Grand Theft Auto 6 is projected to make an eye-watering $3 billion in its first year on sale.Rockstars hotly anticipated open-world crime caper is currently due out fall 2025 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S, with no word on a PC release for now.A new report by the Financial Times, based on analysis by video game research group DFC Intelligence, predicts GTA 6 will exceed $1 billion in pre-orders before it even launches. Surprising no-one, GTA 6 is expected to be the biggest entertainment launch of 2025, ahead of any movie or competing video game.DFC predicted total revenue from GTA 6s first 12 months on sale will reach $3.2 billion. To put that into context, 2024s highest-grossing movie, Inside Out 2, made just shy of $1.7 billion at the global box office. In 2013, it took Grand Theft Auto 5 just three days to surpass $1 billion in sales the fastest to that figure in entertainment history.Strauss Zelnick, boss of Rockstar parent company Take-Two, told the Financial Times: I never claim victory before it occurs. That said, I think Rockstar Games will once again deliver something absolutely phenomenal Certainly the anticipation is high.The huge projected revenue of GTA 6 is up against similarly huge development costs, which the Financial Times estimates from the high hundreds of millions to as much as $2 billion. Theres a lot riding on GTA 6, then, but not just for Take-Two and Rockstar. In March last year, Circana analyst Mat Piscatella predicted Rockstars surefire hit would spark renewed interest in video games, before going one step further: There's probably never been a more important thing to ever release in the industry, so no pressure.GTA 6 is the kind of game that will sell consoles. Sonys PS5 Pro will no doubt benefit greatly from interest in GTA 6, too. Lets remember: GTA 6 is not coming out on PC at launch; to play you must own a PlayStation or an Xbox. Beyond the point of sale, GTA 6s GTA Online equivalent will surely come packed with microtransactions as the current GTA Online does. Microsoft and Sony will get their cut of any money spent there, too.As the Financial Times points out, the almost guaranteed success of GTA 6 comes amid one of the toughest periods for the video game industry in recent memory. More than 33,000 people have lost their jobs since 2022, with huge layoffs at the likes of Microsoft and Sony. Indeed, Take-Two itself has suffered layoffs and studio closures.All eyes are on Rockstar for a firm GTA 6 release date, or, as some are predicting, a delay into 2026. While you wait to find out, IGN has much more on GTA 6 to check out, including an ex-Rockstar dev who says the studio probably wont be able to decide whether GTA 6 is delayed until May 2025, the boss of Take-Two's coy response on whether GTA 6 is coming to PC, and the expert opinion on whether the PS5 Pro will run GTA 6 at 60 frames per second.Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

This article originally appeared in the December 2014 issue of ELLE DECOR. For more stories from our archive, subscribe to ELLE DECOR All Access.A Great House is not necessarily a great house. The former is historically important, architecturally significant, and frequently intimidating. The latter is a place where you want to hang out. So its a credit to Peter Spears and Brian Swardstrom that theyve turned the 228-year-old Ludlow Homestead, in Claverack, New York, into a house that is distinguished, fine, and proud, yet also so congenial that you cant help wanting to curl up by the fire and take a nap. Bjrn WallanderA pair of circa-1930s armchairs from John Derian and a 19th-century American table in the library; the 19th-century Persian rug was bought at auction, and the mantel is original. Our goal was to have it not be a museum piece, says Swardstrom, a talent agent whose clients include Tilda Swinton and Michael Douglas, but rather livable, comfortable, warm, and relaxed.The couple also felt a deep respect for the history of the house, which was built in 1786 and will likely long outlast them, according to Spears, an actor, director, and producer whos currently at work on a project with James Ivory. Its like were just part of the lineage of it now. We dont really own the house so much as were its custodians for the future. Our goal was to have it not be a museum piece Bjrn WallanderAntique maps of New Yorks Columbia County in the library; the 17th-century chair is Dutch, and the bookshelves are custom designs.Their first job in this role was to restore the structure, which was in need of attention when they acquired it in 2009. For one thing, the house had sat empty for a few years and had deteriorated accordingly. Moreover, its previous owners had converted part of it into an antiques shop, installing track lighting in the ceilings and ripping out part of the banister. Undoing that was an ordeal. The banister alone required borrowing a 3D-imaging device to create a model of how the original would have