The leading parties' manifestos contain bold pledges that will change Britain's cities for generations, says Phineas Harper. He takes a look at the architecture and housing policies ahead of the UK's general election.

Not for generations have the British faced such a profound political crossroads as the choice they must make on 12 December. Of the two main parties, one promises liberated markets, closer economic alignment with Trump's America and a hard Brexit with less immigration. The other proposes vast public investment, a "green industrial revolution" and a second referendum on EU membership.
There is no business as usual candidate in this race. With polls still roughly tied, the only certainty is that whoever wins the general election will bring radical change for better, or worse. One week from polling day, what can an architectural reading of the main parties' manifestos reveal about the choice voters face" I have dug into the manifestos of four parties vying for power next Thursday, teasing out the urban and spatial implications in their pledges. The promised matrix of policies on climate, economics, immigration and housing speak of radically divergent visions for the cities and neighbourhoods and society of tomorrow's Britain.
If this election is a war for the soul of the United Kingdom, the future of urban policy is among its most vigorous battlegrounds
An open nation lush with billions of trees and housing as a right for all in the red corner. A...