Good urban development does more than provide places to work and sleep. Architects and investors increasingly see development as a way to create social good by encouraging social interaction, supporting commerce and creating long-term, sustainable value.

The annual International Mass Timber Conference in Portland USA is the world’s largest gathering of mass timber experts. It was also the starting point for Women in Timber, a global grassroots movement helping spread the word about the possibilities of mass timber.

There’s a growing recognition that neurodiversity may be far more common than traditionally assumed. While offices have historically been designed for the neurotypical majority – roughly 80-90 percent of employees – some researchers now suggest that as many as 50 percent of people, and perhaps even up to 80 percent, exhibit neurodiverse traits at some level.

It takes all sorts of people to run a successful business. So why are many office environments designed just for those who thrive in noisy, open and stimulating environments?

Construction is sometimes described as lagging in productivity. But things are changing. Workflow optimization methods, such as Lean Construction, are having a transformative effect, with an apartment block built in only six months just one of the startling outcomes.

With much of the world experiencing shortages of clean water, new ways are needed to ensure supply to both communities and businesses. In the UK, water company Anglian Water is working with Skanska and other partners to strengthen water resilience with solutions such as smarter infrastructure, digital monitoring and nature-based solutions.

What makes a workplace truly work for everyone? In this episode, we delve into the growing field of neuroinclusive design, exploring how neuroscience and smart architecture are transforming our office environments.