iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

📍 We are pleased to share that our work on converting commercial buildings into residential properties in Canadian cities was recently written up in one of Canada’s main daily newspapers, @theglobeandmail.com 📖 Read here: www.theglobeandmail.com/real-estate/...

theglobeandmail.com

The big payoff in converting old office buildings to residential use

Done right, it’s a win-win for housing and the environment

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

🏢Pall Mall is a deep retrofit of a Grade II listed office building located in Manchester, UK. 💡It has been transformed from a 1960s office building into a modern, sustainable hub for innovation, technology and science sectors.

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

💡 Efficiency-led retrofit projects have enormous potential to transform urban decarbonisation, provided policy, finance, and delivery mechanisms work together effectively.

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

🏠 The delivery of genuinely affordable, secure and socially supportive housing has emerged as a defining challenge across the urban retrofit landscape. These two recent additions to our case study library demonstrate different ways cities across Canada are exploring affordable housing delivery.

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

📢Urban Retrofit Co-Investigator and Planning Authorities Co-Lead Hannah Hickman (Assoc. Prof of Planning Practice at the @uwebristolofficial.bsky.social) is speaking at the @rtpiplanners.bsky.social 'Academia into planning practice' seminar on 11 June 2026.

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

💡 District-scale retrofits engage many more actors, more complex administrative structures and much larger budgets than building retrofits.

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

💡 'Bristol City Leap' is a world-first approach to decarbonisation at city scale. Delivering modernised and reliable heating, and creating social value in local communities, learn more about this Energy & Efficiency case study shared by the team at Vattenfall Heat UK for our case study bank. Read👇

urbanretrofit.housingevidence.ac.uk

Vattenfall and Bristol City Leap - Urban Retrofit

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

💡This new paper from Urban Retrofit project team Prof James White and Dr Jeff Biggar in Planning Practice & Research Journal explores how the adaptive reuse of commercial offices is gaining traction as a means of addressing housing affordability in Canada.

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

❗ Interested in the future of planning education? If you're in Glasgow tomorrow tomorrow afternoon, please do come along to our in-person seminar with Hannah Hickman (University of the West of England). Details and sign up in the thread below 👇

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

🧱 🏘️ Can retrofitting industrial parks help address the housing crisis? ✍ In this blog, Kathryn Firth explains an ongoing Arup study exploring how industrial parks could help solve the housing crisis by evolving into dense, mixed-use neighbourhoods that combine homes, jobs, and sustainability.

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

📍Sign up now for our free upcoming seminar with Hannah Hickman "Planners are society's humanisers": The expectations and motivations of 21st century planning students, taking place in-person 23 Apr 26 3:30-5pm at @glasgow.ac.uk 👉More info and tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ussp-and-u...

eventbrite.co.uk

USSP and Urban Retrofit seminar: “Planners are society’s humanisers”

This seminar will discuss the first large-scale survey of planning students in RTPI‑accredited schools in the UK and Ireland.

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

📍Join Dr Philip O'Brien and Prof James White on a tour of urban retrofitting sights in the biggest city in the American South, Atlanta in this most recent blog on our website: urbanretrofit.housingevidence.ac.uk/suburban-ret...

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

💡NEW BLOG: Celia Davis highlights that despite the crucial role of planning in addressing the climate crisis, in practice climate considerations are seldom practiced. Unless change occurs, the English planning system will be poorly equipped to respond to climate emergency.

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

Thanks @housingevidence.bsky.social for sharing the latest case study from our human-centred retrofit theme! All Urban Retrofit case studies can be found on our website: urbanretrofit.housingevidence.ac.uk/case-studies/

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

💡 In this third case study focusing on examples of human-centred retrofit, the Urban Retrofit team look at the Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia (AHANS). Read in full here: lnkd.in/e4CWdA_D 📍 To see all live case studies so far, see here: lnkd.in/eS8mxpvg

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

🌍 Retrofit is not new in Latin America's self-built neighbourhoods with people repairing, restoring, adapting and improving their environments for decades. [1/3]

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

📖 In our second case study focusing on examples of human-centred retrofit, we explore the Milton Parc Citizens' Committee in Montréal, Canada. Read here: urbanretrofit.housingevidence.ac.uk/case-studies... [1/5]

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

Human-centred retrofits are those which emphasise the social processes. Read more about Jane and Finch Centre Corner Commons project including challenges, results and lessons learned: urbanretrofit.housingevidence.ac.uk/case-studies...

