Understanding socio-economic valuation in UK urban development through the lens of power

Improving social and environmental outcomes, especially health outcomes, is a central priority in the development of urban areas, and there have been many attempts in the UK and internationally to model and measure these outcomes in order to improve quality of life. Quantitative methods often appear to carry more weight than qualitative methods, though what weight they are afforded by different actors and stakeholders across the many systems of urban development is not well understood. This paper considers the use of valuation approaches in UK urban development through three dimensions of power – resources, norms and structures - and with a primary interest in it as a route to improving socio-environmental outcomes. It draws on two sets of interviews: a large secondary data set (123 interviews) followed by a more targeted primary data set (9 interviews) gathered and analysed between 2020 and 2024. Thematic analysis was used to identify headline themes. Following iterative rounds of analysis, themes were grouped under three headline messages: firstly, that there are strong and conflicting views both for and against the practical use and application of socio-environmental valuation; secondly, that the achievement of socio-environmental or health outcomes is drowned out by the dominant narrative of (economic) growth; and thirdly, that institutionalised control of critical resources and regulation maintains this status quo. Overall, our analysis suggests there is a reductionist, incomplete and confusing narrative at national level. Despite new tools and recent regulatory and cultural shifts, this confused narrative is supported by power structures that will continue to undermine progress in this area.