Reposted by Rob RichardsonRoyal Town Planning Institute @rtpiplanners.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Applications are now open for the 2026 round of RTPI Research Grants. We’re inviting eligible applicants to submit ambitious, high-quality proposals that could unlock fresh insights and practical knowledge for planning academics and practitioners. Learn more: www.rtpi.org.uk/new-from-the... 011
Rob Richardson @drrobrichardson.bsky.social · 25/09/2026End of a busy Welcome Week at @manchester.ac.uk It’s great to see the campus really come to life this week and to take in the excitement the students bring! 010
Reposted by Rob RichardsonDavid Ho @davidho.bsky.social · 22/09/2026Happy World Car-Free Day to all who celebrate!unep.orgWorld Car-Free Day on 22 September a great opportunity to reduce air pollutionEvery year on or around 22 September, cities across the globe celebrate World Car-Free Day, encouraging motorists to give up their cars for a day. The event highlights the numerous benefits of going c... 817943
Reposted by Rob RichardsonProf. Ian Walker @ianwalker.bsky.social · 15/09/2026The "War on Walking" is a great reframing of baked-in car dependency, and I'm sure I'll be using some of these images in future public talks 222357
Rob Richardson @drrobrichardson.bsky.social · 15/09/2026Reading the local news you’d think Greater Manchester was just motorways and car parks. Thank goodness for the black pudding contest! 010
Rob Richardson @drrobrichardson.bsky.social · 11/09/2026Back from a great few days in Cardiff for UK-Ireland Planning Research Conference #UKIPRC2026. Always an enjoyable conference - the Tiger Bay walking tour this year especially 020
Reposted by Rob RichardsonUrban Truth Collective @urbantruth.bsky.social · 10/09/2026Don’t buy the lie about a war on cars. They’ve been waging a WAR ON WALKING for a century. #UrbanTruth #WarOnWalking 6428132
Reposted by Rob RichardsonTown and Country Planning Association @thetcpa.bsky.social · 27/08/2026🏘️ Design quality is often decided before planning, at the point land is valued. At Ensleigh & Mulberry Park in Bath, BaNES used Concept Statements to set design & affordability expectations before land was sold, turning quality into part of the site's value. Read more in the blog👇 buff.ly/L8Pn4jOtcpa.org.ukWhy better placemaking starts at land valuation: Lessons from Ensleigh and Mulberry Park in Bath 002
Reposted by Rob RichardsonGravel Influencer @gravelinfluencer.bsky.social · 19/08/2026This study is a good reminder that building cities where children can thrive means reducing car dependency and designing streets centered around people 1558131
Reposted by Rob RichardsonFaculty of Humanities @uomhums.bsky.social · 14/08/2026💷 #ClimateChange isn't just causing the environment to break down: it’s also causing the cost of everything to go up. But the concern isn't just with the impact on wallets. Rising costs also effect social inequality, political radicalization, and geopolitical instability: ow.ly/7oTy50ZzNbg 121
Reposted by Rob RichardsonBrent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 15/08/2026Driving is really expensive for all of us. And these studies are likely still underestimating the the climate and pollution costs, which we’re arrogant to assume we fully understand. #CityMakingMath 36026
Reposted by Rob RichardsonThe University of Manchester @manchester.ac.uk · 10/08/2026How can canals like these cool us down in heatwaves? ⬇️☀️ Urban canals can reduce nearby temperatures by 1.5–2.3°C, reducing levels of heat stress for those nearby, meaning millions could benefit from this crucial cooling effect as temperatures continue to rise. www.nature.com/articles/s41... 072
Reposted by Rob RichardsonAdam Schwarz @adamjschwarz.bsky.social · 24/07/2026When the story of why humanity didn't stop climate change is written, it will feature front pages like this. Even as the skies blacken with climate change-induced wildfires, right wing media continue their relentless crusade against measures to tackle it. 23247472019
Rob Richardson @drrobrichardson.bsky.social · 24/07/2026The paper is available open access here: doi.org/10.1016/j.pr...doi.orgRedirecting 000