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

In our first blog published in 2026, Dr Neale Blair reflects on the evolving iterations of regional development strategies in Northern Ireland with retrofit in focus. Read more: urbanretrofit.housingevidence.ac.uk/urban-retrof...

urbanretrofit.housingevidence.ac.uk

Urban Retrofit - Back to the Future? - Urban Retrofit

January is often a time of reflection, considering the year that is past whilst looking ahead to the next twelve months (and beyond). Perhaps it is the quinquennium nature of […]

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

The URBAN RETROFIT International Symposium concluded with some excellent discussions on retrofitting the historic environment; growth, risk, and the development industry; and governance and regulation. Look out for outputs on our website in due course.

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

After getting out and about the city, participants at the URBAN RETROFIT International Symposium got straight back into detailed discussions about design-aware retrofit, the density question, and scaling up retrofit initiatives.

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

It was an early start this morning for participants at the URBAN RETROFIT International Symposium, with four parallel walking tours around different areas of Glasgow - Govan, Laurieston, Dundashill, and the Avenues. Thanks to everyone who helped to organise the tours!

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

Tonight's provocative lecture by Prof Yvonne Rydin on post-growth got the audience thinking about different ways to think about the pervasive "growth economy". This stimulated a wealth of reflective commentary and ideas about the future of planning and urban retrofit.

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

Discussions continued at the URBAN RETROFIT International Symposium this afternoon, with a focus on communities, streets, public spaces, and the international experience including examples from Australia, Canada, Colombia, Europe, South Africa & The USA!

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

Over the next two days, the URBAN RETROFIT team and partners will participate in a series of parallel sessions and study tours. Underway now - some fantastic discussions on housing, climate, and planning, and a special session with reflections on and lessons from our recent Canada study tour!

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

The URBAN RETROFIT International Symposium is off to a great start in Glasgow, with participants from 5 continents! We kicked things off with the launch of our first major output- a systematic international evidence review- now available online. urbanretrofit.housingevidence.ac.uk/publications/

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

In this blog, Dr Sarah Payne argues that Labour’s growth agenda risks sidelining urban retrofit in favour of faster greenfield builds. Without clear support, retrofit may lose out to easier, less sustainable options. urbanretrofit.housingevidence.ac.uk/urban-retrof...

urbanretrofit.housingevidence.ac.uk

Urban Retrofit and the Growth Conundrum: Housebuilding under Labour’s Growth Agenda - Urban Retrofit

Labour’s commitment to deliver 1.5 million new homes over the next Parliament (approximately 300,000 per annum) represents a decisive intervention in national housing policy. Achieving this scale of d...

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 03/08/2025

Join us for a public lecture by Prof Yvonne Rydin (UCL) on her new book Planning Without Growth - exploring how planning systems can adapt to post-growth futures. 🗓️ 8 September 📍 The Social Hub Glasgow Followed by a panel discussion + drinks. 🔗 urbanretrofit.housingevidence.ac.uk/event/planni...

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

In this blog, Dr Ying Wang considers the challenges associated with delivering urban retrofit outcomes and what lessons might be drawn from some of the projects visited on the recent Urban Retrofit Study Tour of Canadian cities urbanretrofit.housingevidence.ac.uk/bridging-the...

urbanretrofit.housingevidence.ac.uk

Bridging the Implementation Gap: Lessons from Milton Parc and Beyond - Urban Retrofit

Urban Retrofit Research Associate, Dr Ying Wang, considers the challenges associated with delivering urban retrofit outcomes in the built environment and what lessons might be drawn from the project v...

