Networks and support

British Property Federation (BPF) describes itself as the voice of the real estate industry in the UK. Their members are owners, funders, agents and advisors. They have a number of Committees and Working Groups, including one on Sustainability and Residential ESG. See here for their full list of groups.

Home Builders Federation (HBF) describes itself as the representative body of the home building industry in England and Wales and report than HBF’s member firms account for some 80% of all new homes built in England and Wales in any one year. They have substantial information on Biodiversity Net Gain, but have archived the now discontinued Zero Carbon agenda. They do have a various news releases and policy documents on sustainability and Net Zero, and have resources on mental health within their industry (and health and safety).

National Housing Federation (NHF) describes itself as the voice of England’s housing associations. Their members provide homes for around six million people, and they state they are driven by a social purpose: providing good quality housing that people can afford. They have various resources on health and housing, and provide guidance on measuring social value.

UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) describes itself as the voice of the UK’s sustainable built environment. Its 700+ members are mainly private sector, but also has 40+ local authority members. Most of its focal areas are related to environmental sustainability – climate change adaptation and mitigation, nature based solutions and resource use – but it also has a Health, Wellbeing and Social Value strand and have produced a Framework for Defining Social Value.

Urban Land Institute (ULI) describes itself as the oldest and largest network of cross-disciplinary real estate and land use experts in the world. Headquartered in the USA, it has offices around the world including the UK and Europe. They have a number of ‘product councils’, including, in the UK, in sustainability and urban regeneration. See here for details. They have a Building Healthy Places Toolkit and report, and have co-produced a road map for social value in real estate: Zooming in on the “S” in ESG.

Transport Planning Society (TPS): ‘A society to facilitate, develop and promote best practice and innovation in transport planning and provide a focus for dialogue between all those engaged in it whatever their background.’

Possible: focus on getting more people involved in the transition to a zero carbon UK.

Modeshift STARS: recognises schools, businesses and organisations that have shown excellence in supporting cycling, walking and other forms of sustainable and active travel.

Institute of Civil Engineers  (ICE) a voice for civil engineers and those working in infrastructure with 97,000 members globally.

Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) a global professional membership body for excellence in architecture. The have published a City Health Check and advice on the latest standards.

Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) sets standards for more than 130,000 members and candidates operating globally in the development and management of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure. See their insight on Cities, health and wellbeing and Evidence supporting a cost-benefit analysis of incorporating health.

Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) responsible for maintaining professional standards and accrediting world class planning courses nationally and internationally. See their specific resources on health.

Urban Design Group (UDG) a campaigning membership organisation aiming to improve the quality of life in urban places by raising standards of design.

Academy of Urbanism (AoU) a non-for profit organisation bringing together expert leaders, thinkers and practitioners. Members work with places to identify and reinforce their strengths, using best practice from urban design to better understand how the development and management of towns and cities can provide a better quality of living.

Housing Associations’ Charitable Trust (HACT) a charity representing the social housing sector. They have provide a UK Social Value Bank that helps to measure your social and environmental impact through improvements to wellbeing and savings made to the state.

Impact on Urban Health fund and run programmes aimed at addressing health inequalities that mostly affect people who live in cities – children’s health and food, multiple long-term conditions, health effects of air pollution and children’s mental health.

Quality of Life Foundation (QoLF) lead research and engagement to improve people’s quality of life by changing the way the housing industry and government acquires, plans, designs, builds and manages homes and neighbourhoods.

Shelter housing and homelessness charity.

Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) a membership campaign group focusing on issues such as climate change, community participation, garden cities and new towns, healthy place-making and parks and green infrastructure. They have published a practical resource for practitioners to use when working together to enable the creation of healthy-weight environments through the English planning system.

Building Research Establishment strategic advice, testing and certification services.