looked, then presenting it to a millworker who could fabricate a new one. Bjrn WallanderThe dining room mural by Elektra Buhalis is painted in the style of the 19th-century New England artist Rufus Porter; 18th-century chairs surround an early-20th-century Regency-style table, the Dutch-style chandelier is 18th century, and the 19th-century mirror came from a Hudson Valley estate. A bigger challenge still was lurking in the dining room. There was a little pucker in the ceiling, and the guy who showed the house was like, Oh, its just plaster, Spears recalls. After we bought it, we explored further and found the main beam supporting the second floor had split. A careless 20th-century bathroom installation had created more stress than the original beam could carry. The dining room ceiling had to be cut open, and so did the floorright through to the basement, so that a jack could pass through it, to rest on solid ground. A centimeter at a time, the jack eased the beam back into place, says Spears, because we didnt want to crack it again.Bjrn WallanderAn 1840 center table, made in the region, was found at the Rhinebeck Antiques Fair, and the pine floor is original. Decorating the house proved a lot less nerve-racking. The couple quickly decided that, apart from upholstered pieces, they wanted furnishings that were appropriate not only historically but also, whenever possible, regionally. Theres a big difference between stuff that was made in New York and stuff from Boston and Philadelphia, says Spears, who majored in Colonial American history in college and took to the project like a duck to water.They also introduced moments of playful drama, as in the Grand Tour room, an upstairs parlor decorated with pictures and mementos reminiscent of those aristocrats collected during their 19th-century peregrinations, including a painting of Vesuvius, a classical bust, and early photographs of Egyptian ruins. And once the dining room was restored, they invited a muralist to decorate the walls in the style of Rufus Porter, an itinerant artist whod traveled throughout New England in the early 19th century, painting landscapes on the walls of houses and taverns.Bjrn WallanderThe kitchen island was made with reclaimed wood from the house, the countertop is Carrara marble, and the refrigerator is by Sub-Zero; the light fixtures are from Time and Materials, and the window frames, shutters, and cabinetry are painted in Farrow & Balls Buff. All the same, the houses broad, even vast, Georgian proportions took some getting used to. The rooms can swallow furniture up, says Swardstrom. So at first there was a lot of empty space. But over time, weve started to layer things in. Hunting for those things has been fun. There were a lot of great bargains to be found, says Swardstrom, thanks to the fact that brown furniture is not in style right now. He likens it to shopping for modern furnishings in the early 1990san experience the couple knows well, having lived in and decorated a string of notable homes, including a Paul Williamsdesigned bungalow during their 20 years in Los Angeles, where they still keep an apartment. Weve always been drawn to architecturally significant houses, says Spears. Still, it takes a bit of moxie to inhabit a house thats nearly as old as this countryand that, according to Spears, is among the most famous in Columbia County. Yet the couple did not for a moment feel apprehensive about living up to their houses illustrious pedigree. This house is the fulfillment of a dream we didnt even know we had.Bjrn WallanderThe primary bedroom features an Empire four-poster with a coverlet from Rural Residence, an 18th-century blanket chest, and vintage alabaster lamps atop American Empire side tables; the walls are covered with a custom wallpaper by Adelphi Paper Hangings.Weve always had the kind of personalities that, even if everybody told us something was impossible, we didnt see the obstacles, says Spears. I grew up in Kansas. Brian grew up on Cape Cod. Hollywood is full of people who dream really big, and I think we always had big dreams. Certainly, this house is the fulfillment of a dream we didnt even know we had.Perhaps the Great House, too, was dreaming that one day, a couple of equally great characters would come along and take up its story.Tour this graceful Georgian Manse in Upstate New York

