Reuse First, New Build Second - Should we be Minimising New Builds?

In light of the climate emergency and the UK’s legal commitment to a net-zero economy by 2050, the conversation around prioritising retrofitting existing buildings over demolition and rebuild has never been more timely. However, the barriers to retrofit and reuse include a lack of policy, biased VAT rates, and the challenges of densifying urban and suburban areas while retaining existing buildings. So how do we collectively organise urban retrofit activities at scale to deliver significant environmental, social and economic benefits?