Jon Rouse
NewsThe recovery unit
The Homes and Communities Agency must invest in land and infrastructure in order to be in shape for an eventual upturn, says the former chief executive of the Housing Corporation
NewsOFT investigation: Enough of the mudslinging
The OFT investigation has certainly focused the minds of public sector clients, says Jon Rouse, but now it’s time to stop casting blame and get on with the work
NewsOpen sesame
Increasing density in our towns and cities is a more sustainable option than building new towns full of eco homes. But unlocking the funds that make this approach possible is not easy, says Jon Rouse
CommentWannabe landlords kill neighbourhoods
We’ve achieved a lot in my three years as chief executive of the Housing Corporation, but there is much more to be done – in particular, tackling the buy-to-let menace
CommentGood to go
Right this minute the Communities England superagency is being assembled by a team of experts intent on producing a slick, smart regeneration powerhouse
CommentOur sound suburbs
The humble burbs are a vital part of our national life and deserve to be planned accordingly. Just don’t expect those who have benefited most from their safe, nurturing communities to stop grumbling …
- Archive Titles
Where next for social housing?
Ruth Kelly has ordered a review of the role of social housing in the 21st century. Jon Rouse, head of the Housing Corporation, points the way
CommentSupermayor
The London mayor has been gifted superpowers to control housing and planning and the question on everyone’s lips is: how is he going to use them? Ken Livingstone’s pro-growth housing strategy suggests we can be optimistic
CommentThe best of British
Here's an idea: how about running a London expo to show what we want from the Olympic Games, the Thames Gateway, the Communities Plan and the future of the UK …
CommentThe view looking back
Six years after the urban taskforce brought forth its seminal report, we can begin to see what it got right and wrong – and what it should do next time …
CommentTimid times
Our consultation culture has made us so obsessed with finding a consensus that we’re scared to build the visionary ‘grand projects’ that defined the West a generation ago
CommentA rescue plan
What can anybody do to help the pockets of deprivation in our prosperous cities – or is urban apartheid here to stay? Maybe America has the answer …
CommentSome strings attached
As the plan to build sustainable communities on public land begins to take shape, we should make social inclusion a condition for funding and planning permission
CommentAn admission
The answer to the future energy needs of the UK is to be found in the power plants of Woking. Or should that be the wind farms of Denmark? Hang on …
CommentLet’s not be victims
If the private sector slumps, unfortunately so too do its obligations to social housing. But that does not mean government will inevitably miss its targets. Here’s why …
- Comment
Everyone’s a winner
The Housing Corporation has been given the power to make grants to private housebuilders – but believe it or not, housing associations stand to gain from this as well
- Comment
Time to go …
Jon Rouse The question hanging over much of northern England is: how bad does a neighbourhood have to be before the only thing that can improve it is a bulldozer?
FeaturesUSA Today
Earlier this month, CABE chief executive we visited three US cities to see what Britain could learn from American planning and urban development. His trip diary reveals why both countries cast an envious eye on the other, and unearths the secrets of New Urbanism, Bush-whacking and the planning authority run ...
- Features
Why surveyors haven't got a clue
Bespoke office buildings can be worth more than the sum of their parts to their owners, but traditional surveying methods are woefully inadequate at putting a value on design. How can they be improved?