Advocacy, Policy, and my mission for the "Home-Creators"
by Tanya Simeonova, Senior Architect & Associate
I am very pleased to share that I have become a member of the RIBA Expert Advisory Group for Planning and Housing.
As the sole representative from Wales in this cohort, I am grateful for the opportunity to bring a devolved perspective to the national stage. For me, this is more than a professional appointment; empowering our “Home-Creators” is a personal mission that drives my work – both as a member of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) and in my daily practice at Austin-Smith:Lord.
I am affirm believer that we need to democratise the planning process to support a more diverse and resilient housing market. Our current system’s “front-loaded” planning risk often makes it difficult for mission-driven organisations to compete. I want to spend my term with the EAG advocating for the housing cooperatives, land trusts, and Housing Associations who build for people, not just for profit.
During my time with the RIBA EAG, I will be exploring:
- Streamlined Planning Pathways: Identifying how we can use initiatives like the New Towns Programme as a “sandbox” to fast-track projects with clear community backing.
- Professional & Community Trust: Shifting towards a planning culture that rewards long-term stewardship and places more trust in the “home-caretakers” who manage these assets for decades.
- Active Engagement: Finding ways for Local Authorities and HAs to turn housing lists into active coalitions for development, ensuring future residents have a genuine stake in the process.
Housing is more than just delivering units; it is about creating long-term community assets. I look forward to collaborating with my fellow EAG members to develop policy recommendations that foster a truly inclusive housing sector.
I’d love to hear from my network: How can we better support community-led housing within our current planning framework?
