Victorian Health Building Authority’s Post

The effort, called “Ur In Luck,” also includes a plan to build 46 new restrooms and renovate 36 of the city’s approximately 1,000 facilities over the next five years. #JLLgovernment #government #governmenttrends #futureofwork

I've been in this industry long enough to remember when mental health wasn't talked about, largely because we didn’t understand it. Now, we know it’s key to overall well-being, yet the *infrastructure supporting it* is often overlooked. That’s why we're proud at TOCCI to be part of the Eleanor Slater Hospital renovation. This project goes beyond bricks and mortar—we're creating spaces that prioritize healing, safety, and dignity for both patients and staff. In this renovation, we’re focused on more than just physical upgrades; we’re creating an environment that fosters recovery, growth, and resilience. Modernizing this facility isn’t just about improved technology or better workflow—it’s about providing a sanctuary where mental health can be supported holistically, from thoughtful design to patient-centered care. We're excited to partner with the state of Rhode Island and @NEMD Architects to bring innovative design and construction methods to this vital project, ensuring that Eleanor Slater Hospital becomes a place where patients receive not only top-tier care but also feel supported in their mental health journey. Let’s keep building spaces that make a difference.

"45,000 half-empty public buildings; countless possibilities." At Urbana Systems™, we see these underutilized spaces not as challenges, but as opportunities. With innovative solutions like SmartWalls™ and LabHabitat™, we transform distressed and underperforming properties into profitable, vibrant, sustainable, intelligent, multi-use spaces. Whether it’s revitalizing urban centers, creating self-sustaining communities, or maximizing ROI for stakeholders, we have the tools and expertise to lead the way. Let’s rethink what’s possible. Partner with Urbana Systems to convert distressed and vacant properties into thriving opportunities. https://lnkd.in/egis8gP #Sustainability #CRE #SmartSolutions #UrbanRevitalization #SustainableInnovation

An increasing number of properties such as commercial and office spaces, schools, factories, hospitals, and churches are standing vacant in cities around the world. COVID-19 further exacerbated pre-existing trends toward greater remote work and consequent office vacancies. Join us on April 23rd for AARP’s Next Equity by Design webinar, Vibrant Encores: Vacant Buildings Helping to Solve the Housing Crisis, where we will be discussing how cities of all sizes around the world are converting these #VacantBuildings into other uses, including much needed #AffordableHousing for people as they age.  Register for this opportunity to discuss with the experts behind the work https://bit.ly/48MyfkS #housingcrises

Planning regulations can seem boring, but they make a big difference to how we live. Regulations about how offices, shops and other buildings can be converted into housing are complicated. Evan Edinger has made it simple but still managed to convey the full story. In principle, re-using buildings for housing is good for the environment and housing supply, but it needs to come with safeguards for health and wellbeing. #PDRhousing #healthyhousing Check out Evan's vlog https://lnkd.in/ggCgVien And our paper about the health and wellbeing impacts is now published in a peer-reviewed journal here: https://lnkd.in/gkQcTHzQ

This is an interesting perspective on Secured by Design or Design Out Crime or Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design in other countries. Long on our radar about potential implications of SBD guidelines on healthy places/ public health agendas. But how has SBD become so prominent in planning and design decisions? The Police aren’t a statutory consultee as far as I am aware. But they have been effective is getting their voice heard in planning, maybe related to a lot of capacity invested in Architectural Liaison Officers locally. Something for public health to take note at least that not being a stat con doesn’t mean your contributions can’t be taken seriously in planning. #securedbydesign #healthyplanning #healthyplaces #CPTED #spatialplanning https://lnkd.in/dNeZNjJ3

Anyone who's worked in the open spaces sector knows that developing benchmarks for open spaces and achieving consensus is no small task. In recent years, in an effort to add nuance to historic benchmarks like 2.83 hectares per 1,000 people and to consider factors like quality and accessibility (which are very important!), we've swung to the other extreme, where the required quantum of open space has taken a back seat. This approach can be quite misleading because it might suggest that the same amount of open space is needed whether 100 people or 100,000 people are in a given area, as long as everyone has access to some kind of open space. This graphic we developed during Covid demonstrates that it's crucial to provide enough open space proportional to the population, while making sure that they are high quality and are well-connected. Quality and accessibility should complement our open space network, not serve as a substitute for it. This will ensure our places are resilient and continue to have a high standard of living. #openspaceplanning #socialinfrastructure

Having applied for a role at the Office for Place several months back, as it turned out it was the day before the General Election was announced, I said to myself, I don't think I'm going to work there because in 6 months time this office may not exist...... and so am somehat bemused that this has actually come to pass..... 😵 In a statement today, Matthew Pennycook Minister of State for Housing and Planning announced that" "In taking the decision to wind up the Office for Place, the government is not downgrading the importance of good design and placemaking, or the role of design coding in improving the quality of development. Rather, by drawing expertise and responsibility back into MHCLG, I want the pursuit of good design and placemaking to be a fully integrated consideration as the government reforms the planning system, rolls out digital local plans and provides support to local authorities and strategic planning authorities. I also believe that embedding this work within MHCLG will allow experience to be better reflected in decision-making, as well as integrated within an existing delivery team in Homes England already focused on design and placemaking" It will also ensure continuity of current Office for Place key activities, including support for Pathfinder authorities who received a share of £1 million to produce exemplar design codes, alongside work on digital design codes and funding to support local and regional urban design best practice and skills. The government regards improving the design and quality of the homes and neighbourhoods we will build over the coming years as conducive to, rather than in tension with, our ambition to significantly increase housing supply, and we have put in place the necessary policy and delivery framework to ensure we deliver on both objectives". It will be interesting to see whether they manage to achieve this going forward albeit I'm making a prediction...... which I'm keeping to myself for the time being, but watch this space...... 💜 #urbandesign #design #designquality #Lawley

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has launched a nearly $4 million initiative to fund research aimed at increasing affordable housing availability, focusing on innovative solutions like office-to-residential conversions. This effort addresses the critical shortage of affordable homes, especially in urban areas where demand is highest. Read more about how this could affect your community: https://lnkd.in/gJ4f-DNZ Key initiatives include: - Office Conversion Studies: Exploring the transformation of vacant offices into homes, with a focus on financial viability and policy incentives. - Innovative Construction Methods: Researching manufactured housing and zoning reforms to boost supply and lower costs. - Pilot Programs and Policy Analysis: Developing strategies for off-site construction and examining the effects of local zoning reforms on housing affordability. #HUD #AffordableHousingInnovation #SustainableDevelopment #HousingForAll