Volume 19 (2025-26)

The focus of this paper is on the large downtowns in the USA, although several other large districts around the world are also seeking greater functional diversity as the demand for office spaces has diminished and the competition for creative talent has increased. Great attention has been paid to providing more housing. How much housing can be provided before the downtown changes into something other than a downtown has become a key question. The research in this paper shows that the Upper East Side in Manhattan (UES) has over 245,000 residents, yet is still a major employment, arts, healthcare and retail centre. Some still question if the UES is really a downtown. This paper presents the two analytical models that now structure much of our understanding of what a downtown is, and uses them and data on our 26 largest downtowns to show why the UES deserves that appellation. It also suggests a third model: the balanced downtown. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
Keywords: downtowns; downtown models; Upper East Side; downtowns rebound; functional diversity; downtown housing; downtown offices; central social functions; central business functions

This paper discusses the importance of integrated investment strategies in real estate and infrastructure. It defines integrated investments as coordinated efforts across multiple complementary and synergetic sectors aimed at achieving social, economic, and environmental benefits as well as sustainable financial returns. The paper argues that these investments are intrinsically self-reinforcing, as each component supports and reinforces the others, allows for risk diversification, and contributes to strengthening the local context, making them more resilient. By moving away from isolated stand-alone projects and adopting a holistic approach, integrated investments can drive long-term positive changes for communities. The paper also highlights some limitations of traditional, siloed investment strategies and reflects on real-world examples of successful integrated investments. Key factors for success include clear vision, strong fundamentals, effective leadership, mobilisation of patient capital, community engagement, and innovative partnerships. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
Keywords: real estate; property; infrastructure; integrated investment strategies; sustainable investment practices; impact investment; portfolio diversification; economic development; public–private partnership; stakeholder engagement

This paper evaluates the evolving role and growing importance of Green Belt policy in England, arguing that both the designation and the land it protects are now critical to addressing environmental, climate, and public health challenges. It defines the extent and characteristics of Green Belt and other ‘countryside around towns’ land, showing how these areas provide essential functions: preventing urban sprawl, supporting nature recovery, offering public access to green space, and sustaining cultural landscapes. The paper highlights mounting pressures on Green Belt land, including housing demand, weakened planning controls, losses in farming capacity, and recently introduced ‘grey belt’ policy reforms. Drawing on recent evidence about development trends, public opinion, climate adaptation, and land management, the paper contends that Green Belt policy should be strengthened, not diluted. It sets out a series of recommendations, including reinstating strategic planning through Spatial Development Strategies, adopting a robust brownfield-first approach, prioritising environmental land management, and exploring opportunities to designate new Green Belts or expand National Landscape protections. It concludes that well-managed Green Belt and urban fringe land can play a pivotal role in sustainable regeneration, climate resilience, local food production, and equitable access to nature, provided policy is reoriented towards long-term environmental and social outcomes. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
Keywords: Green Belts; urban sprawl; planning policy; land use policy; countryside protection designations; affordable housing; England

The research discussed in this paper delves into the complex processes of territorialisation and deterritorialisation in urban development planning, focusing specifically on the Tehran University Development Plan. The study employs a robust methodology that includes 66 interviews with a wide array of stakeholders. It identifies and examines five core concepts that reveal the impact of the development plan: local resistance, academic discourse, power structures, mechanisms of urbanisation and dispossession. By analysing these concepts, the research uncovers how centralised narratives and political agendas affect the spatial relations. The study exposes the contentious nature of urban planning, demonstrating how planning processes can intensify spatial inequalities and marginalise local populations. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
Keywords: territorialisation; deterritorialisation; production of space; conflict of interests; Tehran University Development Plan

The German housing sector is in the midst of structural change that requires a reorganisation of the players in the housing sector and their business models. Additionally, the way private households live is also changing. Residential properties need to adapt in order to meet this change. A large proportion of the German housing stock no longer aligns with the future requirements of its residents. So far, there is still uncertainty among the players in the housing sector about the necessary adjustments to residential properties. This study aims to close this gap. To this end, the main results of five sub-projects of a comprehensive research programme on housing transformation in Germany are presented. The results of a quantitative survey of 1,000 private households are reported and discussed. The results represent one of the first comprehensive analyses of the expected changes in housing requirements from the perspective of private households. The findings highlight the growing importance of sustainability in the construction process and emphasise the significance of digital technologies for maintaining the value of residential properties. It has also been shown that private households increasingly value flexibility at home and that the relevance of shared living concepts is rising. A clear trend can also be recognised: more households are moving to suburban locations with affordable housing and a lively environment. For project developers and political decision makers, the results thus provide a foundation for making well-founded decisions and realising the housing transformation. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
Keywords: transformation; housing; megatrends; housing needs; project development

