley, CEO at Civic said: "Authentic community engagement is fundamental to shaping a project. When people are involved from the outset, they're far more invested in the future of a place, expectations are managed more effectively, and you create places that communities actually want to be part of. Crucially, our responsibility doesn't end when a project is delivered, long-term stewardship is what ensures those places continue to thrive for generations to come."
Stephen also reflected on the role of councils as place shapers rather than simply landowners, highlighting the importance of bringing partners together around a shared vision and creating the conditions for places to succeed long after construction has finished.
As devolution gathers pace and local authorities take on greater responsibility for shaping growth, conversations like these are becoming increasingly important. The challenges facing our towns and cities are complex, but one message came through clearly – lasting change comes from taking a joined-up approach to place an putting people at the heart of every decision. Tanya Arnold concluded at the end of the discussion, "The housing crisis will be solved by people, or it won't be solved at all."
A big thank you to Public Sector Executive for hosting an insightful discussion, our fellow panellists for sharing their perspectives, and everyone who tuned in.