Sony has had the exclusive manufacturing contract for iPhone camera sensors for more than a decade, but Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo last year suggested this would be changing with the iPhone 18. This has now been backed by another report, which provides a little more detail.The latest one says that Samsung is working on a 3-layer stacked camera sensor for Apple, which should improve the performance of future iPhone cameras Sonys iPhone camera sensorsSony has for years made the most advanced smartphone camera sensors, and its been no secret that they have long made all of the sensors used in iPhones.If teardowns revealing known Sony model numbers werent sufficient evidence, Apple CEO Tim Cook made it clear a couple of years ago, tweeting about a visit he made to Sonys camera sensor facility in Kumamoto.Weve been partnering with Sony for over a decade to create the worlds leading camera sensors for iPhone. Thanks to Ken and everyone on the team for showing me around the cutting-edge facility in Kumamoto today.But Samsung may make one for the iPhone 18However, Kuo said last summer that Samsung was expected to make at least one of the sensors for the iPhone 18 in 2026.Samsung is expected to begin shipping 1/2.6-inch 48MP ultra-wide CMOS image sensors (CIS) to Apple for iPhones as early as 2026, breaking Sonys years-long monopoly on supplying CIS to Apple. To this end, Samsung has established a dedicated team to serve Apple.Leaker Jukanlosreve, who mostly posts Samsung content, echoes this view, and claims to have some specifics about the sensor.Exclusive: Samsung is currently developing a 3-layer stacked image sensor in a PD-TR-Logic configuration for Apple. This sensor is more advanced than Sonys existing Exmor RS, and I believe it cannot be ruled out as a potential candidate for the main sensor.A stacked sensor is where the processing electronics are mounted directly to the back of the sensor, and a three-layer version would have more of the circuitry attached to the sensor, which should result in increased signal processing speeds. This would improve the responsiveness of the camera.Stacked sensors also have the potential to eliminate some sources of noise, boosting image quality.Separately, Jukanlosreve says Samsung is working on a 500MP sensor for its own smartphones. While this sounds ridiculous, it is consistent with the company chasing impressive-sounding megapixel numbers even if the end result is far noisier images.9to5Macs TakeA pair of reports is still relatively slim evidence for what would be a pretty significant change to Apples supply chain, but there is no doubt that Samsung has been working hard to try to win the iPhone makers business.Additionally, Apple prefers to have more than one supplier for major components, both for contingency planning and to improve its negotiating strength. So even if Apple continues to use Sony sensors, its perfectly credible that it would seek to source some from Samsung too.While the report suggests the new sensor might be for the main camera, it seems more likely Apple would test the waters with a secondary sensor at first.Photo of iPhone 16 Pro Max camera module: iFixitAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Phishing attacks are about to get a whole lot more convincing. A new report warns that scammers are now using AI to scrape information about you from your online profiles in order to send hyper-personalized emails which target your login credentials.By finding out everything from your employer to your interests, scammers can send emails which have a far greater chance of appearing to be genuine Phishing has been around forever. A scammer sends out mass emails claiming to be from banks, email providers, crypto currency providers, and popular companies like Amazon and Apple.The fake content is usually intended to create a sense of urgency. For example, your bank warning you about a fraudulent transaction, Amazon sending you an invoice for an expensive product you havent ordered, or Apple telling you your iCloud account is about to be cancelled.The hope is that victims will be panicked into clicking the link and using their login credentials before theyve had time to think about whether or not it is real.Most of these attacks are very generic, but a Financial Times report warns that this is now changing. Scammers are starting to use AI to scrape public profiles in order to generate emails which appear to know a lot about you, and are therefore likely to fool more people into thinking them genuine.Leading companies such as British insurer Beazley and ecommerce group eBay have warned of the rise of fraudulent emails containing personal details probably obtained through AI analysis of online profiles.This is getting worse and its getting very personal, and this is why we suspect AI is behind a lot of it, said Beazleys chief information security officer Kirsty Kelly. Were starting to see very targeted attacks that have scraped an immense amount of information about a person.Highly personalized phishing emails are also far more likely to make it through filters created by both corporations and email providers like Apple and Google.Right now, the main targets appear to be corporate employees, with the AI bots even copying the writing style of particular companies from their websites and other public content to add weight to their scams. But its likely the same techniques will be used against consumers too, doing things like scraping your social media profiles.The main safeguard against phishing attacks is toneverclick on links sent in emails. Always