This paper calls for using green space to add value to developments rather than limit urban expansion as Green Belts have tried to do. It questions the importance of new towns as a means of providing the housing the UK needs to build and argues for urban extensions and renewal as better methods. Development corporations, as recommended by the New Towns Taskforce, should be used to implement spatial development strategies by assembling land and commissioning local infrastructure. The resulting uplift in land values can then be used to fund infrastructure improvements and new green space. A Common Wealth Fund should complement the National Wealth Fund by supporting local initiatives that conserve and improve the natural environment around town centres and railway stations. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
Keywords: Urban greening; new settlements; Connected Cities; regeneration

There is a prevailing narrative in England that the housing crisis is a result of a failure to build enough homes. The solution, according to this narrative, is to build more homes and remove perceived barriers to building which, it is claimed, include the planning system generally and Green Belt policy in particular. Alternative analysis suggests, however, that there is not a housing shortage, that the planning system and Green Belt policy are not constraining development and, more importantly, that the roots of the housing crisis lie in reforms of the 1980s which meant housing has come to be treated as a financial asset rather than a necessity. The UK Government has adopted the first of these narratives and as a result has implemented planning reforms that undermine Green Belt policy. This paper considers evidence that suggests this narrative does not stand up to scrutiny; thus policies driven by it will not solve the housing crisis but will instead encourage urban sprawl, leading in turn to negative environmental, social and economic impacts, loss of valuable countryside and missed opportunities for urban regeneration and renewal. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
Keywords: Green Belts; housing; London; England; urban regeneration; loss of countryside

This practice paper describes how the London Borough of Enfield is seeking to deliver biodiversity, recreation and other green infrastructure benefits on areas of Green Belt to enable the delivery of a potential New Town on the urban periphery of London. The paper uses Enfield’s emerging local policy approach as a case study to explore how Green Belt policy is evolving in England. It then explores the history and context of Green Belt policy nationally and in Enfield and considers whether Enfield’s approach represents a return to the historical objectives underlying London’s Green Belt when it was established by London County Council via its 1930s loan scheme and the subsequent 1938 Green Belt (London and Home Counties) Act. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
Keywords: Green Belt; compensation; landscape restoration; nature recovery; biodiversity; strategic planning; urban containment

Following the Green Belt’s introduction within the 1947 Town and Country Planning Act (TCPA), the policy has arguably become the most established and influential legacies of the UK planning system. The Green Belt is also at the forefront of planning debates internationally, helping to manage growth in global cities such as Toronto, Tokyo and Melbourne. Concerning England, the geographical setting for this paper, the Green Belt commands widespread interest because of the role the policy has played in preventing urban sprawl, while perpetuating romanticised beliefs associated with the countryside. It has, however, also been subject to widespread debate and been progressively attacked due to the deepening housing crisis, which has been attributed as a symptom of the policy. Such critiques are extremely topical; until the election of the UK Labour Government in 2024, the Green Belt has maintained strict application to its overarching aim in preventing sprawl and keeping land open. However, the adopted UK National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 2024 arguably represented the most radical shift in the policy and reflected the Prime Minister’s ambition to develop within the so-called ‘Grey Belt’. This rhetoric was taken further within the new draft NPPF (published December 2025) which advocates development near well-served train stations. This direction from central government is predicated upon an evidence-based approach to Green Belt management, as opposed to long-standing nostalgic and qualitative assumptions that the policy is sacrosanct. This paper is befitting with the narrative that the Green Belt should become more of a ‘technical’ policy through a (quantitative) spatial analysis of the social and environmental characteristics associated with Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council’s (SMBC) location in the West Midlands Green Belt (WMGB). The paper identifies several sustainably located sites, outside any environmental designations, which delineate the apparent potential to reform the policy and underscores the belief that the Green Belt is a blanket designation. Critically, the central pillar of this paper presents a first iteration of a spatial methodology that can be adapted in practice to influence future Green Belt decision-making, which could be extended regionally to mediate the policy’s interplay with politics. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
Keywords: Green Belt; spatial analysis; GIS; socio-environmental characteristics; housing shortfall; policy review; politics