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

On the morning of the second day of Urban Retrofit’s Canadian study tour we visited a series of build-to-rent office to residential adaptive reuse projects in Halifax and Dartmouth being developed by place-focused developer Sidewalk RED.

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

Organised by project team members Jeff Biggar and Graeme Stewart-Robertson from Dalhousie University, our first stop was Halifax where Kyle Miller from Build Nova Scotia gave us a fascinating tour of small and medium sized interventions that have transformed the city’s waterfont.

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

Urban Retrofit’s Canada study tour is well underway. We've been learning from retrofit, reuse and regeneration projects in Halifax, Montreal and Toronto — from waterfront interventions to tower retrofits and green laneways.

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

Is growth the problem? Join us on May 7 at UCL for an evening roundtable on post-growth planning with Dr Dan Durrant, Anna Pagani & Lucía Cerrada Morato. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/urban-retr...

eventbrite.co.uk

URBAN RETROFIT: Roundtable Discussion on Post-growth Planning

Join us at UCL on the evening of May 7 in Bentham House (UCL) for a discussion on post-growth planning.

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

🏗️🌍 Labour’s housing push risks more sprawl and car dependency. @profjtwhite.bsky.social and Andy Inch ask whether we can retrofit cities for a greener future instead. 🚶‍♂️🚲 theconversation.com/starmers-pla...

theconversation.com

Starmer’s plan to ‘build baby build’ risks more American-style car-dominated sprawl

Developers will always choose low-density suburbs at the edge of cities over more environmental alternatives.

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

We are delighted to welcome Husniya Kedr Denur to the project team. Husniya is committed to exploring how communities can adapt and thrive in the face of climate challenges through innovative and inclusive urban solutions. urbanretrofit.housingevidence.ac.uk/project-team...

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

We are excited to welcome Graeme Stewart-Robertson to the project team. Graeme is an environmental geographer and policy researcher based in Atlantic Canada, specialising in climate adaptation and sustainable development. urbanretrofit.housingevidence.ac.uk/project-team...

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

We are excited to welcome Dr Ying Wang to the project team. Her research revolves around two interrelated themes: urban regeneration and approaches to address ‘wicked’ urban problems. urbanretrofit.housingevidence.ac.uk/project-team...

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

We are excited to welcome Dr Jingyi Zhu to the project team. Jingyi joins as a Research Associate, bringing expertise in urban planning, design, and governance. Her research explores public space, place quality, and how people engage with cities. urbanretrofit.housingevidence.ac.uk/project-team...

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

The built environment contributes 25% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. To meet net zero targets, we need to retrofit our cities—not just buildings, but entire urban areas. Find out more about Urban Retrofit from @profjtwhite.bsky.social and Dr Phil O'Brien. youtu.be/v-M5pFghpAs

youtu.be

Urban Retrofit: About

YouTube video by UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

"What does it all mean? 🌍🏙️ @profjtwhite.bsky.social explores the definitions of retrofit and net zero in our first blog. 🔗 urbanretrofit.ac.uk/what-does-it...

Urban retrofitting – which seeks to improve what already exists rather than start again – has the potential to kick-start wider interventions that improve sustainability, increase resilience, and achieve efficiencies.

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Reposted by Urban Retrofit

Prof James White @profjtwhite.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

Today we’ve launched our new @urbanretrofit.bsky.social website and invite you to check it out. We are just getting started and there will be more to share as our project develops but do follow us on this exciting research journey.

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Urban Retrofit @urbanretrofit.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

We are delighted to announce that the website for Urban Retrofit is now live. Led by @profjtwhite.bsky.social and a team of researchers from institutions across the world, this ESRC-funded project is part of a £9.5m investment into place-based approaches to net-zero living. 🔗 urbanretrofit.ac.uk

urbanretrofit.ac.uk

Homepage - Urban Retrofit UK

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