use your own bookmarks, or type in a known URL.Photo byTyler FrantaonUnsplashAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Many start the new year full of good intentions on the exercise front, and Apple is offering some encouragement through a homepage promotion of a free three-month trial of Apple Fitness+.The offer itself isnt new its been available with the purchase of a new device since 2022 but the homepage promo is clearly intended to tap into new year resolutions Apple Fitness+ offers a dozen different forms of on-demand video workout classes, with options for different levels of intensity. You also get personalized recommendations, based on your participation, and can create your own schedule of classes.12 workout types, from HIIT to Yoga, and Meditation too. New sessions added every week, from 5 to 45 minutes.Anyone who hasnt yet used the service can get a one-month free trial, with three months offered with the purchase of most Apple devices. As of late last year, the company began emailing those who were eligible for the three-month trial but hadnt yet taken it up.The new year is of course a time when a great many people make resolutions in the areas of diet, health, and fitness though not too many stick with it! Perhaps a three-month trial will help develop some longer-lasting habits.If taking up the offer, you might want to set a calendar reminder to review it before it automatically renews at $9.99 per month. Image: AppleAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

About UsWere Vidpros, a fast-growing subscription-based video editing service designed to help agencies, influencers, and content creators produce high-quality video content efficiently and at scale.For agencies, we offer white-label solutions that integrate seamlessly into their workflows. For influencers and creators, we handle the heavy lifting of video editing so they can focus on growing their brand and engaging their audience.As we expand, were seeking a talented and connected individual to join our team and drive partnerships with agencies, influencers, and creators.The RoleAs our Partnerships & Creator Manager, youll play a critical role in expanding our reach, onboarding clients, and driving revenue growth. Were looking for someone with one of the following backgrounds:Tech Sales: Youve sold SaaS tools or platforms to marketing or creative agencies, such as influencer directories, campaign reporting tools, or engagement platforms.Agency Experience: Youve acquired creators in a marketing, talent, or influencer agency.In this role, youll:Develop Agency Partnerships:Pitch white-label editing solutions to marketing, creative, and talent agencies.Build relationships with agency decision-makers to position us as their go-to partner.Engage Influencers and Creators:Cultivate relationships with influencers, YouTubers, TikTok creators, and other digital content producers.Showcase how our editing services can help creators streamline production and grow their audiences.Drive Revenue Growth:Build and manage a sales pipeline with a mix of inbound and outbound prospects.Own revenue targets and consistently meet or exceed monthly KPIs.What Were Looking ForWere seeking candidates with one of these backgrounds:Tech Sales Background:3+ years of experience selling SaaS tools or tech solutions to creative or influencer agencies.Agency Experience:3+ years working at a marketing, talent, or influencer agency managing creators and campaigns.Additionally, youll have:Network: Established connections in the influencer, creator, or agency ecosystem.Sales Acumen: Proven track record of exceeding revenue targets and managing sales pipelines.Industry Knowledge: Familiarity with video editing, influencer marketing, or creative production workflows is a major plus.Motivation: A proactive self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, remote environment.KPI TargetsGenerate $30,000-$50,000 in sales per month as a mix between agency and creator sales.Compensation & BenefitsBase Salary: $60,000$90,000 annually as contractor, depending on experience.Commission: Uncapped commission structure, with on-target earnings (OTE) ranging from $100,000$150,000+.Additional Benefits:Flexible, remote-first work environment.Access to industry events and networking opportunities.Ongoing professional development and growth opportunities.Be part of a collaborative, creative team making a real impact.Ideal Candidate ProfileWere looking for someone who has:A background in tech sales, selling tools to agencies OR agency experience managing creators and influencer campaigns.A strong network of agencies, influencers, or creators.A passion for video editing, influencer marketing, and helping creative professionals succeed.How to ApplyIf youre ready to take the lead in growing partnerships with agencies, influencers, and creators, we want to hear from you! Send your resume and a short Loom video about your experience and network to [emailprotected].