The capital city of Aotearoa New Zealand, Wellington, features a green belt paradigmatic of 19th-century planning ideals, which offers an enduring ring of public green space that has shaped the city’s urban form. Yet its presence can mask significant gaps in equitable, everyday access to green space within the compact urban area it encircles. For many residents — particularly those less affluent or mobile — everyday constraints limit the ability to benefit from the belt’s steep terrain and peripheral location. Further, the city’s colonial history has obscured Māori sites of significance, including historic streams that once flowed from the area now known as the Town Belt but have since been piped and diverted underground. Against this backdrop, this paper examines the Town Belt’s colonial legacies and discusses Waimapihi (a historic stream) to illustrate the limits of protection at the margins and symbolic recognition within the core. Two emerging responses at public housing sites — an Indigenous-led community garden and the planned Frederick Street Park — are considered as valuable responses to the need for densifying centres to retrofit existing spaces, improve accessibility and quality, and plan for diverse everyday uses. The paper situates Wellington within wider debates on shifting from green belts to connected green (and blue) infrastructure networks, arguing that while edge protection remains important, it must be complemented by sustained investment in an equitable and culturally informed approach that integrates natural and built environments to support accessibility, resilience and high-quality urban living. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
Keywords: Green Belt; urban green space; equity; accessibility; Wellington; Aotearoa New Zealand

Green Belts have historically functioned as instruments to limit urban sprawl. Their potential to serve as dynamic platforms for socio-ecological regeneration, however, remains underutilised. This paper examines the integration of community-based urban agriculture as a regenerative practice within Green Belts, repositioning them from static containment boundaries to dynamic spaces of metabolic repair. Drawing on Karl Marx’s theory of the metabolic rift, this study explores grassroots agricultural practices in Melbourne, Australia’s ‘Green Wedges’. These practices provide a regenerative alternative to the strict separation of towns and cities implied by conventional Green Belts planning. Grounded in a qualitative case study and ethnographic methods, the research investigates how a community agriculture initiative facilitates closed-loop systems and negotiates land-use restrictions through adaptive governance strategies. Findings reveal that community gardening in the Green Wedge repairs metabolic flows through composting, soil care and waste recycling. The analysis also illustrates how grassroots initiatives overcome institutional constraints through collaborative networks. Beyond food production, the case reveals how community agriculture fosters care, cultural, ecological and social functions, thereby expanding the interpretations of Green Belts’ multifunctionality. The paper argues that these grassroots initiatives demonstrate Green Belts’ regenerative potential, suggesting a need to reconceptualise Green Belt policy to support multifunctional and locally embedded regenerative practices. This research presents an alternative vision for Green Belts’ futures, rooted in local action, multifunctionality and the restoration of urban metabolic relations. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
Keywords: Green Belts; community-based urban agriculture; metabolic rift; regenerative practice

This paper reflects on the latest situation with regard to planning for and with the Green Belt in England, within the context of recent changes to national planning policy. The paper summarises those changes, with a particular focus on the Grey Belt, a new planning designation designed to facilitate the release of Green Belt land for (housing) development. It explores how the new Grey Belt designation is intended to work and seeks early evidence regarding how it is working in practice, querying whether it will have the effect the UK Government hopes. The paper situates these questions within broader ongoing debates regarding the relevance of Green Belt designations and issues related to power and influence over planning decisions. It concluded that a better evidence base is needed to inform decisions about the Green and Grey Belt, and that a decision-making process which moves away from a dichotomous and opposition-driven approach would allow for better-quality outcomes. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
Keywords: Green Belt; housing; opposition; planning policy; Grey Belt; decision making; scenarios

