The Future is Digital: Why We Can’t Afford to Ignore PropTech Anymore

By Claire Locke, Commercial Director at VU.CITY    The UK’s built environment is at a crossroads. As we face mounting challenges—ranging from housing shortages to net-zero targets—our planning and development processes remain largely outdated and inefficient. But digital transformation is no longer a distant ambition; it’s a necessity. PropTech offers the tools to overcome these challenges, enabling the creation of sustainable, efficient, and economically viable places. Recent advancements in procurement, investment, and technology adoption mean that now is the time to act. Both private and public sectors must accelerate the adoption of PropTech if the UK is to stay competitive on the global stage. Those who hesitate risk being left behind.  

The UK’s Built Environment is at a Crossroads

The UK’s planning and development sector continues to grapple with inefficiencies in the face of urgent challenges. Housing demand continues to outpace supply, net-zero goals are looming, and the need for smarter urban growth has never been more pressing. Developers and architects are increasingly turning to PropTech tools—such as 3D visualisation platforms and AI-powered data solutions—to speed up decision-making, assess site feasibility, and improve collaboration. The entire industry has been slow to adopt new approaches, but there’s a growing mindset shift across the sector. Initiatives like the Digital Planning Directory and the G-Cloud 14 procurement framework are helping local authorities integrate PropTech into their processes, paving the way for faster, more data-driven decision-making. It’s also worth celebrating the forward-thinking local planning authorities (LPAs) who have been early adopters of VU.CITY’s digital tools. Belfast City Council and the City of London Corporation, for example, have embraced 3D visualisation to improve collaboration and streamline processes. Their leadership demonstrates the public sector’s potential to drive innovation in planning and development.  

The Problem: Slow Adoption and Procurement Barriers Affect Everyone

Despite encouraging progress, significant barriers remain. According to The Opportunity for PropTech report, procurement complexity is one of the biggest roadblocks to widespread adoption. Local authorities often face lengthy and convoluted processes to access digital tools, while private developers can struggle with fragmented data systems and unclear ROI. These inefficiencies affect everyone. Without access to data-driven tools, outdated systems slow down decision-making, increase costs, and risk poor outcomes for planning and development projects. That’s why government-backed procurement frameworks like G-Cloud 14 are so important. They simplify access to PropTech solutions, allowing both public and private organisations to adopt tools that enable more efficient, sustainable, and collaborative planning.  

The Solution: Smarter Procurement and Radical Collaboration

PropTech is already transforming how the private sector operates. Developers and architects are leveraging tools such as digital twins, AI-driven insights, and shared 3D models to enhance collaboration, improve feasibility studies, and reduce subjectivity in decision-making. Thanks to frameworks like G-Cloud 14 and initiatives like the Digital Framework Directory, local authorities now have a clearer path to adopting these same tools. This opens up new opportunities for collaboration between planners, developers, and investors, breaking down the traditional silos that slow progress. VU.CITY’s experience working with both private organisations and local authorities proves that technology-driven planning delivers measurable benefits. From streamlining stakeholder engagement to reducing the time required for approvals, the ROI for PropTech adoption is clear. In fact, in a recent survey, we found that shared 3D models can reduce subjectivity and speed up decision-making—critical for both large-scale developments and community-driven projects.  

Looking Ahead: PropTech as Essential Infrastructure

PropTech must no longer be seen as an optional add-on but as essential infrastructure for the UK’s built environment. As barriers to adoption continue to fall, driven by better procurement pathways and increasing private sector investment, the future of planning and development must be digital-first. Emerging technologies such as AI-powered insights, 3D visualisation, and collaborative platforms offer the tools to deliver better, faster, and more transparent outcomes. By prioritising PropTech adoption now, organisations can not only future-proof their projects but also play a critical role in creating sustainable, economically viable communities. With the right tools and frameworks in place, the UK has an opportunity to lead the way in digital transformation for the built environment.  

Call to Action

Ready to embrace the future of planning and development? With frameworks like G-Cloud 14 now making adoption easier than ever, there’s no better time to integrate PropTech into your processes. From digital twins to AI-driven insights,  Find out how organisations are already implementing PropTech and transforming their processes. Explore case studies here.