This is today's edition ofThe Download,our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what's going on in the world of technology. The biggest AI flops of 2024 The past 12 months have been undeniably busy for those working in AI. There have been more successful product launches than we can count, and even Nobel Prizes. But it hasnt always been smooth sailing. AI is an unpredictable technology, and the increasing availability of generative models has led people to test their limits in new, weird, and sometimes harmful ways. These were some of 2024s biggest AI misfires. Rhiannon Williams If youre interested in the latest developments in the weird and wonderful world of AI, check out the AI Hype IndexMIT Technology Reviews highly subjective take on whats for real and whats just a lot of hallucinatory nonsense. Our latest edition features emotional robotic pets, Pokmon Go, simulated humans, and much more. Why EVs are (mostly) set for solid growth this year It looks as though 2025 will be a solid year for electric vehiclesat least outside the United States. (Inside the US, sales will depend on the incoming administration's policy choices.) Globally, these cleaner cars and trucks will continue to eat into the market share of gas-guzzlers as costs decline, consumer options expand, and charging stations proliferate. But ultimately, the fate of EV sales will depend on the particular dynamics within specific regions. Heres a closer look at whats likely to steer the sector in the worlds three largest markets: the US, the EU, and China. Read the full story. James Temple This piece is part of MIT Technology Reviews Whats Next series, looking across industries, trends, and technologies to give you a first look at the future. You can read the rest of them here. How wind tech could help decarbonize cargo shipping Inhabitants of the Marshall Islandsa chain of coral atolls in the center of the Pacific Oceanrely on sea transportation for almost everything. For millennia they sailed largely in canoes, but much of their seafaring movement today involves big, bulky, diesel-fueled cargo ships that are heavy polluters. Theyre not alone. Cargo shipping is responsible for about 3% of the worlds annual greenhouse-gas emissions, and at the current rate of growth, the global industry could account for 10% of emissions by 2050.The islands have been disproportionately experiencing the consequences of human-made climate change: warming waters, more frequent extreme weather, and rising sea levels. Now its residents are exploring a surprisingly traditional method of decarbonizing its fleets. Read the full story.Sofia Quaglia This story is from the forthcoming magazine edition of MIT Technology Review, set to go live on January 6its all about the exciting breakthroughs happening in the world right now. If you dont already, subscribe to receive future copies. The must-reads Ive combed the internet to find you todays most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology. 1 A Tesla Cybertruck exploded at Trumps Las Vegas hotelAuthorities are investigating if the incident is linked to a similar attack in New Orleans. (The Guardian) + The Cybertrucks driver was killed, while seven others were injured. (Reuters)+ Both vehicles were rented using the same app, called Turo. (Insider $)+ The New Orleans suspect appears to be inspired by the Islamic State. (Economist $)2 What five years of covid has taught us How prepared we are for future pandemics hinges on governments willingness to listen. (New Scientist $)+ Covid exposed how vulnerable global health systems are. (The Guardian)3 Americas tech industry needs imported labor Escalating tensions over the future of the H-1B visa lays that bare. (WSJ $)+ Thousands of overseas workers are trapped by the US immigration system. (Insider $)+ Tech workers had a pretty rough 2024. (Ars Technica)4 Elon Musk has support in his legal battle with OpenAI Two major tech investors have joined his cause. (WP $)5 A science journals editors have resigned over its use of AI The Journal of Human Evolutions board is protesting how owner Elsevier used te technology to format papers. (Ars Technica)+ The worlds most expensive artist isnt a fan of AI, either. (The Guardian) 6 How much will it cost to live forever?Investment in longevity firms has dropped in recent years. (FT $) + Maybe you will be able to live past 122. (MIT Technology Review)7 Podcasts arent restricted to just audio any more Aspiring podcasters better be prepared to appear on video these days. (NY Mag $)8 Were on the verge of living in the ocean Within five years, this ambitious project hopes to establish permanent underwater colonies. (IEEE Spectrum)9 What the year ahead holds for tech Elon Musk attempting to buy TikTok appears pretty inevitable. (The Information $)10 How to spend less time staring at your phone in 2025 Take back control and break the habit. (Wired $)+ How to log off. (MIT Technology Review)Quote of the day Its nothing other than business as usual for me. Sarah Perl, a Los Angeles-based content creator, tells the Wall Street Journal why shes not worried about the looming prospect of a US-wide TikTok ban. The big story This fuel plant will use agricultural waste to combat climate change February 2022A startup called Mote plans to build a new type of fuel-producing plant in Californias fertile Central Valley that would, if it works as hoped, continually capture and bury carbon dioxide, starting from 2024. Its among a growing number of efforts to commercialize a concept first proposed two decades ago as a means of combating climate change, known as bioenergy with carbon capture and sequestration, or BECCS.Its an ambitious plan. However, there are serious challenges to doing BECCS affordably and in ways that reliably suck down significant levels of carbon dioxide. Read the full story.James Temple We can still have nice things A place for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line or skeet 'em at me.) + Feel like times running away with you? To slow it down, you need to shake things up.+ Sicilys cathedral of Monreale houses Italys largest Byzantine-style mosaics, and theyre truly awe-inspiring.+ If youre looking for some sci-fi short stories to get your year off to a literary start, look no further.+ How to teach yourself to love wintereven when its really freezing.

