social media engagement
Spotlighting Places & Projects for Sustainability
📍Old Towns!
🗝️An ‘Old Town’ commonly refers to a historic district within a town or city.
🌆They are often found within the hearts of many European cities, reflecting centuries of culture, politics, and daily life as the roots of the urban area. These districts, like Bratislava’s Old Town, can provide a charming story-book contrast with wider modern urban development, for example through preserved historic street layouts, walls, architecture and more.
📑These areas are important for heritage, tourism, and local identity, which is why they are generally conserved by special designations and planning policy. However, such rules can also make it difficult to ensure their enjoyment is accessible for all (e.g. retrofitting elevators, widening narrow streets, etc.).
💭Is there an ‘Old Town’ where you live? How well has it been preserved or changed over the years?
📍Old Towns!
🗝️An ‘Old Town’ commonly refers to a historic district within a town or city.
🌆They are often found within the hearts of many European cities, reflecting centuries of culture, politics, and daily life as the roots of the urban area. These districts, like Bratislava’s Old Town, can provide a charming story-book contrast with wider modern urban development, for example through preserved historic street layouts, walls, architecture and more.
📑These areas are important for heritage, tourism, and local identity, which is why they are generally conserved by special designations and planning policy. However, such rules can also make it difficult to ensure their enjoyment is accessible for all (e.g. retrofitting elevators, widening narrow streets, etc.).
💭Is there an ‘Old Town’ where you live? How well has it been preserved or changed over the years?
📍Bratislava’s Statues!
📸Whether it’s “Cumil” the “man at work”, or Napoleon’s soldier leaning on a bench, these characters sprinkled actors the Old Town have become some of the most photographed spots in Bratislava.
🥾Uniquely life-like as they appear to be engaging with their surroundings, it’s hard not to pause and smile when you see them. From an urban planning perspective, this interaction can foster a sense of place and encourage pedestrian activity, contributing to a vibrant public realm.
🎨In many ways, these statues blur the line between art and environment, creating landmarks that support wayfinding and even create opportunities to talk to new people who have also decided to stop. This shows how thoughtfully placed public art can enhance livability and emotional connection through urban design.
💭Are there any unique statues in your city that help bring it to life?
📍Bratislava’s Statues!
📸Whether it’s “Cumil” the “man at work”, or Napoleon’s soldier leaning on a bench, these characters sprinkled actors the Old Town have become some of the most photographed spots in Bratislava.
🥾Uniquely life-like as they appear to be engaging with their surroundings, it’s hard not to pause and smile when you see them. From an urban planning perspective, this interaction can foster a sense of place and encourage pedestrian activity, contributing to a vibrant public realm.
🎨In many ways, these statues blur the line between art and environment, creating landmarks that support wayfinding and even create opportunities to talk to new people who have also decided to stop. This shows how thoughtfully placed public art can enhance livability and emotional connection through urban design.
💭Are there any unique statues in your city that help bring it to life?
🇸🇰Bratislava’s tree tagging system!
🌳Trees across some of Slovakia’s capital city are tagged with a unique ID linked to a digital database, accessible via an online map.
📲Officers, residents and visitors can scan the QR codes on the trees in the Old Town to explore information about them, e.g. the species. This is an example of integrating technology with nature, incredibly helpful for ongoing ecological management.
💡Whether you’re strolling in the park or rushing through the city, these simple tags make it possible to learn so much about urban greening in a matter of seconds. Much like a scavenger hunt, this simple and interactive system can make nature engagement surprisingly fun!
💭How does your city encourage you to learn more about your local green spaces?
🇸🇰Bratislava’s tree tagging system!
🌳Trees across some of Slovakia’s capital city are tagged with a unique ID linked to a digital database, accessible via an online map.
📲Officers, residents and visitors can scan the QR codes on the trees in the Old Town to explore information about them, e.g. the species. This is an example of integrating technology with nature, incredibly helpful for ongoing ecological management.
💡Whether you’re strolling in the park or rushing through the city, these simple tags make it possible to learn so much about urban greening in a matter of seconds. Much like a scavenger hunt, this simple and interactive system can make nature engagement surprisingly fun!
💭How does your city encourage you to learn more about your local green spaces?
🌱Where Friends Grow!
🏙️As our world increasingly urbanises, it’s so important to protect and promote opportunities to connect with people and nature.
🎟️A perfect example of this is @where_friends_grow, a series of regular events across London, Sheffield, York and Manchester. Tickets fund @no_plant_left_behind_cic, a non-profit focused on community-led design projects. That means a fun day out at one of these events is also supporting schemes like the Hoxton Community Garden!
🎨Having an opportunity to talk to new people whilst engaging with art, crafts and nature can have a powerful impact on our health and wellbeing. A shared activity removes a lot of the pressure around socialising, allowing for personal expression and organic connections.
💭What ‘meet and make’ events are happening near you? What local projects could your events help fund?
🌱Where Friends Grow!
🏙️As our world increasingly urbanises, it’s so important to protect and promote opportunities to connect with people and nature.
🎟️A perfect example of this is @where_friends_grow, a series of regular events across London, Sheffield, York and Manchester. Tickets fund @no_plant_left_behind_cic, a non-profit focused on community-led design projects. That means a fun day out at one of these events is also supporting schemes like the Hoxton Community Garden!
🎨Having an opportunity to talk to new people whilst engaging with art, crafts and nature can have a powerful impact on our health and wellbeing. A shared activity removes a lot of the pressure around socialising, allowing for personal expression and organic connections.
💭What ‘meet and make’ events are happening near you? What local projects could your events help fund?
☀️L’Eclairage Naturel!
🧠La lumière naturelle joue un rôle fondamental dans le bien-être.
🏠Une maison bien éclairée peut semble plus vaste et accueillante. La lumière naturelle peut améliorer également la concentration et la productivité, en particulier dans les espaces de travail (un bel exemple au WeWork, 198 Avenue de France!).
💡De plus, optimiser l’orientation des fenêtres peut améliorer l’efficacité énergétique, influençant la lumière naturelle, la chaleur et la ventilation. Elle permet de réduire la consommation d’énergie en diminuant la dépendance à l’éclairage artificiel.
🏙️Comment pouvons-nous optimiser l’éclairage naturel en milieu urbain dense?
☀️L’Eclairage Naturel!
🧠La lumière naturelle joue un rôle fondamental dans le bien-être.
🏠Une maison bien éclairée peut semble plus vaste et accueillante. La lumière naturelle peut améliorer également la concentration et la productivité, en particulier dans les espaces de travail (un bel exemple au WeWork, 198 Avenue de France!).
💡De plus, optimiser l’orientation des fenêtres peut améliorer l’efficacité énergétique, influençant la lumière naturelle, la chaleur et la ventilation. Elle permet de réduire la consommation d’énergie en diminuant la dépendance à l’éclairage artificiel.
🏙️Comment pouvons-nous optimiser l’éclairage naturel en milieu urbain dense?
🌊Les Fleuves en Ville!
🏙️Les fleuves et rivières urbaines peuvent véritablement inspirer la joie et encourager l’activité.
🎶Ils offrent un cadre paisible où les habitants peuvent se détendre, faire du sport ou s’adonner à des loisirs en plein air. Courir au bord de l’eau, faire du vélo ou même danser en écoutant de la musique créent une atmosphère vivante et dynamique.
🧠Ces espaces naturels permettent aux citadins de se ressourcer et de se reconnecter avec la nature. Les vues magnifiques, le bruit apaisant de l’eau et l’air frais favorisent un bien-être mental et physique, stimulant ainsi un mode de vie plus sain et heureux pour tous.
💭Est-ce que ta ville a des rivières urbaines?
🌊Les Fleuves en Ville!
🏙️Les fleuves et rivières urbaines peuvent véritablement inspirer la joie et encourager l’activité.
🎶Ils offrent un cadre paisible où les habitants peuvent se détendre, faire du sport ou s’adonner à des loisirs en plein air. Courir au bord de l’eau, faire du vélo ou même danser en écoutant de la musique créent une atmosphère vivante et dynamique.
🧠Ces espaces naturels permettent aux citadins de se ressourcer et de se reconnecter avec la nature. Les vues magnifiques, le bruit apaisant de l’eau et l’air frais favorisent un bien-être mental et physique, stimulant ainsi un mode de vie plus sain et heureux pour tous.
💭Est-ce que ta ville a des rivières urbaines?
🚲Location de Vélos!
📍À Paris, les options de location de vélos en libre-service, comme Lime ou Vélib’, sont devenues très accessibles et répandues.
📲On peut facilement trouver un vélo électrique ou classique grâce à une application mobile, souvent à quelques pas seulement. Cela représente un atout majeur: moins de voitures, moins de bruit, et une ville plus respirable.
💶Les vélos en libre-service permettent aussi de mieux connecter les quartiers entre eux, même ceux moins bien desservis par les transports publics. En rendant ces services disponibles partout, la ville offre une alternative écologique et économique à la voiture (sans avoir besoin d`acheter un vélo!).