Land is an economic resource, so the efficiency with which it is used is essentially an economic problem. This paper, therefore, approaches the issue from an economic perspective. Having surveyed the economic definitions of efficient allocation, both static and dynamic, the paper then examines the evidence from land markets relating to how Green Belts in England — and by extension, in other countries with similar policies — affect the efficiency with which land is used. Evidence is presented that they generate substantial price distortions, and these indicate not just inefficiency in land use but provide incentives for wasteful activities, the under-provision of land for housing and the over-provision for some other land-intensive uses. There is, moreover, evidence that they damage the allocation of resources over time, leading to lost economic growth. Economics is clear not only that green space generates benefits, especially when it is accessible and close to where people live, but that unregulated markets will not generate enough of it. Green Belt land is intended to prevent people living in it and provides no access or environmental protections. The most important land use in English Green Belts is intensive agriculture; one of the most environmentally damaging land uses. Evidence shows that Green Belt land does provide some benefits, but that these are highly localised; since those living close to or surrounded by Green Belt land tend to be richer, in aggregate Green Belts not only damage economic efficiency but redistribute welfare and housing assets to the relatively rich. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
Keywords: Green Belts; economic efficiency; housing affordability; housing supply constraints; land use regulation; commuting; market failure

This case study examines the evolving role of the Royal Armouries in Leeds, tracing its journey from a problematic public–private initiative to a dynamic cultural anchor actively contributing to regeneration, civic life and economic growth. Originally established as the national museum of arms and armour at the Tower of London, the Royal Armouries relocated its headquarters to Leeds in the 1990s as part of a bold decentralisation strategy. The museum was constructed at Leeds Dock under one of the UK’s earliest private finance initiative (PFI) deals, which, while enabling rapid development, imposed long-term constraints on the museum’s operational and financial autonomy. This paper explores how, following the UK Government’s 2018 buyout of its PFI partner, the Royal Armouries reasserted control over its estate and commercial operations, using the opportunity to recalibrate its business model and civic mission. Post-COVID-19 pandemic, the museum has significantly expanded its events and community programmes, invested in live interpretation and equestrian activities and aligned itself with city-wide regeneration agendas. The development of a new flexible events venue on the underutilised Tiltyard site exemplifies this shift, aiming to integrate immersive cultural content with conference infrastructure, thereby positioning the museum as both a heritage institution and a commercial centre. The case also situates the Armouries within broader strategic frameworks, including the Leeds Transformational Regeneration Partnership and the city’s inclusive growth agenda. The proposal for a new indoor jousting and events arena, if realised, will enhance Leeds’ national competitiveness in the conference market and catalyse development along the South Bank. This study demonstrates how a national museum, rooted in centuries-old traditions, can adapt to modern urban challenges and opportunities, transforming from a passive recipient of public funding into an active agent of placemaking, partnership and sustainable economic development. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
Keywords: cultural regeneration; heritage-led development anchor institutions; public–private partnerships; conference and events-led urban growth; waterfront revitalisation; inclusive growth; civic place-making

Conventional downtown or Main Street revitalisation efforts focus disproportionately on struggling businesses, often treating retail corridors as triage zones. Aid is commonly granted to ventures that lack the capacity or viability to recover or grow. This paper challenges that model and calls instead for a shift in conventional wisdom toward strengthening successful local businesses as catalysts for revitalisation. The reversal of that model is centred around helping thriving businesses become experiential anchors that generate consistent foot traffic and economic momentum that every business benefits from. Rather than extending the lifespan of unsustainable ventures, we should be building a framework where high-performing businesses raise the bar for the street and help generate ecosystems that attract new entrepreneurs, talent and private investment. The paper proposes an alternative way of measuring success: away from outputs such as grants disbursed, and toward long-term outcomes such as start-up survival, entrepreneurial renewal and talent retention. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
Keywords: downtown; revitalisation; city centre; anchor business; urban regeneration

Integrating leisure facilities can significantly enhance the liveliness of city centres. This transformation has led to the emergence of lifestyle centres — environments where living, visiting, working, shopping, socialising, sports and recreation coexist and reinforce one another, generating a unique dynamic. Places such as Manchester, Eindhoven and Copenhagen provide interesting examples of lifestyle centres. Leisure is not the (only) solution; the combination and integration of all these different functions create the dynamic environment. This ‘experience economy’ philosophy was first proposed by Pine & Gilmore. This paper explores the advantages of integrating leisure with other functions in city centres, how to get this process started and the role of the experience economy strategy. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
Keywords: lifestyle centres; experience economy; cities; leisure; urban regeneration