Hatters hope new ground will be ready by 2027Luton Towns planned new ground will hold 25,000 peopleLuton Borough Council has granted planning permission for a new 25,000-seat stadium for Luton Town Football Club, marking a major milestone in the clubs plans to relocate from their historic home at Kenilworth Road.The new stadium is set to be built at Power Court, a centrally located site in Luton. The Hatters current ground, which has been their home for nearly 120 years, holds just over 12,000 fans but is considered outdated and no longer fit for purpose.The detailed plans for the project were submitted by Luton Towns development company, 2020 Developments, with a design team led by Aecom and sports architecture specialists Sisa. Additional contributors include architect Klaska and venues consultant Trivandi.Luton Town and 2020 Developments chief operating officer Michael Moran commented: Having already secured outline planning consent in 2019, we have worked through a complete re-design of the stadium concept alongside bringing forward the wider site where we are busy now with groundworks and putting the necessary infrastructure in place.The club, which spent last season in the Premier League before being relegated to the Championship, aims to have the new stadium operational by 2027, offering a modern venue to support their ambitions both on and off the pitch.

The annual report highlights how urban environments impact health, urging targeted interventions to tackle inequality and promote active travelSource: UK GovernmentChris Whitty, the governments Chief Medical OfficerThe Chief Medical Officers annual report, Health in Cities, published last month, has highlighted the profound impact of urban environments on the health and wellbeing of Englands population.Drawing on extensive data and expert analysis, the report focuses on the critical links between urban living conditions and pressing health challenges, including housing quality, homelessness, mental health, active travel, air pollution, and the needs of ageing populations.In his foreword to the report, Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty calls for policymakers to be brave in support of the health of children and vulnerable people now and in the future, emphasising the need for targeted action on transport, housing, and pollution.He notes, It is possible to design cities in such a way that they enhance health through decisions on transport, housing, schooling, food policy, licencing and pollution.Whitty argues that while such decisions may come at a political or financial cost, the impact of pro-health decisions can be substantial and usually long lasting. Whitty also highlights the importance of addressing concentrated deprivation in urban areas, advocating for tailored interventions to optimise health outcomes in cities.With over 80% of Englands population living in cities, the report underscores the pivotal role of the built environment in shaping public health. Aimed at policymakers, it calls for evidence-based interventions to tackle entrenched inequalities and create healthier, more sustainable urban spaces.The report identifies housing quality as a major determinant of health, noting that poor-quality homes often damp, mouldy, or inadequately insulated are linked to respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular conditions, and poor mental health. It highlights disparities in housing standards, with inner-city areas showing a higher proportion of poor-quality housing compared to suburban areas.According to the report, 16.3% of urban homes fail to meet the Decent Homes Standard, with flats performing particularly badly. The document calls for targeted interventions, including retrofitting older homes and expanding affordable housing to mitigate health risks associated with substandard housing.Urban housing design and location are also scrutinised. The report suggests that compact homes in dense urban environments may help reduce fuel poverty due to easier heating but warns of increased risks of overheating, particularly in flats. It advocates for design strategies that address thermal comfort year-round and promote ventilation to improve indoor air quality.The report describes active travel as a win-win-win for public health, economic efficiency, and environmental sustainabilityHomelessness is also identified an acute public health challenge, with the report stating that England has the highest homelessness rates among OECD countries, with one in 51 Londoners affected. The document highlights the severe health implications of homelessness, including increased mortality rates and higher prevalence of conditions such as respiratory illnesses, tuberculosis, and mental health disorders.The report references the short-lived successes of the COVID-19 Everyone In initiative, which housed thousands of rough sleepers during the pandemic, noting significant health improvements among participants. However, it emphasises that systemic issues, including insufficient affordable housing and a lack of permanent solutions, continue to exacerbate homelessness.The report urges the adoption of a long-term approach similar to Finlands Housing First model, which prioritises stable housing as a foundation for addressing other health and social issues.Urban living is associated with higher rates of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and psychosis, compared to rural areas, according to the report. Factors such as social isolation, exposure to crime, and limited access to green spaces are seen as contributing to these disparities. Air pollution and noise, both prevalent in cities, are also linked to mental health risks.The report highlights the critical need for urban planning to integrate mental health considerations by addressing