Competition

Seminar Summary – Foresight Land Use Futures Report

Professor Marcial Echenique

Professor Echenique outlined key findings from the Foresight Land Use Futures Report, explaining how land use will come under pressure from 3 key pressures over the coming years:

•Climate change adaptation and mitigation
• Changing demography
• New regulatory commitments

Land is a unique and valuable asset, of which less than 10% is currently developed (i.e. housing, infrastructure etc)- there is a misconception that 50% or more of our land is developed (over half of those surveyed believed this to be the case). There is a considerable mis-match between growth of jobs and allocation of housing, and volatility in land-prices as a result of the economy. Next steps: there is a need to establish UK-wide objectives and priorities, ensuring clear decisions at local regional and national levels. Decisions need to reflect a broader concept of the value generated by land – and be applied consistently. There need to be appropriate incentives to guide decisions on land use and land management – that are aligned with national objectives.

Corinne Swain – ARUP Fellow

Corrine Swain drew three key conclusions from her analysis of the report: there is a need to think strategically over longer timescales; there is also a need to find a better system for resolving conflict between competing land uses; and we should future proof decisions e.g. on release of open land.

Fenella Collins – Country Land & Business Association

Fenella Collins emphasised the use of land for food production, and the tensions this can cause, describing land as a versatile asset- and the interdependence of food security and environmental security a key challenge. Much land is in private ownership- there is a disconnect between institutional arrangements and private ownership; there is also a need for a better understand of the way that land is valued.

Mp3s to follow, check back shortly.