This paper seeks to understand how systems integration, specifically of stratified urban/green spaces and mobility systems, can transform and humanise industrial landscapes, creating new circular ecosystems. The case study of the industrial development of Sungei Kadut in Singapore, set for redevelopment over the next 20–30 years, serves as a prototype for a new generation of industrial estates and a testbed for the city’s zero waste policy. Two design research studies at the National University of Singapore (2019–20) explored the interaction between human-made and natural systems through the pedagogical framework of systems thinking and circularity. The research examined how flows and exchanges within and between systems shape the industrial landscape. The findings underscore the necessity of a multi-scalar approach, linking the architectural scale with the urban scale and establishing a reciprocal relationship between the parts and the whole. The study highlights how a three-dimensional (3D) planning strategy, which relegates transport and logistics to a subterranean layer, can free the ground plane for pedestrian-friendly public spaces, green areas and slow mobility options. This re-imagined ground plane enables the creation of biodiversity corridors, blue/green infrastructure and public spaces that enhance liveability, ecosystem services and social interaction. A key insight is the role of vertically stratified multimodal mobility systems, which integrate fast, intermediate and slow transit modes with city-wide infrastructure. This not only optimises the movement of goods and people but also facilitates resource sharing and synergistic relationships between different industrial, commercial and residential functions. As a result, industrial landscapes can evolve from segregated, mono-functional zones into dynamic, hybrid environments that blend live, work, learn and play. Crucially, this study suggests that circularity as a goal alters spatial thinking; the circular city is not simply an agglomeration of buildings but rather a system of flows and exchanges across permeable zones and interfaces. This research proposes a new industrial ecosystem that is vibrant, biodiverse, productive and sustainable. Findings point to the potential for future studies to refine methodologies for retrofitting existing industrial estates, developing comprehensive design guidelines for stratified public spaces, and investigating new spatial, programmatic and operational conditions that arise from integrating industry with transit and mixed-use developments. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
Keywords: public space and mobility systems; liveable and productive industrial districts; circularity

This study examines the spatial and design barriers that impede active transportation (AT) in the historic Juanda area of Central Jakarta, a context characterised by rich heritage, informal street life and multimodal transit integration. Employing a qualitative methodology encompassing field observation, spatial mapping and stakeholder interviews, the study identifies key challenges including inactive ground floor frontages, fragmented pedestrian infrastructure and the exclusion of informal economies. Drawing on human-scale urbanism and heritage-sensitive mobility frameworks, the paper formulates adaptive strategies that embrace, rather than displace, local sociocultural dynamics. The findings emphasise contextually embedded solutions that integrate informal trade, cultural practices and micro-mobility within walkable, living heritage corridors. Recommendations target urban planners, heritage conservationists and public space managers, highlighting pathways for regenerating urban environments that are sustainable, inclusive and responsive to the realities of Southeast Asian cities undergoing rapid modernisation. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
Keywords: active transportation (AT); walkability; pedestrian; connectivity; historical area; Juanda

Significant issues including dilapidated housing, poor sanitation systems and inadequate provision, operation and maintenance of utility services are underlying factors in the depletion of informal settlements in Pakistan. Furthermore, these issues are exacerbated by institutional inefficiencies in dealing with them. To address the challenges, the Orangi Pilot Project (OPP) was launched in Orangi Town, Karachi, by a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in collaboration with local residents and government agencies, using an internal–external model of participation. The aim of the study discussed in this paper was to better comprehend the methodology used in the internal–external model, as well as to review the sanitation programme implemented as part of the OPP and how it affected urban infrastructure and quality of life. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
Keywords: participatory planning practice; urban regeneration; informal settlement upgradation; OPP Karachi; sanitation

