Two days ago, Lord Rogers’ 14-strong urban taskforce launched a report that could mark the beginning of a revolution in the planning, design and financial policies that govern our cities. With the backing of deputy prime minister John Prescott, the interim report of the urban taskforce has attempted to find strategies to reverse the decline of English city centres. Building Design’s sister title Building gained exclusive advance access to the report, which calls for a faster planning process and improved powers for local authorities to kick-start development. The taskforce also wants to see urban design promoted as a career option and changes to VAT rules to aid brownfield development. If these goals are not watered down in the final report, which is due in early summer, they will send a strong message to the government that local authorities, architects and housebuilders want radical change.
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