Rob Richardson @drrobrichardson.bsky.social · 24/07/2026Pleased the paper I co-authored with @profjtwhite.bsky.social and Gareth James @uofgussp.bsky.social on placemaking in post-devolution Scotland has been shortlisted for the RTPI Patsy Healey Award for Academic Excellence. Congrats to all finalists! @uomspal.bsky.social @uomseed.bsky.social 243
Rob Richardson @drrobrichardson.bsky.social · 14/07/2026What a difference creating places for people rather than cars makes 010
Reposted by Rob RichardsonTransport for New Homes @transportfornewhomes.org.uk · 13/07/2026Latest post on the blog, we look at a new model for community-led regeneration and placemaking. www.transportfornewhomes.org.uk/large-scale-...transportfornewhomes.org.ukLarge-scale housing site being delivered by the communityA new model for community-led regeneration, placemaking. 044
Reposted by Rob RichardsonYonah Freemark @yonahfreemark.com · 07/07/2026A new report from @frontiergroup.bsky.social shows how some states have reduced vehicle miles traveled per capita: frontiergroup.org/resources/wh... One key explanation: Land use! ⏬ States with higher population densities have less car travel! And states that grew through density reduced driving! 49326
Reposted by Rob RichardsonBob From Accounts 🚲 @bobfromaccounts.bsky.social · 06/07/2026New separated cycle lanes popping up on Shaftesbury Ave. All it takes is political will + the removal of some unnecessary parking spaces. London is becoming a cycling city, reflecting a generational shift that recognises driving in urban areas as slow, inefficient use of time. 1331546
Rob Richardson @drrobrichardson.bsky.social · 03/07/2026The full paper I presented is available to read open access at: doi.org/10.1016/j.pr...doi.orgRedirecting 010
Rob Richardson @drrobrichardson.bsky.social · 03/07/2026On the way back from an engaging few days at @gpean-planning.bsky.social World Planning Schools Congress at Aalto University. I presented my recent paper on Placemaking in Scotland in a lively session - much to discuss with other presenters and attendees on discretion, centralisation & more #WPSC26 141
Rob Richardson @drrobrichardson.bsky.social · 15/06/2026Super (sunny) day in Morecambe to visit the Eden project site and hear about the Levelling Up Fund process. Exciting time for the town and its regeneration plans. 011
Reposted by Rob RichardsonSpatial Policy & Analysis Lab @uomspal.bsky.social · 14/06/2026New paper from Xinyue Dong and Mark Baker examining the constraints facing neighbourhood forums in urban, unparished areas of England: www.liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/10.3828/...liverpooluniversitypress.co.ukPlanning in the margins: reflections on forum-led neighbourhood planning in England | Town Planning ReviewThis article examines the institutional constraints facing neighbourhood forums in urban, unparished areas of England. Although neighbourhood planning aims to empower communities, neighbourhood forums remain non-statutory and rely on local planning ... 011
Rob Richardson @drrobrichardson.bsky.social · 13/06/2026This morning fulfilled my transport-nerd ambition of getting my local ‘parliamentary’ train service from Reddish South. The 5th least used station in the UK last year with 102 passengers in total. Just two trains a week - Stalybridge to Stockport (and back) on Saturday mornings. 020
Reposted by Rob RichardsonUN-Habitat @un-habitat.bsky.social · 10/06/2026It is about recognizing that people experience cities differently based on gender, age, disability, income, and caregiving responsibilities - and ensuring these realities are reflected in how we design and manage urban spaces. 101
Reposted by Rob RichardsonFaculty of Humanities @uomhums.bsky.social · 08/06/2026104 matches. 16 cities. One major climate cost. ⚽ Experts warn that the environmental cost of global sport is rising rapidly, and FIFA must change their approach to reduce football’s environmental impact. @manchester.ac.uk #FIFA #Football 🔗 www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/e... 053