Hiedanranta, a post-industrial lakeside district in the City of Tampere, Finland, has emerged as a testbed for the city’s urban regeneration strategies. This practitioner paper examines the potential of the red-brick district in shaping attractive, resilient and adaptive urban futures through collaborative, inclusive and environmentally conscious urban planning. The paper examines how this former industrial zone is being transformed into a vibrant, multifunctional hub that seamlessly connects the city and nature, heritage and innovation and permanence and meaningful transformation for Tampere’s residents. Specifically, this paper sets out to ask: What has worked well in Hiedanranta? What lessons can be gathered from Tampere’s research-led urban renewal approach, and how might these insights be replicated in other cities around the world? The vision for the new district has been defined as follows: ‘Hiedanranta is a new lakeside district on the shores of Lake Näsijärvi, where work, activities, living and events are creatively intertwined. Together with Lielahti, it forms a new-generation sustainable and smart hub just minutes away from Central Square’. This paper will share the holistic thinking behind the district’s strategic master plan and evolution of ongoing regeneration efforts, illuminate the values embedded in the city’s change process, and explore the Hiedanranta district’s potential role in accelerating regenerative urbanism practices in the Finnish context. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
Keywords: Tampere; regenerative design; human-centric; cultural district; climate-neutral; liveable cities

This paper underscores the complexity of achieving sustainable and equitable cities, particularly within the mobility sector. Neither vehicle electrification nor a shift to sustainable transport modes — such as walking, cycling and public transit — can succeed in isolation. A comprehensive strategy that integrates both strategies is essential for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, revitalising urban infrastructure, and improving liveability. This piece highlights the importance of reshaping urban planning policies to promote investments in transit-oriented, dense and mixed-use environments centred on sustainable transit, rather than private vehicle use. The findings indicate that the successful implementation of such policies can significantly reduce emissions and yield considerable benefits that improve the built and social fabric of global cities. The example of Tianjin, China, which has made substantial investments into public space and transport infrastructure improvements over the last decade, provides key lessons and a replicable model for other major cities seeking to redesign car-centric infrastructure and highlights the value of non-motorised transport and people-oriented streets. Drawing on Tianjin’s efforts, this piece presents an evidence-backed case for taking a synergistic policy and investment approach towards compact urban planning and low-emission transport that successfully boosts civic engagement, accessibility and sustainability. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
Keywords: compact cities; transport electrification; sustainable mobility; GHG emissions; urban economies; Tianjin; China

COVID-19, the greatest pandemic since the turn of the century, presents several issues for urban planners — the most significant issue of which is finding appropriate measures for creating pandemic-friendly and resilient public parks. The study described in this paper aimed to propose strategies and guidelines to improve the resilience of public parks for future pandemic threats. This study was conducted in four stages. The first stage was to examine the evolution and transformation of public parks during pandemics globally, for which a literature review was conducted. The second stage was to identify the factors from the published literature that influence the resilience of public parks. The influencing factors were further categorised as access and linkage, sociability, uses and activities and comfort and image. In the third stage, two case studies of public parks in the COVID-19 hardest-hit localities were chosen for analysing the resilience of parks based on identified factors. The analysis of the identified factors was undertaken through field observation, questionnaire survey, activity mapping and buffer analysis. Following an overall assessment, the fourth stage was to develop strategies and guidelines for planning public parks to make them more efficient and resilient. The guidelines and strategies developed for public parks lead to improved quality, safety and resilience to future pandemics. Through qualitative methods, including surveys, observations and interviews, this study provides valuable insights into the evolving nature of public parks in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
Keywords: public spaces; public parks; post-pandemic; COVID-19; activity mapping

One of the main challenges of contemporary cities is the implementation of urban development plans. The plans that are frequently developed and approved with good intentions for different areas of the city stay on paper, which increases public mistrust in government organisations and puts an immense financial strain on the city and its citizens. One of the neighbourhoods dealing with this problem is Mashhad’s Abkooh, a former rural centre that has gradually been integrated into the city. Over the past two decades, three distinct urban development plans, primarily following top-down methodologies, have been devised for this neighbourhood. However, none have met their anticipated objectives, encountering substantial public opposition and various legal and managerial obstacles. The paper on which this study is based initially identifies the factors affecting the implementation of urban development plans through a literature review and then employs a qualitative approach using interviews with key informants, including long-term residents and local key informants of the neighbourhood, as well as the project managers. The study employs qualitative content analysis with a summarising approach to identify the challenges affecting the implementation of the Abkooh neighbourhood plans. The findings reveal that the implementation challenges with the latest approved plan for the neighbourhood can be categorised into three key areas: political context, economic context and legal requirements, all within the framework of the urban management and planning system. Therefore, the implementation challenges in each area may lead to varying outcomes depending on the prevailing conditions and specific requirements. Ultimately, adopting a new approach to the decision-making environment in urban development plans — by implementing transparent and participatory mechanisms, enhancing coordination among responsible organisations, ensuring adequate funding and promoting bottom-up strategies — can significantly improve the chances of project success. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
Keywords: implementation; urban development plans; Abkooh neighbourhood of Mashhad