💡La disponibilité de vélos en location vous pousse-t-elle à utiliser plus souvent le vélo en ville?
🚲Location de Vélos!
📍À Paris, les options de location de vélos en libre-service, comme Lime ou Vélib’, sont devenues très accessibles et répandues.
📲On peut facilement trouver un vélo électrique ou classique grâce à une application mobile, souvent à quelques pas seulement. Cela représente un atout majeur: moins de voitures, moins de bruit, et une ville plus respirable.
💶Les vélos en libre-service permettent aussi de mieux connecter les quartiers entre eux, même ceux moins bien desservis par les transports publics. En rendant ces services disponibles partout, la ville offre une alternative écologique et économique à la voiture (sans avoir besoin d`acheter un vélo!).
💡La disponibilité de vélos en location vous pousse-t-elle à utiliser plus souvent le vélo en ville?
🏙️Lever les yeux!
👀À Bruxelles, lever les yeux permet de découvrir bien plus que ce que l’on voit au niveau de la rue.
📍Même si la ville est souvent animée et rapide, prendre le temps d’observer ce qui se trouve en hauteur révèle une richesse artistique impressionnante. Par exemple, on pouvait remarquer les toitures dorées sur la Grand-Place; ou ‘In the Cloud’, une œuvre d’art en aluminium sur le toit de l’Espace Jacqmotte. Bruxelles est aussi une capitale de la bande dessinée et du street art – comme les fresques de Tintin!
🎨Ces créations transforment la ville en musée à ciel ouvert, à condition de savoir regarder au-dessus de soi…
💭Où regardes-tu quand tu te promènes en ville?
🏙️Lever les yeux!
👀À Bruxelles, lever les yeux permet de découvrir bien plus que ce que l’on voit au niveau de la rue.
📍Même si la ville est souvent animée et rapide, prendre le temps d’observer ce qui se trouve en hauteur révèle une richesse artistique impressionnante. Par exemple, on pouvait remarquer les toitures dorées sur la Grand-Place; ou ‘In the Cloud’, une œuvre d’art en aluminium sur le toit de l’Espace Jacqmotte. Bruxelles est aussi une capitale de la bande dessinée et du street art – comme les fresques de Tintin!
🎨Ces créations transforment la ville en musée à ciel ouvert, à condition de savoir regarder au-dessus de soi…
💭Où regardes-tu quand tu te promènes en ville?
🏗️La Construction d’un Bâtiment Multifonctionnel!
🇧🇪Protéger les bâtiments historiques dans le centre-ville de Bruxelles, tout en les modernisant, est essentiel pour préserver l`identité culturelle de la ville et répondre aux besoins contemporains.
🕰️Le projet "The Dome" à Bruxelles illustre cette approche en réhabilitant l`emblématique "Grands Magasins de la Bourse". D’après le site web de @vddprojectdevelopment, ce bâtiment a été construit en 1872 comme le premier ‘grand magasin’ sur le sol belge à ses débuts! Aujourd’hui, ce concept de développement mixte combine les espaces commerciaux, bureaux et résidentiels, intégrant des éléments historiques avec des aménagements modernes.
💭Quels bâtiments historiques de votre centre-ville changent en ce moment, et comment?
🏗️La Construction d’un Bâtiment Multifonctionnel!
🇧🇪Protéger les bâtiments historiques dans le centre-ville de Bruxelles, tout en les modernisant, est essentiel pour préserver l`identité culturelle de la ville et répondre aux besoins contemporains.
🕰️Le projet "The Dome" à Bruxelles illustre cette approche en réhabilitant l`emblématique "Grands Magasins de la Bourse". D’après le site web de @vddprojectdevelopment, ce bâtiment a été construit en 1872 comme le premier ‘grand magasin’ sur le sol belge à ses débuts! Aujourd’hui, ce concept de développement mixte combine les espaces commerciaux, bureaux et résidentiels, intégrant des éléments historiques avec des aménagements modernes.
💭Quels bâtiments historiques de votre centre-ville changent en ce moment, et comment?
🌱No Plant Left Behind!
♻️No Plant Left Behind (@no_plant_left_behind_cic) is all about empowering communities to reconnect with nature through innovative, hands-on projects that promote sustainability and transform urban spaces.
💡More than just supporting much-needed local greening, the group creates an environment where those interested in this sector can gain experience and trial creative ideas. Volunteering on real-life projects that impact the community like this can be a great why to experiment with being a landscape architect, engineer, ecologist, planner and much more!
➡️The group source a lot of their funding through hosting @meet_and_make_meetnewpeople, fun events where you can connect with nature, get crafty and meet new people.
💭What volunteer projects are happening locally to you?
🌱No Plant Left Behind!
♻️No Plant Left Behind (@no_plant_left_behind_cic) is all about empowering communities to reconnect with nature through innovative, hands-on projects that promote sustainability and transform urban spaces.
💡More than just supporting much-needed local greening, the group creates an environment where those interested in this sector can gain experience and trial creative ideas. Volunteering on real-life projects that impact the community like this can be a great why to experiment with being a landscape architect, engineer, ecologist, planner and much more!
➡️The group source a lot of their funding through hosting @meet_and_make_meetnewpeople, fun events where you can connect with nature, get crafty and meet new people.
💭What volunteer projects are happening locally to you?
🚗Car Dependency Report!
💷The RTPI Early Career Research Grant in 2023 led to research by Charles Goode, examining young adults` shifting views on car dependency and its impact on housing and planning.
📊The study found that young adults are increasingly less reliant on cars, which is influencing their housing preferences. Key findings include the need for updated parking standards and responsiveness to societal changes in housing development. The project emphasises the importance of considering these shifts in planning policy, particularly in areas with major housing growth.
🚌Importantly, the outcomes call for improved collaboration between developers, government, and transport agencies to enhance public transport alongside new housing. You can read more reflections from the report on the RTPI website!
💡The 2025 round of RTPI ECR Grants will open for applications in the summer. What research ideas do you have that could help shape planning policy in the future?
🚗Car Dependency Report!
💷The RTPI Early Career Research Grant in 2023 led to research by Charles Goode, examining young adults` shifting views on car dependency and its impact on housing and planning.
📊The study found that young adults are increasingly less reliant on cars, which is influencing their housing preferences. Key findings include the need for updated parking standards and responsiveness to societal changes in housing development. The project emphasises the importance of considering these shifts in planning policy, particularly in areas with major housing growth.
🚌Importantly, the outcomes call for improved collaboration between developers, government, and transport agencies to enhance public transport alongside new housing. You can read more reflections from the report on the RTPI website!
💡The 2025 round of RTPI ECR Grants will open for applications in the summer. What research ideas do you have that could help shape planning policy in the future?
🗞️New Blog Post!
🌱Community gardens play a key role in creating sustainable cities, with @urbanistonamission exploring this topic in a new blog post.
🏆Mahsa breaks down how “community gardens help address several social, environmental, and economic challenges faced by cities”. She shares: “having worked closely with the group, I am so pleased that the project is a finalist for the Civic Honours Award in the category of Group Contributions to Building a Stronger, Safer, Kinder Neighbourhood with @hfcouncil!”
📍Reading through the benefits, it’s clear why community gardens should be supported and protected. However, Mahsa reminds us that “challenges around water scarcity, climate adaptation, funding and more can block this, which is why spotlighting and encouraging groups like The Green Project Shepherd’s Bush is so important.”
➡️You can find the @urbanistonsmission article at @thegreenprojectsb’s website!
🗞️New Blog Post!
🌱Community gardens play a key role in creating sustainable cities, with @urbanistonamission exploring this topic in a new blog post.
🏆Mahsa breaks down how “community gardens help address several social, environmental, and economic challenges faced by cities”. She shares: “having worked closely with the group, I am so pleased that the project is a finalist for the Civic Honours Award in the category of Group Contributions to Building a Stronger, Safer, Kinder Neighbourhood with @hfcouncil!”
📍Reading through the benefits, it’s clear why community gardens should be supported and protected. However, Mahsa reminds us that “challenges around water scarcity, climate adaptation, funding and more can block this, which is why spotlighting and encouraging groups like The Green Project Shepherd’s Bush is so important.”
➡️You can find the @urbanistonsmission article at @thegreenprojectsb’s website!
📑The Planning and Infrastructure Bill!
🗞️Published on the 11th March, the Planning and Infrastructure Bill has passed its second reading earlier this week.
🏗️This legislation is designed to support the government’s Plan for Change milestones, which includes building “1.5 million safe and decent homes in England”, “fast-tracking 150 planning decisions on major economic infrastructure projects by the end of this Parliament” and the “delivery of the government’s Clean Power 2030 target”.
