OUR MISSIONS
We have five missions.
We aim to provide a forum for public and specialist debate on urban development.
UDRO is not a political or social campaign. UDRO strives to provide a reliable and objective forum where individuals can express their take on the state of urban development today and in the future.
UDRO is interested in a diversity of views. The essential criteria for accepting submissions are concision, clarity of expression, adequate referencing, relevant subject matter, a compelling argument, and originality. The article must deal with some aspect of urban development and will critique it and/or offer a way forward.
Commencing March 2026, the UDRO will publish at least two new articles per month online. All successful submissions will also be featured in UDRO's 2026 Law and Policy Review paper, which will be published internationally, online and in print.
We aim to propose specific law and policy reform in the UK and in other jurisdictions through our 2026 Urban Development Law and Policy Review: UK and International paper, due to be published in 2026.
The Law and Policy Review paper is arguably our most important product. The paper will feature coherent, credible, and pragmatic law and policy reform proposals regarding urban development in the UK and in selected other jurisdictions.
The paper will be published in late-2026, online and in print.
We aim to identify and protect undesignated heritage assets under threat from demolition.
UDRO takes the view that buildings and other structures of historical significance are crucial to the happiness, identity, and prosperity of urban populations. They also offer surprising financial advantages to urban developers, though this potential is seldom realised. UDRO also takes the view that, particularly in the UK, buildings and structures of historical significance are under-protected, both in law and policy. As a result, they are being knocked down and replaced with modern buildings and structures at an alarming rate. The damage is irreversible. In addition to law and policy reform efforts under Mission 2, UDRO is committed to identifying heritage assets (in particular those which are not designated as such) and fighting to protect them. UDRO's position is to operate a strong presumption that preserving a historic building or structure serves the public interest. UDRO will do all within its power to support efforts to protect them.
We aim to investigate allegations of corruption and other improper relationships between government and private developers.
Across the Western world, a new, difficult-to-detect and sophisticated form of corruption is underway: direct and indirect relationships between government and private developers. These relationships are the product of a defective real estate industry, property price inflation, weak anti-corruption machinery and ultimately a misguided approach to the way we develop our cities.
UDRO is perhaps the only non-governmental organisation devoted to identifying, investigating, and exposing corruption and other improper relationships between government and private developers. UDRO Specialists draw on years of relevant knowledge and experience to undertake effective investigations. This is perhaps the most sensitive work UDRO undertakes. UDRO operates strong internal and external information firewalls to protect confidential information, though it reserves the right to refer externally any information the Chief Executive believes should be reported to law enforcement agencies.
We aim to provide informal, confidential advice to residents and business-owners fighting urban development proposals.
UDRO does not purport to offer legal services. UDRO is not regulated by the SRA or any other regulatory body. Instead, when deemed possible by the Chief Executive, UDRO will provide informal advice to residents and business-owners fighting actual or proposed development projects. UDRO recognises the insufficient legal advice currently on offer for free. UDRO does not charge for any advice it provides, and all advice provided is subject to a strong recommendation to seek formal advice from a legal professional.