Rapid industrialisation and urban expansion in India have led to an increasing demand for sustainable housing solutions for industrial workers. Noida, a key industrial hub in Uttar Pradesh in India, faces significant challenges in providing adequate, affordable and environmentally sustainable housing due to unplanned urban sprawl. Addressing these challenges requires a structured decision-making approach, as multiple interrelated factors — such as affordability, infrastructure, environmental impact and social well-being — make it difficult to interpret the best solutions without advanced analytical models. Multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA), particularly the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), has been widely used in urban planning and policy development to optimise complex decision-making by prioritising stakeholder preferences. This study applies MCDA and AHP methodologies to evaluate and enhance sustainable housing for industrial workers in Noida. By conducting surveys and interviews with industrial workers, industrialists and government authorities, the research identifies key barriers to sustainable housing and prioritises solutions. The study identifies affordability (33.1 per cent) as the top priority, followed by housing quality (16.48 per cent) and community empowerment (8.17 per cent), while life cycle cost (3.03 per cent), energy efficiency (3.31 per cent) and disaster-resistant design (3.45 per cent) rank lowest. Key recommendations include adopting International Labour Organization (ILO) housing standards, implementing affordable rental policies, promoting sustainable retrofits, ensuring transparent governance, raising awareness and supporting job creation. The findings highlight the effectiveness of MCDA-based approaches in optimising housing policies and provide a replicable framework for decision-making in other industrial cities. This research offers valuable insights for urban planners, policymakers and industry stakeholders, contributing to sustainable urban development and improved living conditions for industrial workers. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
Keywords: sustainable housing; criteria; AHP; MCDA; industrial workers; affordability

A significant new direction in achieving sustainable cities and communities is using information and communications technology (ICT) as tools for change. In coastal areas, there is limited use of ICT, affecting the value ICT can bring to beach management. Beach management systems should be used for environmental and ecological protection strategies. This short paper delves into an example of ICT usage in five coastal areas of Sanya, Hainan Island, China. In doing so, the correlation between the level of ICT usage and the level of illegal coastal fishing activities is explored. Using Sanya, South China, as a case study example helps to verify the significance of the ICT presence and its impact on minimising illegal fishing activities in coastal areas. This is a crucial step when considering ICT-enabling innovation rather than just closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera usage, exploring other sensory networks and real-time data collection methods, and developing ICT-mediated platforms such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and integrated beach management systems. The findings of this study open up further debate on the effective use of ICT for environmental protection strategies for coastal areas. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
Keywords: ICT-enabled innovation; beach management; environmental protection; ICT use; coastal fishing; illegal fishing

The concepts of resilience and adaptation are becoming increasingly relevant in urban planning, particularly in cities where climate change poses significant threats. These concepts should be linked to health and liveability to both turn risks into opportunities and safeguard the environment while improving the quality of life for citizens. This study explores the strategies implemented in a city like New York, which has embraced this ‘holistic’ approach over the past decade to enhance resilience while improving liveability, particularly through public space development. New York’s public spaces, including waterfronts, elevated parks and multifunctional urban parks, are key elements in addressing environmental challenges such as sea-level rise, storm surges and the urban heat island effect. The revitalisation of Hudson River Park demonstrates how urban green spaces can integrate natural flood defences and support biodiversity while remaining functional and accessible. The High Line, an elevated park, showcases the potential for reusing industrial infrastructure to create adaptive, vibrant public spaces, though it faces challenges such as overcrowding and heat exposure. Bryant Park, located in Midtown Manhattan, provides insights into managing smaller urban parks that accommodate diverse uses and heavy foot traffic while mitigating the effects of heat and overcrowding. This paper presents three case studies, which were analysed using an original methodology specifically ideated to identifying the effects of concurrent risks, people’s perceptions and possible projects or policies to improve urban adaptation and liveability. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
Keywords: resilience; adaptation; liveability; urban health; public spaces; urban planning; climate adaptation