5 key objectives for the Bill have been outlined:
– 🗓️Delivering a faster and more certain consenting process for critical infrastructure
– 🌱Introducing a more strategic approach to nature recovery
– 📊Improving certainty and decision-making in the planning system
– 📍Unlocking land and securing public value for large scale investment
– 💡Introducing effective new mechanisms for cross-boundary strategic planning
💭Have you been following the Bill’s progress and are you optimistic about the potential results?
📑The Planning and Infrastructure Bill!
🗞️Published on the 11th March, the Planning and Infrastructure Bill has passed its second reading earlier this week.
🏗️This legislation is designed to support the government’s Plan for Change milestones, which includes building “1.5 million safe and decent homes in England”, “fast-tracking 150 planning decisions on major economic infrastructure projects by the end of this Parliament” and the “delivery of the government’s Clean Power 2030 target”.
5 key objectives for the Bill have been outlined:
– 🗓️Delivering a faster and more certain consenting process for critical infrastructure
– 🌱Introducing a more strategic approach to nature recovery
– 📊Improving certainty and decision-making in the planning system
– 📍Unlocking land and securing public value for large scale investment
– 💡Introducing effective new mechanisms for cross-boundary strategic planning
💭Have you been following the Bill’s progress and are you optimistic about the potential results?
🤳🏽Planning Engagement!
💬Join us for a sit down chat between @urbanistonamission and @theurbanplan_her, Council Planning Officer and content creator.
📸The @rtpiplanners champions raising awareness about the power of town planning and attracting more diverse voices. That’s why it’s so exciting to see planning content like this, working to make the industry more accessible.
🏗️Town planning engagement is essential for creating sustainable, functional, and vibrant communities. By helping people learn about planning and how they can get involved, we can work together to manage land use efficiently. This includes ensuring that areas for housing, commerce, recreation and green spaces are well-distributed.
💭What pages could we follow that help us learn more about how our neighbourhoods are being shaped?
🤳🏽Planning Engagement!
💬Join us for a sit down chat between @urbanistonamission and @theurbanplan_her, Council Planning Officer and content creator.
📸The @rtpiplanners champions raising awareness about the power of town planning and attracting more diverse voices. That’s why it’s so exciting to see planning content like this, working to make the industry more accessible.
🏗️Town planning engagement is essential for creating sustainable, functional, and vibrant communities. By helping people learn about planning and how they can get involved, we can work together to manage land use efficiently. This includes ensuring that areas for housing, commerce, recreation and green spaces are well-distributed.
💭What pages could we follow that help us learn more about how our neighbourhoods are being shaped?
🏗️Brent Cross Town Development!
🏘️As part of the opening for Brent Cross West Station, @mayorofldn shared: “The station will serve as a gateway to a Brent Cross Town, a brand-new neighbourhood delivering new homes, creating jobs, and aiming to be net zero by 2030.”
🤹🏽♀️The Projects Platform at @uniwestminster have organised a talk to explore how urban regeneration can be equitable, navigating the challenges of gentrification. This will be led by Professor Jim Coleman, Head of Economic Advisory at @wspukandi and professor of
professional practice in the School of Architecture and Cities at the University of Westminster.
🎤On Monday 24th March, he plans to “provide insights into how spatial and real estate plans can be shaped to address multiple priorities, as well as reflecting on emerging approaches to creating and measuring social value through development.”
💭Why not reach out to @livestudio_ds20 if you would like to attend?
🏗️Brent Cross Town Development!
🏘️As part of the opening for Brent Cross West Station, @mayorofldn shared: “The station will serve as a gateway to a Brent Cross Town, a brand-new neighbourhood delivering new homes, creating jobs, and aiming to be net zero by 2030.”
🤹🏽♀️The Projects Platform at @uniwestminster have organised a talk to explore how urban regeneration can be equitable, navigating the challenges of gentrification. This will be led by Professor Jim Coleman, Head of Economic Advisory at @wspukandi and professor of
professional practice in the School of Architecture and Cities at the University of Westminster.
🎤On Monday 24th March, he plans to “provide insights into how spatial and real estate plans can be shaped to address multiple priorities, as well as reflecting on emerging approaches to creating and measuring social value through development.”
💭Why not reach out to @livestudio_ds20 if you would like to attend?
➡️RTPI London Committee!
🏗️I’m so pleased to be on the RTPI London Committee (RAC) across 2025/2026.
🎤The group supports the Corporate Strategy and advises the Regional Management Board; as well as organising events, newsletters, media coverage, awards and other activities for the RTPI. From shaping our CPD offering to acting as the London Lead for the EDI sub-committee, I’m so excited to be a part of this journey for the organisation.
💡This comes at a poignant type for the world of planning, with our new @rtpiplanners president Helen Fadipe setting the tone by establishing three core themes: “collaboration, investment and inclusivity”. Helen also emphasises the importance of education, mentoring and support for planners, championing accessible pathways to the tools needed across the profession.
💭What opportunities could help you learn more about town planning, or even inspire your work as a planner?
➡️RTPI London Committee!
🏗️I’m so pleased to be on the RTPI London Committee (RAC) across 2025/2026.
🎤The group supports the Corporate Strategy and advises the Regional Management Board; as well as organising events, newsletters, media coverage, awards and other activities for the RTPI. From shaping our CPD offering to acting as the London Lead for the EDI sub-committee, I’m so excited to be a part of this journey for the organisation.
💡This comes at a poignant type for the world of planning, with our new @rtpiplanners president Helen Fadipe setting the tone by establishing three core themes: “collaboration, investment and inclusivity”. Helen also emphasises the importance of education, mentoring and support for planners, championing accessible pathways to the tools needed across the profession.
💭What opportunities could help you learn more about town planning, or even inspire your work as a planner?
💡Co-development project!
☕️So much more than a community cafe, Our Yard is all about creating “spaces & opportunities for all generations and backgrounds to meet & connect”.
🌦️This includes championing local businesses through studio-hire, markets and outdoor events. To build resilience and ensure this can be done come rain or shine, the team are developing a multifunctional canopy in partnership with @mariarosakramer and the Architecture Master’s course at the University of Westminster.
👩🏽💻As part of the Live Projects Platform, the students and staff have worked in collaboration with the group to explore a community-led design. This is an example of “co-development”, where local engagement is a key part of influencing the project.
💭Have you been following @clitterhousefarm’s mission?
💡Co-development project!
☕️So much more than a community cafe, Our Yard is all about creating “spaces & opportunities for all generations and backgrounds to meet & connect”.
🌦️This includes championing local businesses through studio-hire, markets and outdoor events. To build resilience and ensure this can be done come rain or shine, the team are developing a multifunctional canopy in partnership with @mariarosakramer and the Architecture Master’s course at the University of Westminster.
👩🏽💻As part of the Live Projects Platform, the students and staff have worked in collaboration with the group to explore a community-led design. This is an example of “co-development”, where local engagement is a key part of influencing the project.
💭Have you been following @clitterhousefarm’s mission?
🏙️City of London!
📍The City of London’s “Square Mile” is the historic heart and financial hub of the capital.
🌊This means hosting some of London’s most recognisable buildings and the River Thames, which is an iconic landmark in its own right. However, the balance between natural and built environments here results in heightened climate vulnerability, e.g. to flood risk and overheating.
📑In response, the City of London commissioned a study into potential adaptive pathways, noting that: “Shaping climate resilient environments, where people and businesses can thrive for generations to come, is considered central to the Climate Action Strategy”. The aim of the strategy is “to act swiftly in recognition of the human, environmental and economic imperatives for accelerating climate adaptation and resilience action.”
💭What are the priorities in your local council’s Climate Strategy?
🏙️City of London!
📍The City of London’s “Square Mile” is the historic heart and financial hub of the capital.
🌊This means hosting some of London’s most recognisable buildings and the River Thames, which is an iconic landmark in its own right. However, the balance between natural and built environments here results in heightened climate vulnerability, e.g. to flood risk and overheating.
📑In response, the City of London commissioned a study into potential adaptive pathways, noting that: “Shaping climate resilient environments, where people and businesses can thrive for generations to come, is considered central to the Climate Action Strategy”. The aim of the strategy is “to act swiftly in recognition of the human, environmental and economic imperatives for accelerating climate adaptation and resilience action.”
💭What are the priorities in your local council’s Climate Strategy?
🎤Planning and Energy Updates!
➡️It was great to be invited back to the national conference, presenting on all things planning for @platinumpropertypartners_
🏗️From the government’s push for housing delivery, changes to the application process, revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework and much more – my sessions were all about how to work with the system.
💡Covering more than just “an exciting time for planning”, of course we had to touch on the government’s Warm Homes Plan and consultation around EPC methodology. I was joined by the fantastic Rick Dalton and Malcolm Crabbe, opening up an interactive discussion around how landlords can prepare.
💭How are you keeping up with the government’s plans for planning?
🎤Planning and Energy Updates!
➡️It was great to be invited back to the national conference, presenting on all things planning for @platinumpropertypartners_
🏗️From the government’s push for housing delivery, changes to the application process, revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework and much more – my sessions were all about how to work with the system.