Rob Richardson @drrobrichardson.bsky.social · 09/06/2026One of the many reasons we take the Urban Design & International Planning students to Vienna. The city does so much on placemaking and urban liveability. 010
Rob Richardson @drrobrichardson.bsky.social · 03/06/2026Really interesting to find out about town centre regeneration in Leigh and Ashton with Wigan Council yesterday. Loads of great things going on, and lots to learn about navigating complex national regen funding to shape places locally 011
Reposted by Rob RichardsonTown and Country Planning Association @thetcpa.bsky.social · 28/05/2026This short guide highlights the design & placemaking interventions that local authorities can use to enhance the climate resilience of places. This resource is sponsored by LUC, as part of the TCPA & @rtpiplanners.bsky.social 's Climate Guide: www.tcpa.org.uk/resources/de... 003
Reposted by Rob RichardsonUrban Truth Collective @urbantruth.bsky.social · 24/05/2026Remember, if you plan cities for cars and traffic, you get cars and traffic. If you plan cities for people and places, you get people and places. Via Fred Kent & @ppsplacemaking.bsky.social. #UrbanTruth 4352106
Reposted by Rob RichardsonCampaign for Better Transport @bettertransport.bsky.social · 24/05/2026Transport accounts for 3/4 of total UK oil consumption. What people urgently need is: • Good, affordable public transport • Safe walking & cycling • 'Mobility hubs' which bring together public transport, shared cars, bikes & e-scooters road.cc/news/16-orga...road.cc“The UK deserves real transport choice for everyday journeys”: 16 organisations call PM to invest in active travel to combat rising fuel pricesSixteen organisations are calling on the PM to set a national mode shift target, invest in buses, rail and active travel to give people affordable alternatives to driving, and reduce reliance on volat... 04817
Rob Richardson @drrobrichardson.bsky.social · 21/05/2026And a missed opportunity to encourage people to drive less instead 010
Reposted by Rob RichardsonJohn Munro @johnmunro.bsky.social · 20/05/2026#UKCarCulture has well established that collaborating with nasty regimes is preferable to taking the chance that a car owner might encounter inconvenience. No surprises here.bbc.co.ukUK loosens Russian oil sanctions as fuel prices riseThe waiver reflects increasing supply concerns over certain fuels due to the effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. 1136
Reposted by Rob RichardsonNatalie Bennett @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social · 20/05/2026#ClimateAdaptation As in so many areas of security, the UK is terribly under-prepared www.theguardian.com/environment/...theguardian.comUK ‘built for climate that no longer exists’ and needs urgent changes to survive global heating, report warnsLandmark report calls for widespread air conditioning and says UK temperatures forecast to exceed 40C by 2050 510144
Rob Richardson @drrobrichardson.bsky.social · 06/05/2026Popped into the Inspiration exhibition, part of the @railway200.bsky.social celebrations, at Stockport station earlier this week. A great initiative and it was fun to take part in the occasion! 000
Rob Richardson @drrobrichardson.bsky.social · 04/05/2026Sheppey does have particular challenges over lack of public transport. But this is happening all over and is highly indicative of the motornormativity we’re stuck in 010
Rob Richardson @drrobrichardson.bsky.social · 04/05/2026What an empty car park tells us about the UK's debt problem www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... Also that people are happy to pay £1000s/year to General Motors and Shell, but not a few £s to the council to fund public services. Which would otherwise be collected through higher taxes if not parking feesbbc.co.ukWhat an empty car park says about one of the UK's poorest areasThe BBC has been speaking to people living in one of England's poorest communities. 130
Reposted by Rob RichardsonRoyal Town Planning Institute @rtpiplanners.bsky.social · 13/04/2026Calling all planning practitioners, researchers, students & academics: There's only 1 month left to enter the 2026 Awards for Research Excellence, which recognise & promote high-quality spatial planning research from RTPI-accredited planning schools. Enter today: www.rtpi.org.uk/researchawards 012