issues such as access to green space.Source: McrKidicalMassManchester Kidical Mass cycle ride, May 2024Active travel such as walking, cycling, and wheeling is presented as a key strategy for improving urban health outcomes. The report describes active travel as a win-win-win for public health, economic efficiency, and environmental sustainability, noting its potential to reduce chronic health conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes.Children in the UK have higher rates of active travel compared to other age groups, but in urban areas, around one-third of children aged 5 to 16 are driven to school while fewer than 5% cycle.According to the report, Parents, carers and young people are often concerned about driver behaviour and perceived risk of harm from other adults and young people, which limits childrens ability to travel independently and actively. This, in turn, restricts their opportunities for individual development, education, and risk assessment skills.> Also read:Transport and connectivity provide the key to equitable and resilient citiesIt acknowledges significant barriers, including poorly maintained pavements, limited cycling infrastructure, and safety concerns around active travel, particularly for women and children. It advocates for investment in protected cycle lanes and pedestrian-friendly urban design to encourage wider adoption.Source: GM MovingGirls Who Walk, walking group. New Bailey, Manchester, December 2023Integrating active travel with public transport is also recommended as a means of extending journey lengths and promoting equitable access.The report also emphasises the importance of age-friendly urban design, with accessible housing, reliable public transport, and proximity to healthcare facilities identified as critical needs.It also highlights the risks posed by air pollution to older residents, particularly those with pre-existing health conditions. Conversely, the concentration of healthcare facilities in cities is seen as a potential advantage for managing complex health needs, provided that primary care services are adequately supported and accessible.Air pollution is described as a major threat to health, with cities disproportionately affected due to their density of people and vehicles. The report links pollutants such as PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide to a range of health issues, including asthma, cardiovascular disease, and dementia.While acknowledging progress in reducing emissions from vehicles and industrial activities, the report calls for further action, including stricter regulations on wood-burning stoves and enhanced public transport systems. The introduction of low-emission zones and investment in electric vehicles are also highlighted as opportunities to reduce urban air pollution.> Also read:Taskforce calls for cross-departmental unit to lead national older peoples housing strategy

Justin Sullivan says demand for skilled workers is white hot as industry requires 250,000 extra bodies by 2028The new president of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has warned that skills shortages could derail Keir Starmers plans to build 1.5m homes.Justin Sullivan, RICS president for 2025Justin Sullivan today became the organisations 143rd president. He is the founder and chief executive of property and construction consultancy Adair, which was formed in 1994.On his inauguration, he said: Across the globe, demand for built environment professionals of all specialisms is white hot, and opportunities for the next generation are profound.We need to get more young people considering and entering surveying as a career. The UK faces many challenges - we need to build more homes, but face skills shortages which threaten to derail these plans.Similarly, surveyors and other built environment professionals are in short supply across the globe, most acutely in regions where construction is booming, such as the Middle East.We must also develop an increasingly welcoming profession which is open to people of all backgrounds and identities - a crucial cornerstone for getting more youth into the profession.Sullivan has held various positions within the RICS since 2004, inlcuding as a member of its international governing council and head judge for the RICS Matrics Surveyor Awards.He steps up to head the organisation against the backdrop of the Labour governments pledge to build 1.5 million homes within the next five years.RICS outgoing president, Tina Paillet also acknowledged the profound skills shortages across all global regions as something that Sullivan is passionate about tackling.In a recent BDcomment piece,Paillet advocated for a built environment GCSE to supplement the diminishing workforce.She wrote: Brexit, a sharp drop in apprenticeship starts and spiralling retirement rates have combined to create the perfect storm for Britains acute skills crisis.Meanwhile, a report published by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) in May 2024 revealed that more than 250,000 extra workers are needed by 2028 to meet infrastructure and housing demand.The government has responded to concerns by launching Skills England in July 2024, a programme aiming to bolster its industrial strategy, which outlines 63bn of investment in infrastructure projects from data centres to airports.Prime minister Keir Starmer said: Skills England will jumpstart young peoples careers and galvanise local economies. It will bring businesses together with trade unions, mayors, universities, colleges and training providers to give us a complete picture of skills gaps nationwide, boost growth in all corners of the country and give people the opportunity to get on in life.> Also read:Why we need a built environment GCSE to inspire the next generation of professionals