💡Covering more than just “an exciting time for planning”, of course we had to touch on the government’s Warm Homes Plan and consultation around EPC methodology. I was joined by the fantastic Rick Dalton and Malcolm Crabbe, opening up an interactive discussion around how landlords can prepare.
💭How are you keeping up with the government’s plans for planning?
🌇Sky Garden!
📍Located in 20 Fenchurch Street (also known as the ‘Walkie Talkie’), Sky Garden is the highest public garden in London.
🌴This unique space celebrates what is possible through architecture, design, landscaping and engineering. With 360-degree views across London, you can experience the entire capital at the same time as a range of Mediterranean and South African biodiversity.
🌱From bringing the materials up this high to maintaining the micro-climate, there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes to keep projects like this alive. In fact, taking on the maintenance in 2021, @idverdeuk shared: “Speak to the team on the ground and they will tell you that the biggest temperature challenge came as an indirect result of the Covid pandemic.”
🌡️“The lack of visitors to the site and the reduced activity from the offices and restaurants in the building meant that the temperature of the garden itself fell significantly. The team had to adapt to this to try and save plants from dying, while carefully monitoring for the slightest temperature change which could fatally impact recuperating plants.”
💭What aspect of the maintenance would you be most curious about?
🌇Sky Garden!
📍Located in 20 Fenchurch Street (also known as the ‘Walkie Talkie’), Sky Garden is the highest public garden in London.
🌴This unique space celebrates what is possible through architecture, design, landscaping and engineering. With 360-degree views across London, you can experience the entire capital at the same time as a range of Mediterranean and South African biodiversity.
🌱From bringing the materials up this high to maintaining the micro-climate, there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes to keep projects like this alive. In fact, taking on the maintenance in 2021, @idverdeuk shared: “Speak to the team on the ground and they will tell you that the biggest temperature challenge came as an indirect result of the Covid pandemic.”
🌡️“The lack of visitors to the site and the reduced activity from the offices and restaurants in the building meant that the temperature of the garden itself fell significantly. The team had to adapt to this to try and save plants from dying, while carefully monitoring for the slightest temperature change which could fatally impact recuperating plants.”
💭What aspect of the maintenance would you be most curious about?
⛰️Lycabettus Hill!
🏙️As the highest point in central Athens, this hill offers panoramic views of the entire city. Not only are the views absolutely breath-taking from above, the Hill itself is beautiful in its own right as you walk around from below.
📍Looking up at the Hill, at first all I could see was a blurry building. Once I’d actually spent some time up there, it transformed from an enigmatic, distant landmark into a real place. Now, even from far away, I recognise the Church of St. George (the white building perched at the peak) and remember how it smells inside. I think about the cat scaling the cafe, and how the next set of tourists are probably looking down at me thinking ‘they look like tiny ants!’.
💭Beyond what we may see from a distance or online, perspective and a personal relationship with the ‘unknown’ can completely reframe how we view things. Have you experienced this before?
⛰️Lycabettus Hill!
🏙️As the highest point in central Athens, this hill offers panoramic views of the entire city. Not only are the views absolutely breath-taking from above, the Hill itself is beautiful in its own right as you walk around from below.
📍Looking up at the Hill, at first all I could see was a blurry building. Once I’d actually spent some time up there, it transformed from an enigmatic, distant landmark into a real place. Now, even from far away, I recognise the Church of St. George (the white building perched at the peak) and remember how it smells inside. I think about the cat scaling the cafe, and how the next set of tourists are probably looking down at me thinking ‘they look like tiny ants!’.
💭Beyond what we may see from a distance or online, perspective and a personal relationship with the ‘unknown’ can completely reframe how we view things. Have you experienced this before?
📍Olympic Stadium!
🏅The Panathenaic Stadium was the first to host the modern Olympics, kicking-off in Athens back in 1896.
⏳It was built on the site of the previous ancient stadium, constructed in 330BC for the Panathenaic Games. That makes this arena a blend of old and new, celebrating the legacy of sporting across centuries. Even if you’re not an athlete, there’s something pretty epic about standing on the racetracks today.
🏗️The stadium’s historical significance remains honoured through the design and materials. It’s renovation in the 19th century led to the nickname ‘Kallimarmaro’, which means beautiful marble. That’s because it’s the only stadium in the world to be completely made of marble, with the visual impact visible from viewpoints across the city.
💭In a world where sporting venues can be rapidly built and just as quickly abandoned after the games, what lessons can we learn from Kallimarmaro?
📍Olympic Stadium!
🏅The Panathenaic Stadium was the first to host the modern Olympics, kicking-off in Athens back in 1896.
⏳It was built on the site of the previous ancient stadium, constructed in 330BC for the Panathenaic Games. That makes this arena a blend of old and new, celebrating the legacy of sporting across centuries. Even if you’re not an athlete, there’s something pretty epic about standing on the racetracks today.
🏗️The stadium’s historical significance remains honoured through the design and materials. It’s renovation in the 19th century led to the nickname ‘Kallimarmaro’, which means beautiful marble. That’s because it’s the only stadium in the world to be completely made of marble, with the visual impact visible from viewpoints across the city.
💭In a world where sporting venues can be rapidly built and just as quickly abandoned after the games, what lessons can we learn from Kallimarmaro?
🏛️The Acropolis and Parthenon!
🇬🇷Home to world-famous structures like the Parthenon, the Acropolis is a citadel looking over Athens.
📍This World Heritage Site is considered “the most striking and complete ancient Greek monumental complex still existing in our times”, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
➡️The UNESCO record also states “On this hill were born Democracy, Philosophy, Theatre, Freedom of Expression and Speech, which provide to this day the intellectual and spiritual foundation for the contemporary world and its values. The Acropolis’ monuments, having survived for almost twenty-five centuries through wars, explosions, bombardments, fires, earthquakes, sackings, interventions and alterations, have adapted to different uses and the civilizations, myths and religions that flourished in Greece through time.”
💭What are we building today that could stand the test of time and inspire this level of praise thousands of years from now?
🏛️The Acropolis and Parthenon!
🇬🇷Home to world-famous structures like the Parthenon, the Acropolis is a citadel looking over Athens.
📍This World Heritage Site is considered “the most striking and complete ancient Greek monumental complex still existing in our times”, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
➡️The UNESCO record also states “On this hill were born Democracy, Philosophy, Theatre, Freedom of Expression and Speech, which provide to this day the intellectual and spiritual foundation for the contemporary world and its values. The Acropolis’ monuments, having survived for almost twenty-five centuries through wars, explosions, bombardments, fires, earthquakes, sackings, interventions and alterations, have adapted to different uses and the civilizations, myths and religions that flourished in Greece through time.”
💭What are we building today that could stand the test of time and inspire this level of praise thousands of years from now?
🌹Happy Valentine’s!
🇬🇷Sending love from Athens, a capital rich in history (and maybe some spirit of Aphrodite, Ancient Greek Goddess of Love!).
🌙Wondering a city at nighttime can be incredibly romantic. A bright moon, twinkling lights and classical architecture can really set the scene. More than this, the ability to ‘get lost’ amongst it all through meandering streets, lifts/stairwells that take you high and low, and carefully staggered buildings that reveal a special landscape all add to the Valentine’s magic.
📍It’s so important for town planners to remember that our public realm, i.e. the places between places, play such an essential role. The unconfined right to explore can ignite our imagination and help us get to know a city – maybe even start falling in love with it.
💭Where’s your most romantic city and why?
🌹Happy Valentine’s!
🇬🇷Sending love from Athens, a capital rich in history (and maybe some spirit of Aphrodite, Ancient Greek Goddess of Love!).
🌙Wondering a city at nighttime can be incredibly romantic. A bright moon, twinkling lights and classical architecture can really set the scene. More than this, the ability to ‘get lost’ amongst it all through meandering streets, lifts/stairwells that take you high and low, and carefully staggered buildings that reveal a special landscape all add to the Valentine’s magic.
📍It’s so important for town planners to remember that our public realm, i.e. the places between places, play such an essential role. The unconfined right to explore can ignite our imagination and help us get to know a city – maybe even start falling in love with it.
💭Where’s your most romantic city and why?
🌱Oxford Botanic Gardens!
📍Founded in the 1600s, the Oxford Botanic Garden is considered the oldest in the UK. These garden types are important because they host documented plants for scientific research, allowing us to study them across centuries.
📣The group’s mission is to “use our living collections to communicate to the widest possible audience how our future depends on plants.”
📖Walking around the beautiful grounds, one of the creative ways they do this is through the ‘literary garden’ signage. Drawing on the rich history of Oxford, different plants include notes about how they are linked to books: “from The Odyssey to The Overstory, from Alice in Wonderland to Alice Oswald, stories and poems spring from the earth as naturally as trees and flowers. Oxford has offered especially fertile ground for authors.” This includes the descendent of a pine tree that may have inspired the tree people in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings!
