Dr Catalina Ionita to speak at ARL webinar on the Planning & Infrastructure Act and Build to Rent

Chapman Taylor’s Senior Architect, Dr. Catalina Ionita, will be speaking at an upcoming webinar hosted by the Association for Rental Living (ARL) entitled “What the Planning & Infrastructure Act Means for Build to Rent”.

Taking place on 19 February 2026, from 9.00am to 10.00am, the webinar will explore the real implications of the new Planning & Infrastructure Act for the Build to Rent (BtR) sector in the UK, at a time of significant legislative change for the industry.

As the sector adapts to a shifting regulatory landscape, the session will examine how the Act reshapes planning processes for BtR, the opportunities and challenges emerging from the new framework, and the impacts on delivery timelines, design expectations and long-term operational certainty. The discussion will also focus on what investors, developers and operators should be doing now to prepare.

Drawing on her experience working across large-scale residential and Build to Rent projects, Catalina will contribute architectural and planning insight into how policy changes translate into design quality, placemaking and community outcomes.

The webinar is aimed at BtR developers, operators, investors, planners, local authorities and all those with an interest in purpose-built rental housing.

The Association for Rental Living, formerly the UK Apartment Association (UKAA), represents institutionally backed, professionally managed rental living sectors, including single-family and multi-family rental, co-living and later living.

The webinar is free for ARL members; non-members can also book via the ARL website here.

Dr Catalina Ionita (BA(Hons) MArch ARB RIBA AFHEA)

Senior Architect, UK

Catalina joined the Manchester studio in 2021 as an Architect supporting the Feasibility team. She brings a passion for successful placemaking to her work in the residential and mixed-use sectors.

She has experience working on a wide range of projects at all work stages, including large residential developments, masterplans, offices, and listed building restorations.

Cat is also a Women in Property North West committee member with a strategic role as Inclusion Champion. For one day a week, she teaches a Masters of Architecture and Urban Design course at the Manchester School of Architecture.

In 2024, she completed a PhD in Urban Activation and Placemaking from Sheffield Hallam University.

Areas of expertise:

Placemaking / Residential / Mixed-Use / Research

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