The King’s Foundation and the University of the Built Environment today (Monday) announced plans to set up 14 regional forums to promote walkable, characterful and regionally distinct neighbourhoods using the principles applied to Poundbury in Dorchester.

They’re encouraging local builders, landowners, materials suppliers, lenders, planners and designers to get involved with a view to influencing new developments, including the new towns the government is supporting.

The effort will be led by the new Regional Building Foundation (RBF), which will convene local construction and expert supply chains, provide technical assistance and promote innovative design and delivery models.

It comes after a two-year research collaboration between the university and The King’s Foundation into moving away from today’s zonal, housebuilding estate model and towards regionally-distinctive place-building.

The research found that people want to live in vibrant, walkable, mixed-use communities connected to their local surroundings, but such places are usually only found in towns and villages built generations ago.

Challenging the zoning status quo

“We are at risk of accepting the status quo of zoning, where we build isolated business parks, retail areas, schools and housing estates that are not integrated into our communities,” said Ben Bolgar, executive director for projects at The King’s Foundation.

“The stakes are extremely high, especially for the next generation of homeowners,” he added.

The university’s vice-chancellor Professor Ashley Wheaton said: “Through our research, we have developed a deep understanding of exactly what a successful place-building system requires, one that can be adopted across the UK. It is a bold and innovative approach which reaches beyond the institutional logics that have historically shaped modern housebuilding in this country.”

He added: “It is vitally important that we disrupt and challenge established norms if we are to deliver lasting and meaningful change. As we contemplate the considerable volume of new homes and new towns, due to be developed over the coming decades, this work feels particularly timely and, indeed, essential.”

The 14 regions

The plan is to launch 14 regional forums over the next 12-18 months, starting in the Hampshire Basin, taking in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Dorset and Sussex, in September 2026.

It will be followed by London and the Thames Valley and then Northern England.

The 14 regional forums are:

1. London and the Thames Valley;
2. South West England;
3. Hampshire Basin;
4. Northern Ireland;
5. Northern England;
6. The Pennines and adjacent areas;
7. Eastern England;
8. The Welsh Borderland;
9. Wales;
10. Scotland;
11. Central England;
12. East Anglia;
13. Bristol and Gloucestershire;
14. The Wealden District.

Each forum will draw on the Lord-Lieutenant network to convene regional supply chains.

To become a member, register for a forum or read the research report, Reimagining Place Building, visit www.regionalbuilding.org.