💭We know that biodiversity is key for thriving ecosystems, but how has nature inspired your creativity over the years?
🌱Oxford Botanic Gardens!
📍Founded in the 1600s, the Oxford Botanic Garden is considered the oldest in the UK. These garden types are important because they host documented plants for scientific research, allowing us to study them across centuries.
📣The group’s mission is to “use our living collections to communicate to the widest possible audience how our future depends on plants.”
📖Walking around the beautiful grounds, one of the creative ways they do this is through the ‘literary garden’ signage. Drawing on the rich history of Oxford, different plants include notes about how they are linked to books: “from The Odyssey to The Overstory, from Alice in Wonderland to Alice Oswald, stories and poems spring from the earth as naturally as trees and flowers. Oxford has offered especially fertile ground for authors.” This includes the descendent of a pine tree that may have inspired the tree people in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings!
💭We know that biodiversity is key for thriving ecosystems, but how has nature inspired your creativity over the years?
🌲Mirror Houses!
📍Nestled amongst tranquil woodland in Kirtlington, these unique cabins received planning permission with the surrounding Conservation Area and nearby heritage buildings in mind.
➡️A key factor for their approval was the design, considered to be sympathetic to the context by the officer because:
– 🏗️Each cabin would adhere to ‘leave no trace’ principles, being constructed off the ground with no foundations
– 🌲The timber and mirror materials means that they are less visible when reflected within the trees, appearing as a continuation of woodland
– 🏕️The cabins are of a modest size and the roof heights are below the height of the canopies of existing trees
💭Nature tourism can help us foster a deeper relationship with wildlife and biodiversity, if the surroundings are respected. What creative designs have you seen?
🌲Mirror Houses!
📍Nestled amongst tranquil woodland in Kirtlington, these unique cabins received planning permission with the surrounding Conservation Area and nearby heritage buildings in mind.
➡️A key factor for their approval was the design, considered to be sympathetic to the context by the officer because:
– 🏗️Each cabin would adhere to ‘leave no trace’ principles, being constructed off the ground with no foundations
– 🌲The timber and mirror materials means that they are less visible when reflected within the trees, appearing as a continuation of woodland
– 🏕️The cabins are of a modest size and the roof heights are below the height of the canopies of existing trees
💭Nature tourism can help us foster a deeper relationship with wildlife and biodiversity, if the surroundings are respected. What creative designs have you seen?
🕰️Historic Covered Market!
📍Located in Oxford’s city centre, @thecoveredmarketoxford opened in 1774 – over 250 years ago!
💷Further funding has been proposed by @oxfordcitycouncil towards the market redevelopment programme, aspiring to ensure that the space “remains a vibrant and sustainable hub for independent businesses, residents and visitors for generations to come.” To support Oxford`s Zero Emission Zone, one aspect of the redevelopment plan explores:
– 🚲”Facilitating low- and zero-emission movement to and from the market”
– 💡”Minimising energy consumption and support passive strategies for heating, cooling and energy use”
– 📉”Low-carbon retrofitting”
– ♻️”Supporting a circular economy and sustainable Market ecosystem”
– 🌳”Introducing more planting and nature”
🤹🏽♀️This is an example of a project trying to balance social, environmental and economic sustainability, whilst also preserving historic character. What would your ideas be for the Covered Market?
🕰️Historic Covered Market!
📍Located in Oxford’s city centre, @thecoveredmarketoxford opened in 1774 – over 250 years ago!
💷Further funding has been proposed by @oxfordcitycouncil towards the market redevelopment programme, aspiring to ensure that the space “remains a vibrant and sustainable hub for independent businesses, residents and visitors for generations to come.” To support Oxford`s Zero Emission Zone, one aspect of the redevelopment plan explores:
– 🚲”Facilitating low- and zero-emission movement to and from the market”
– 💡”Minimising energy consumption and support passive strategies for heating, cooling and energy use”
– 📉”Low-carbon retrofitting”
– ♻️”Supporting a circular economy and sustainable Market ecosystem”
– 🌳”Introducing more planting and nature”
🤹🏽♀️This is an example of a project trying to balance social, environmental and economic sustainability, whilst also preserving historic character. What would your ideas be for the Covered Market?
🖌️Imagination for Town Planning!
🖼️From very young, many of us are drawn to creating ‘places’.
🗺️Whether it’s forts, doll houses or mini towns, who didn’t love using imagination to escape into worlds of our own design? At any age, playing out life in space can help us express our individual needs and ideas for a better environment.
➡️After a day of babysitting, here are my favourite comments from my 2-year-old niece (a brilliant toy-town planner):
– 🛝“There are too many cars near the playground!”
– 🏡“The house is too small for lunch…”
– 🚗“Uh oh, big Daddy Pig doesn’t fit in the car with Mummy Pig.”
– 🐦“We need more trees for the birds!”
– 🦖“No, dinosaur! Don’t walk on the road!”
💭How would your inner child improve our towns and cities?
🖌️Imagination for Town Planning!
🖼️From very young, many of us are drawn to creating ‘places’.
🗺️Whether it’s forts, doll houses or mini towns, who didn’t love using imagination to escape into worlds of our own design? At any age, playing out life in space can help us express our individual needs and ideas for a better environment.
➡️After a day of babysitting, here are my favourite comments from my 2-year-old niece (a brilliant toy-town planner):
– 🛝“There are too many cars near the playground!”
– 🏡“The house is too small for lunch…”
– 🚗“Uh oh, big Daddy Pig doesn’t fit in the car with Mummy Pig.”
– 🐦“We need more trees for the birds!”
– 🦖“No, dinosaur! Don’t walk on the road!”
💭How would your inner child improve our towns and cities?
🌲Woodland Cafe!
☕️Queen’s Wood Cafe offers a storybook getaway in North West London.
🏙️It’s located in Queen’s Wood, a nature reserve with some of the oldest woodland in London (dating back to at least the 1600s!). From ground flora, bird species and more, this wonderland supports a rich biodiversity.
🪵However, the @haringeycouncil Ancient Woodland page shares: “A recent Habitat Condition Assessment review of our Ancient Woodlands highlighted in the SINC report described the woods as being “in poor condition” suffering from soil erosion due to the excessive footfall (leading to compaction and loss of flora) and flash flooding.”
🌦️The page explains that “climate change is expected to have a number of impacts on UK forests including soil moisture deficits limiting growth in some areas; greater water table fluctuations limiting rooting depth and increase the risk of windthrow; tree disease and pest outbreaks; and greater risk of fire.”
💭How can we help protect and manage our unique habitats for the enjoyment of generations to come?
🌲Woodland Cafe!
☕️Queen’s Wood Cafe offers a storybook getaway in North West London.
🏙️It’s located in Queen’s Wood, a nature reserve with some of the oldest woodland in London (dating back to at least the 1600s!). From ground flora, bird species and more, this wonderland supports a rich biodiversity.
🪵However, the @haringeycouncil Ancient Woodland page shares: “A recent Habitat Condition Assessment review of our Ancient Woodlands highlighted in the SINC report described the woods as being “in poor condition” suffering from soil erosion due to the excessive footfall (leading to compaction and loss of flora) and flash flooding.”
🌦️The page explains that “climate change is expected to have a number of impacts on UK forests including soil moisture deficits limiting growth in some areas; greater water table fluctuations limiting rooting depth and increase the risk of windthrow; tree disease and pest outbreaks; and greater risk of fire.”
💭How can we help protect and manage our unique habitats for the enjoyment of generations to come?
📑Planning Capacity Report!
📊Last week the government published their annual survey of “planning capacity and skills in local authorities in England”. Here are some of the key findings:
👥“In the last 12 months, nine out of 10 planning departments reported some difficulty with recruitment (91%) and seven in 10 (72%) reported some difficulty with retaining staff.”
🧠“Almost all (97%) planning departments reported some planning skills gaps. Planning departments’ short-term strategies to address capacity and skills-gap issues relied heavily on outsourcing. Departments were most likely to address problems with skills gaps by using agency staff (60%), with half (51%) saying they procured external consultants. Of those with unfilled vacancies, half (52%) reported using agency staff and contractors.”
💡These stats show that planners need so much more than an injection of funding/additional staff to support longterm success. What is the biggest change you would make? Check out the gov page to learn more about the survey!
📑Planning Capacity Report!
📊Last week the government published their annual survey of “planning capacity and skills in local authorities in England”. Here are some of the key findings:
👥“In the last 12 months, nine out of 10 planning departments reported some difficulty with recruitment (91%) and seven in 10 (72%) reported some difficulty with retaining staff.”
🧠“Almost all (97%) planning departments reported some planning skills gaps. Planning departments’ short-term strategies to address capacity and skills-gap issues relied heavily on outsourcing. Departments were most likely to address problems with skills gaps by using agency staff (60%), with half (51%) saying they procured external consultants. Of those with unfilled vacancies, half (52%) reported using agency staff and contractors.”