Rob Richardson @drrobrichardson.bsky.social · 03/05/2026Concepts like local living and 15 minute neighbourhoods are much more useful (in practice, if not in politics…) for delivering this than the nostalgic focus on high streets of the past. 110
Rob Richardson @drrobrichardson.bsky.social · 03/05/2026Likewise there’s a big difference between the function of ‘high streets’ in smaller towns and large retail areas in cities. Broader question is around ensuring people have services and social infrastructures nearby - which also give life to places - wherever they are. 110
Rob Richardson @drrobrichardson.bsky.social · 03/05/2026Notwithstanding some really important issues, the ‘high street’ is becoming an increasingly mythical construct. The high street from say the 1970s, before out of town shopping centres and retail parks, and well before online retail, is long gone www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukDon't ignore plight of High Streets, voters say, as local elections approachFailing High Streets fuel a wider sense of political discontent which could prove crucial in the upcoming elections for English councils in May. 121
Reposted by Rob RichardsonThe London Economic @thelondoneconomic.bsky.social · 28/04/2026As predictable as night following daythelondoneconomic.comOil giant BP sees profits more than double as Iran war pushes oil prices upBP have announced huge profits for the first quarter of the year thanks to the spike in oil prices caused by the Iran war. 15018
Reposted by Rob RichardsonPr Carlos Moreno - IAE Paris1 Sorbonne University @carlosmorenofr.bsky.social · 28/04/2026Amazing job by www.urbantruthcollective.com 🙌 👍🏼 The real “urban conspiracy” isn’t proximity, it’s distance. The “One-Hour City” traps millions in long commutes, car dependence and lost time. We need cities of proximity, time, and quality of life 🙏🏻 @brenttoderian.bsky.social @urbantruth.bsky.social 211236
Reposted by Rob RichardsonLiving Streets @livingstreets.bsky.social · 19/04/2026It's happening! 📢 On Tuesday, MPs will consider an amendment to enable local leaders to ban pavement parking in their area. We need you to help us get this amendment on to the Bill. Ask your MP to agree to Amendment 265 when it's considered on Tuesday: bitly.livingstreets.org.uk/4tMU2Uq 1116294
Reposted by Rob RichardsonThe University of Manchester @manchester.ac.uk · 17/04/2026Scientists at The University of Manchester have developed a new way to measure how traffic contributes to rising urban temperatures, revealing that everyday vehicle use can play a measurable role in making cities warmer. doi.org/10.1029/2025... 012
Rob Richardson @drrobrichardson.bsky.social · 27/03/2026New paper with @profjtwhite.bsky.social & Gareth James has been finalised in Progress in Planning. We explore Scotland’s placemaking agenda compared to rest of the UK, identify several implementation challenges, and consider how best to deliver placemaking through planning doi.org/10.1016/j.pr...doi.orgRedirecting 001
Rob Richardson @drrobrichardson.bsky.social · 22/03/2026Final couple of days of the MUD-Lab MSc Urban Design & International Planning study tour complete. We finished the week with Donau City, campus of the University of Business and Economics, and Aspern Seestadt. Now a bit of time for everyone to finish exploring Vienna before heading home tomorrow 021
Rob Richardson @drrobrichardson.bsky.social · 20/03/2026Great first few days of the MUD-Lab Study Tour in Vienna with MSc Urban Design & International Planning students. So far we’ve visited the Ringstrasse, historic centre, Mariahilfe Strasse and Museumsquartier, Nordbahnhof development and Alterlaa. No better place to consider design, past and present 060
Rob Richardson @drrobrichardson.bsky.social · 11/03/2026It was fun taking first years round Fallowfield last week as part of my placemaking module. Gathering observations and ideas for their SWOT analysis coursework. My recce earlier in the week was much sunnier than the field visit itself! 000