The findings come in the wake of Lord Rodgers' landmark report published in 1999 on the Urban Renaissance, which urged more efficient public transport, decent schools, shops and proper policing if the middle classes are to be attracted back to the city centres. Today's study carried out by the RICS Foundation and funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, looked at the obstacles that remain and what can be done to bring about change in this area. And planners need to be more flexible. Some local authorities are more helpful than others and set up project teams to help develop brownfield sites, but others are less interested. We found that people still want their cars and builders will have to develop 1-1.5 spaces per dwelling within the curtilage of the property.
Security is also important.
On the whole, people are prepared to live in city in their 20s, but once they have children they tend to move to the suburbs. If you wish to comment on this article please e-mail us here at the Property Forum News Team. All rights reserved.