💡These stats show that planners need so much more than an injection of funding/additional staff to support longterm success. What is the biggest change you would make? Check out the gov page to learn more about the survey!
🌱Parklets!
🏙️In dense urban areas it can be hard to find pockets of green space or places to rest.
🪑Having creative solutions like parklets can have an incredibly transformative effect. By making a seat available in the public realm, there’s a welcoming message as well as consideration for those who may need to take breaks along their journey.
🪴Incorporating greenery and cycle parking can contribute to this effect, not just providing a seat but creating a mini escape from day-to-day city life. In areas of high traffic, the right quantity and species of planting can also help mitigate air pollution.
💡One parklet isn’t exactly going to save the world, and they can also sometimes attract litter or unwanted gathering. However, consistent interventions like this can add up to make a positive difference, especially when the local community is involved. Would you like to see more parklets in your it neighbourhood?
🌱Parklets!
🏙️In dense urban areas it can be hard to find pockets of green space or places to rest.
🪑Having creative solutions like parklets can have an incredibly transformative effect. By making a seat available in the public realm, there’s a welcoming message as well as consideration for those who may need to take breaks along their journey.
🪴Incorporating greenery and cycle parking can contribute to this effect, not just providing a seat but creating a mini escape from day-to-day city life. In areas of high traffic, the right quantity and species of planting can also help mitigate air pollution.
💡One parklet isn’t exactly going to save the world, and they can also sometimes attract litter or unwanted gathering. However, consistent interventions like this can add up to make a positive difference, especially when the local community is involved. Would you like to see more parklets in your it neighbourhood?
📍Reading Town!
🚝Reading Station is one of the busiest transport hubs across the country, acting as a key rail interchange for travellers and commuters.
🕰️This makes Reading a common place to pass through, with many who enter the station not actually stepping out into the town itself. However, beyond the railway tracks, Reading boasts a rich history dating back over a thousand years. It’s also the largest town in England!
🗺️For those who regularly use public transport, it can be easy to familiarise with the stops en route without actually making plans to visit and explore. Spontaneously getting off a stop earlier or later on cross-country journeys can help expose us to new experiences, people and natural or urban spaces we wouldn’t otherwise get to know.
💭When was the last time you got off at a random stop? (on purpose!)
📍Reading Town!
🚝Reading Station is one of the busiest transport hubs across the country, acting as a key rail interchange for travellers and commuters.
🕰️This makes Reading a common place to pass through, with many who enter the station not actually stepping out into the town itself. However, beyond the railway tracks, Reading boasts a rich history dating back over a thousand years. It’s also the largest town in England!
🗺️For those who regularly use public transport, it can be easy to familiarise with the stops en route without actually making plans to visit and explore. Spontaneously getting off a stop earlier or later on cross-country journeys can help expose us to new experiences, people and natural or urban spaces we wouldn’t otherwise get to know.
💭When was the last time you got off at a random stop? (on purpose!)
🚇The Tube Map!
🕰️The London tube map we know today is based on Harry Beck’s version from 1933.
💡According to @transportforlondon: “rather than emphasising distance and geographical accuracy, like other maps, Beck based his on the circuit diagrams he drew for his day job; stripping the sprawling Tube network down to a neat diagram of coloured, criss-crossing lines”. It was also “initially rejected by the publicity department because it was considered too radical but a successful trial print-run showed that it was just what the public wanted.”
🗺️As a planner, I do love a good map. They’re supposed to help us find our way and tell the many stories of how we perceive the world around us. Depending on our processing styles, some maps may seem harder to interpret than others.
💭Trying to navigate our complex surroundings can be hard, in life or on public transport. How does your favorite map reveal what makes a journey feel easiest for you?
🚇The Tube Map!
🕰️The London tube map we know today is based on Harry Beck’s version from 1933.
💡According to @transportforlondon: “rather than emphasising distance and geographical accuracy, like other maps, Beck based his on the circuit diagrams he drew for his day job; stripping the sprawling Tube network down to a neat diagram of coloured, criss-crossing lines”. It was also “initially rejected by the publicity department because it was considered too radical but a successful trial print-run showed that it was just what the public wanted.”
🗺️As a planner, I do love a good map. They’re supposed to help us find our way and tell the many stories of how we perceive the world around us. Depending on our processing styles, some maps may seem harder to interpret than others.
💭Trying to navigate our complex surroundings can be hard, in life or on public transport. How does your favorite map reveal what makes a journey feel easiest for you?
🍽️25-Mile Menu!
🏝️The Pig Hotels offer a 25-mile menu, sourcing food within a 25-mile radius to promote local and seasonal dining.
📍From the on-site kitchen garden to the beautiful surrounding area of Dorset, the experience is all about celebrating our resources in creative and sustainable ways. The 25-mile menu even includes a map that illustrates how far the ingredients are!
📊The Pig Hotels officially became @bcorpuk certified in the summer, formally assessed to show the difference they’re making across: Governance, Workers, Community, Environment and Customers. For the group, “it’s always been in our DNA to champion local suppliers and produce, to help our environment thrive, and provide real opportunities for our PIG people to develop their talents.”
💡Do you think connecting to where our food comes from could make dining more enjoyable?
🍽️25-Mile Menu!
🏝️The Pig Hotels offer a 25-mile menu, sourcing food within a 25-mile radius to promote local and seasonal dining.
📍From the on-site kitchen garden to the beautiful surrounding area of Dorset, the experience is all about celebrating our resources in creative and sustainable ways. The 25-mile menu even includes a map that illustrates how far the ingredients are!
📊The Pig Hotels officially became @bcorpuk certified in the summer, formally assessed to show the difference they’re making across: Governance, Workers, Community, Environment and Customers. For the group, “it’s always been in our DNA to champion local suppliers and produce, to help our environment thrive, and provide real opportunities for our PIG people to develop their talents.”
💡Do you think connecting to where our food comes from could make dining more enjoyable?
🎄Christmas Hygge!
☕️According to the online Cambridge Dictionary, hygge is defined as “a Danish word for a quality of cosiness (= feeling warm, comfortable, and safe) that comes from doing simple things such as lighting candles, baking, or spending time at home with your family: The high season of hygge is Christmas, when Danes don’t hold back with the candles and mulled wine.”
🕯️Particularly in countries that get cold and darker during the festive period, attracting warmth and light indoors can play a huge role in improving mood. More than just literaly, symbolically curating a space with hope can go a long way in tackling some of the difficulties that may come up this time of year.
🏡The power of place on our well-being is mighty. If you or someone you know is struggling this Christmas, what simple changes could help add hygge at home?
➡️For mental health support check out @mindcharity
🎄Christmas Hygge!
☕️According to the online Cambridge Dictionary, hygge is defined as “a Danish word for a quality of cosiness (= feeling warm, comfortable, and safe) that comes from doing simple things such as lighting candles, baking, or spending time at home with your family: The high season of hygge is Christmas, when Danes don’t hold back with the candles and mulled wine.”
🕯️Particularly in countries that get cold and darker during the festive period, attracting warmth and light indoors can play a huge role in improving mood. More than just literaly, symbolically curating a space with hope can go a long way in tackling some of the difficulties that may come up this time of year.
🏡The power of place on our well-being is mighty. If you or someone you know is struggling this Christmas, what simple changes could help add hygge at home?
➡️For mental health support check out @mindcharity
🏝️Storms and Coastlines!
🌊Storms can have significant impacts on coastal regions, causing coastal erosion through strong currents and high waves.
➡️Environmental changes like this have a knock on effect across wider social and economic issues. Some examples include:
– 💰A need to increase budget, workforce and skills to support fixing damage from storms. This could involve handling fallen trees or re-engineering compromised paths.
– 🚫Temporary closures, which can affect travel plans or block key access points to particular areas. This can be particularly dangerous when urgent transport is needed.
– 🏞️Permanent closures due to public hazards. In the case of Middle Beach here: “the café, toilet block and other buildings were removed because the cliff below them is gradually falling into the sea.”
💡How prepared is your local area to manage storm damage?
🏝️Storms and Coastlines!
🌊Storms can have significant impacts on coastal regions, causing coastal erosion through strong currents and high waves.
➡️Environmental changes like this have a knock on effect across wider social and economic issues. Some examples include:
– 💰A need to increase budget, workforce and skills to support fixing damage from storms. This could involve handling fallen trees or re-engineering compromised paths.
– 🚫Temporary closures, which can affect travel plans or block key access points to particular areas. This can be particularly dangerous when urgent transport is needed.
– 🏞️Permanent closures due to public hazards. In the case of Middle Beach here: “the café, toilet block and other buildings were removed because the cliff below them is gradually falling into the sea.”
💡How prepared is your local area to manage storm damage?
📑New National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)!
🗞️Planning has been in the news consistently over the past few months as the government promote their “pro-growth agenda”, committing to 1.5 million new homes in England by the end of this Parliament.
