New Towns

Putting the Hope into Housing?

We stand on the precipice. With 1.3 million people on the housing waiting lists in the UK, the government cannot afford not to act. 

Elected just under a year ago on a promise to deliver much needed homes and to sweep aside the blockers, the government launched a New Homes Task Force in September 2024. 

This is a once in a generation opportunity for the UK with a dizzying scale of ambition – but can we deliver? 

The government wants to build 12 new towns inspired by a visit to Nansledan, Cornwall. But what will these new towns look like, who will they serve and where will they be?

In the rush to provide much needed housing, how do we ensure they are real places and not just sprawling characterless housing estates? 

From 1946 – 1970 the British Government built 32 new towns, many of which are now thriving. Can New Towns, Brabazon and Sherford, learn from the successes and failures of the twentieth century New Towns such as Harlow and Milton Keynes?  

Come & find out what the government have to say. 

Will this solve the housing crisis? 

Coming soon to a green field near you?

Our Speakers

• Russell Curtis, RCKa Architects
• Biljana Savic, MHCLG 
• Jack Shaw, Labour Together
• West of England Elected Mayor

About Our Speakers

Russell Curtis, RCKa

Russell is a founding director of RCKa, a London-based practice that specialises in innovative residential, community and commercial projects. The practice has twice been a finalist for Young Architect of the Year, and in 2014 was the recipient of an RIBA National Award for its TNG Youth & Community Centre as well as winning the inaugural RIBA London Emerging Practice of the Year.

Biljana Savic, MHCLG

Biljana is the Head of Placemaking at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. She is passionate about the role of urbanism and architecture in improving people’s quality of life, and an unfailing advocate for creative and responsible placemaking. 

Jack Shaw, Labour Together

Jack joined Labour Together having spent a decade working in, with and for local government. He specialises in regional economics, devolution, local government and industrial policy – and in particular how policy interacts with practice. He is currently a Fellow at The Productivity Institute at University of Manchester and the Bennett Institute for Public Policy at the University of Cambridge, as well as a trustee at homelessness charity Justlife.

Chair: Pippa Goldfinger

The event takes place at Arnolfini, Bristol, BS1 4QA