🏗️In order to achieve this, the government have targeted the planning system itself. This includes the updated NPPF 2024, which was officially published last week. This key document sets out the national planning policies in England, influencing how the country is shaped.
🏘️There is a leading emphasis on housing and associated infrastructure delivery, with clarified pressure on Local Authorities to meet housing targets. The Standard Method for calculating housing need has also been updated in parallel (check out the government website for details).
🧩Not a small job for planners in 2025 – particularly to balance against environmental responsibilities! Are you feeling optimistic or pessimistic?
📑New National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)!
🗞️Planning has been in the news consistently over the past few months as the government promote their “pro-growth agenda”, committing to 1.5 million new homes in England by the end of this Parliament.
🏗️In order to achieve this, the government have targeted the planning system itself. This includes the updated NPPF 2024, which was officially published last week. This key document sets out the national planning policies in England, influencing how the country is shaped.
🏘️There is a leading emphasis on housing and associated infrastructure delivery, with clarified pressure on Local Authorities to meet housing targets. The Standard Method for calculating housing need has also been updated in parallel (check out the government website for details).
🧩Not a small job for planners in 2025 – particularly to balance against environmental responsibilities! Are you feeling optimistic or pessimistic?
🎤Webinar Wrap-Up!
💡Thank you to the 60+ people who registered to join us for our webinar: Retrofit Skills – What’s Next? Here’s a few short snippets!
➡️The session was hosted by Mahsa Ige, Founder of Urbanist on a Mission, which aims to motivate the creation of sustainable places through town planning, public speaking and social media. Following the webinar, @urbanistonamission commented:
“It was a privilege to host this interactive session featuring three experienced Retrofit Coordinators, Ben Owen, Ian Preston and Tom Procter. They offered some great insights into the real world of retrofitting, from the different roles within the industry, managing communication and overcoming challenges.
As the country aims to retrofit at pace for more efficient, safe and comfortable homes, it’s so important to understand what the process looks like in practice. Amongst the audience, some of their biggest barriers to retrofitting included:
* Training and skills
* Costs and homeowner awareness
* Opportunities for experience, shadowing and finding freelance work
I believe that what RetrofitWorks are doing to create a community for shared knowledge and experience is absolutely vital for achieving the retrofit revolution.”
🗓️Check out @retrofitworks for the next webinar on Thursday 23rd January with Dave Bailey from @your.home.better talking all things electricals!
🎤Webinar Wrap-Up!
💡Thank you to the 60+ people who registered to join us for our webinar: Retrofit Skills – What’s Next? Here’s a few short snippets!
➡️The session was hosted by Mahsa Ige, Founder of Urbanist on a Mission, which aims to motivate the creation of sustainable places through town planning, public speaking and social media. Following the webinar, @urbanistonamission commented:
“It was a privilege to host this interactive session featuring three experienced Retrofit Coordinators, Ben Owen, Ian Preston and Tom Procter. They offered some great insights into the real world of retrofitting, from the different roles within the industry, managing communication and overcoming challenges.
As the country aims to retrofit at pace for more efficient, safe and comfortable homes, it’s so important to understand what the process looks like in practice. Amongst the audience, some of their biggest barriers to retrofitting included:
* Training and skills
* Costs and homeowner awareness
* Opportunities for experience, shadowing and finding freelance work
I believe that what RetrofitWorks are doing to create a community for shared knowledge and experience is absolutely vital for achieving the retrofit revolution.”
🗓️Check out @retrofitworks for the next webinar on Thursday 23rd January with Dave Bailey from @your.home.better talking all things electricals!
🌸Birthday Workshop!
➡️Thank you to the wonderful @vladanka7 and @clitterhousefarm for hosting this flower pressing workshop, it was a great way to spend my birthday!
🍁Coming together under candlelight in this community garden was such a fun autumnal activity. Combining handmade paper, creativity and nature was very relaxing, especially with the sound of rain against the glasshouse.
🌱The community garden adds beauty and biodiversity to Clitterhouse Farm, as well as herbs, fruits and vegetables for the café. The all-vegan spread was delicious and the team did an amazing job!
📍I’ve been volunteering here over the past few months because of the group’s important mission: building and supporting resilient and sustainable communities in and around Clitterhouse Farm and Northwest London.
💡Whether it’s an event, volunteering or just stopping by to say hello – how could you support your local community hubs?
🌸Birthday Workshop!
➡️Thank you to the wonderful @vladanka7 and @clitterhousefarm for hosting this flower pressing workshop, it was a great way to spend my birthday!
🍁Coming together under candlelight in this community garden was such a fun autumnal activity. Combining handmade paper, creativity and nature was very relaxing, especially with the sound of rain against the glasshouse.
🌱The community garden adds beauty and biodiversity to Clitterhouse Farm, as well as herbs, fruits and vegetables for the café. The all-vegan spread was delicious and the team did an amazing job!
📍I’ve been volunteering here over the past few months because of the group’s important mission: building and supporting resilient and sustainable communities in and around Clitterhouse Farm and Northwest London.
💡Whether it’s an event, volunteering or just stopping by to say hello – how could you support your local community hubs?
🎤Zaha Hadid Architects and Let’s Build!
🌎Thank you again to @zahahadidarchitects and @letsbuild__ build for inviting me to present on Climate Change: Global Thinking.
🏗️This is a small sneak peak into one of many sessions led by the Let’s Build group. They are working to inspire change, confidence and knowledge-sharing across the built sector. Whether it’s people, planet, profit or place, the network is about reimagining the construction industry and its impact at global and local scales.
📍From @londonbuildexpo (tickets still available for tomorrow!), to their newly launched Academy, the group is open to all who want to learn and connect on these issues.
➡️Thank you to everyone who attended, the brilliant chair @annettefisherarchitect and passionate speakers Pooran Desai @oneplanet.life , Lanré Gboladé, Daniel K Poku-Davies and Bareera B. – let’s keep the conversation going!
🎤Zaha Hadid Architects and Let’s Build!
🌎Thank you again to @zahahadidarchitects and @letsbuild__ build for inviting me to present on Climate Change: Global Thinking.
🏗️This is a small sneak peak into one of many sessions led by the Let’s Build group. They are working to inspire change, confidence and knowledge-sharing across the built sector. Whether it’s people, planet, profit or place, the network is about reimagining the construction industry and its impact at global and local scales.
📍From @londonbuildexpo (tickets still available for tomorrow!), to their newly launched Academy, the group is open to all who want to learn and connect on these issues.
➡️Thank you to everyone who attended, the brilliant chair @annettefisherarchitect and passionate speakers Pooran Desai @oneplanet.life , Lanré Gboladé, Daniel K Poku-Davies and Bareera B. – let’s keep the conversation going!
📣Retrofit Webinar!
💡RetrofitWorks are launching their first free webinar with three expert Retrofit Coordinators (RCs) sharing their experiences from across the country.
🏡As the demand for sustainable buildings grows, so does the need for expert retrofit coordination. Retrofit Coordinators (RCs) play a crucial role in overseeing and managing the retrofit process, but what does the journey into the industry actually look like? Hear from our expert Retrofit Coordinators in this unique webinar to find out!
💬This session will focus on the realities of life as an RC. From career switches, managing expectations on site, developing skills and much more, the webinar will provide an opportunity to better understand what’s involved in the process.
➡️Register via the QR code, Eventbrite or email [email protected] to take part!
📣Retrofit Webinar!
💡RetrofitWorks are launching their first free webinar with three expert Retrofit Coordinators (RCs) sharing their experiences from across the country.
🏡As the demand for sustainable buildings grows, so does the need for expert retrofit coordination. Retrofit Coordinators (RCs) play a crucial role in overseeing and managing the retrofit process, but what does the journey into the industry actually look like? Hear from our expert Retrofit Coordinators in this unique webinar to find out!
💬This session will focus on the realities of life as an RC. From career switches, managing expectations on site, developing skills and much more, the webinar will provide an opportunity to better understand what’s involved in the process.
➡️Register via the QR code, Eventbrite or email [email protected] to take part!
🏡House Shares and Mental Health!
📍I met with @vickyleung._ in Oxford who talked me through the ethos behind the @medshare_uk house shares.
📣Vicky’s job is to “make sure our housemates are heard” and be “their voice”. At a time when providing good quality housing is at the top of the government’s agenda, it’s so important to highlight examples of positive renting dynamics.
🍻Beyond a focus on communication, comfort and design, Vicky’s passion clearly lies in fostering an authentic sense of community within and between the Medshare houses. For those who may have just moved to a new area, be too busy with work for social plans or just prefer living with others, finding the right shared house could be life-changing.
💡What does a good quality house share look like to you?
🏡House Shares and Mental Health!
📍I met with @vickyleung._ in Oxford who talked me through the ethos behind the @medshare_uk house shares.
📣Vicky’s job is to “make sure our housemates are heard” and be “their voice”. At a time when providing good quality housing is at the top of the government’s agenda, it’s so important to highlight examples of positive renting dynamics.
🍻Beyond a focus on communication, comfort and design, Vicky’s passion clearly lies in fostering an authentic sense of community within and between the Medshare houses. For those who may have just moved to a new area, be too busy with work for social plans or just prefer living with others, finding the right shared house could be life-changing.
💡What does a good quality house share look like to you?
💡RetrofitWorks Webinar!
Join Mahsa Ige and RetrofitWorks experts for a peak into life as a Retrofit Coordinator: the opportunities, challenges and more!
🗓️Thursday 28 November 2024
⏰11:30-12:30
📍Online: Register via Eventbrite or email [email protected]
Our first online Webinar will be specifically designed for both new and existing Retrofit Coordinators, however open to everyone who has an interest in the retrofit world.
💡RetrofitWorks Webinar!
Join Mahsa Ige and RetrofitWorks experts for a peak into life as a Retrofit Coordinator: the opportunities, challenges and more!
🗓️Thursday 28 November 2024
⏰11:30-12:30
📍Online: Register via Eventbrite or email [email protected]
Our first online Webinar will be specifically designed for both new and existing Retrofit Coordinators, however open to everyone who has an interest in the retrofit world.
🏡Eco Home Tours!
💡The South East London Community Energy Co-op (SELCE) provide a variety of resources and events to help people reduce their energy bills, lower emissions and feel comfortable at home.
🗓️This includes free eco home tours across South East London – with the next one on Saturday November 9th in Deptford!
📝These tours allow you to visit real retrofit projects, seeing first-hand how the energy efficiency has been improved. From cost breakdowns, technology comparisons and health impacts, it’s a great opportunity to ask any questions you might have or get some inspiration! Retrofitting can include measures like:
– 🏚️insulating your loft, walls, and floors
– 💷upgrading your heating system
– 🪟upgrading your windows to double or triple glazing
– ☀️installing solar panels
➡️Check out the @seloncommenergy website to sign up to the next eco home tour, access free energy advice, learn more about available grants and much more!
🏡Eco Home Tours!
💡The South East London Community Energy Co-op (SELCE) provide a variety of resources and events to help people reduce their energy bills, lower emissions and feel comfortable at home.
🗓️This includes free eco home tours across South East London – with the next one on Saturday November 9th in Deptford!
📝These tours allow you to visit real retrofit projects, seeing first-hand how the energy efficiency has been improved. From cost breakdowns, technology comparisons and health impacts, it’s a great opportunity to ask any questions you might have or get some inspiration! Retrofitting can include measures like:
– 🏚️insulating your loft, walls, and floors
– 💷upgrading your heating system
– 🪟upgrading your windows to double or triple glazing
– ☀️installing solar panels
➡️Check out the @seloncommenergy website to sign up to the next eco home tour, access free energy advice, learn more about available grants and much more!
📍Global Village!
🗺️This place is defined as “A world without borders. A world where more than 90 cultures come together to celebrate wonder.”
🏛️This highly unique setting hosts pavilions representing countries from all over the globe. Each culture manifests in the form of entry-ways mimicking typical architecture to that region. They act like a portal: showcasing local items to buy, music, performances and food.
👁️Visitors exploring the different pavilions can learn more about other cultures, or just feel closer to home. For many who are separated from their countries, being able to access familiar smells, tastes and sounds can be enormously positive.
💭The concept of “global village” is about seeing the world as one single community. Where can you go locally to foster meaningful relationships with others around the world, humanising the people behind place?
📍Global Village!
🗺️This place is defined as “A world without borders. A world where more than 90 cultures come together to celebrate wonder.”
🏛️This highly unique setting hosts pavilions representing countries from all over the globe. Each culture manifests in the form of entry-ways mimicking typical architecture to that region. They act like a portal: showcasing local items to buy, music, performances and food.
👁️Visitors exploring the different pavilions can learn more about other cultures, or just feel closer to home. For many who are separated from their countries, being able to access familiar smells, tastes and sounds can be enormously positive.
💭The concept of “global village” is about seeing the world as one single community. Where can you go locally to foster meaningful relationships with others around the world, humanising the people behind place?
🏜️Desert Conservation Reserve!
🌅Desert landscapes are often viewed as baron lands. However, like all habitats they host intricate ecosystems. Covering approximately 5% of Dubai, the @ddcr_uae has outlined 6 strategic management goals to support the country’s desert reserve:
– 🌱“A new rewilding paradigm for regional desert conservation that fosters thriving habitats and a diversity of indigenous species
– 🌵Achieve and maintain a balance between all species populations, particularly ungulates and the natural regenerative properties of the available vegetation.
– 🏜️Ensure that all management interventions and practices are sustainable and geared towards natural habitat rehabilitation.
– 📑Maintain the reserves position as an IUCN Green List protected area with effective management, good governance and planning that optimise conservation outcomes.
– 🌏Maintain the DDCR’s position as a regional leader in biodiversity conservation and building resilience to climate change in arid land ecosystems.
– 📍Become the premier destination for authentic nature-based experiences in the UAE.”
💭How are vulnerable habitats being protected near you?
🏜️Desert Conservation Reserve!
🌅Desert landscapes are often viewed as baron lands. However, like all habitats they host intricate ecosystems. Covering approximately 5% of Dubai, the @ddcr_uae has outlined 6 strategic management goals to support the country’s desert reserve:
– 🌱“A new rewilding paradigm for regional desert conservation that fosters thriving habitats and a diversity of indigenous species
– 🌵Achieve and maintain a balance between all species populations, particularly ungulates and the natural regenerative properties of the available vegetation.
– 🏜️Ensure that all management interventions and practices are sustainable and geared towards natural habitat rehabilitation.
– 📑Maintain the reserves position as an IUCN Green List protected area with effective management, good governance and planning that optimise conservation outcomes.
– 🌏Maintain the DDCR’s position as a regional leader in biodiversity conservation and building resilience to climate change in arid land ecosystems.
– 📍Become the premier destination for authentic nature-based experiences in the UAE.”
💭How are vulnerable habitats being protected near you?
🏗️Rapid Urbanisation!
🏜️Dubai is an example of rapid urbanisation in an unexpected landscape. Skyscrapers have seemingly sprouted out of the ground over the past few decades as a result of economic growth. This includes the tallest building in the world.
🏙️Such intense development has required considerable innovative engineering, planning, architecture and infrastructure. However, like all fast-growing cities, this makes resilience and climate action vital if we’re going to protect the inhabitants and properties long-term. We also can’t talk about sustainable development without highlighting the absolute need for fair treatment and conditions for those working in the construction industry.
💡Do you think adaption to climate change impacts, e.g. having sophisticated systems for managing water flow, drainage and heat, should be the top design priority for all urban development?
🏗️Rapid Urbanisation!
🏜️Dubai is an example of rapid urbanisation in an unexpected landscape. Skyscrapers have seemingly sprouted out of the ground over the past few decades as a result of economic growth. This includes the tallest building in the world.
🏙️Such intense development has required considerable innovative engineering, planning, architecture and infrastructure. However, like all fast-growing cities, this makes resilience and climate action vital if we’re going to protect the inhabitants and properties long-term. We also can’t talk about sustainable development without highlighting the absolute need for fair treatment and conditions for those working in the construction industry.
💡Do you think adaption to climate change impacts, e.g. having sophisticated systems for managing water flow, drainage and heat, should be the top design priority for all urban development?
💪🏽The People Behind the Project!
🐝The volunteers at @thegreenprojectsb do so much more than provide healthy pockets of green space for those in the area to enjoy (including the bees!).
🧠As a collective, people bring different skills and experiences to share with those around them. Volunteering attracts a variety of participants from the local community and even sometimes from further away, helping with a mix of consistent or even one time drop ins.
🌱Keeping momentum going with such a fluid support system can be very difficult, often requiring a core group of dedicated and driven members to ensure the spirit of the project stays alive. This is why it’s so important not to underestimate the power of an individual. One person can inspire others, bring people together and even set off a domino effect passing far wider than their own neighbourhood.
💡What metaphorical (or literal) seeds could you plant to kick off a positive chain reaction locally?
💪🏽The People Behind the Project!
🐝The volunteers at @thegreenprojectsb do so much more than provide healthy pockets of green space for those in the area to enjoy (including the bees!).
🧠As a collective, people bring different skills and experiences to share with those around them. Volunteering attracts a variety of participants from the local community and even sometimes from further away, helping with a mix of consistent or even one time drop ins.
🌱Keeping momentum going with such a fluid support system can be very difficult, often requiring a core group of dedicated and driven members to ensure the spirit of the project stays alive. This is why it’s so important not to underestimate the power of an individual. One person can inspire others, bring people together and even set off a domino effect passing far wider than their own neighbourhood.
💡What metaphorical (or literal) seeds could you plant to kick off a positive chain reaction locally?