engagement
Spotlighting Places & Projects for Sustainability
🍇Wine and Architecture!
🍷Beyond a family legacy in winemaking that dates back 27 generations, it’s the architecture by @archea_associati here at @marchesiantinori that leaves a lasting impression.
🌱This winery sits in the Italian hills between Florence and Siena. It’s discrete and harmonious design is achieved through both subtle and more obvious details. Submerged into the hillside and across multiple different levels (including the rooftop which is also used as a vineyard!), the structure seamlessly blends into the natural landscape.
📏From taking advantage of gravity for the flow of wine between different functional rooms to underground cooling, operational needs specific to the intended use have also been considered throughout the development. The group describes this as a unity between ‘innovation and tradition’.
💭How are designs in your area trying to achieve this balance?
🍇Wine and Architecture!
🍷Beyond a family legacy in winemaking that dates back 27 generations, it’s the architecture by @archea_associati here at @marchesiantinori that leaves a lasting impression.
🌱This winery sits in the Italian hills between Florence and Siena. It’s discrete and harmonious design is achieved through both subtle and more obvious details. Submerged into the hillside and across multiple different levels (including the rooftop which is also used as a vineyard!), the structure seamlessly blends into the natural landscape.
📏From taking advantage of gravity for the flow of wine between different functional rooms to underground cooling, operational needs specific to the intended use have also been considered throughout the development. The group describes this as a unity between ‘innovation and tradition’.
💭How are designs in your area trying to achieve this balance?
🌱Chelsea Physic Garden!
📍Volunteers of the Memorial Garden at the @museumofbrands enjoyed a fantastic tour from @richardchoksey at @chelsea_physic_garden this week.
⏳The incredibly unique space has been running since 1673, serving as ‘the only botanic garden collection focused entirely on medicinal, herbal and useful plants’. This makes it so much more than a visual and sensory experience, but also a journey through time.
🗺️Beyond the plants, a core emphasis of the tour was recognising its colonial legacy. The importance of acknowledging, crediting and respecting knowledge from indigenous communities was championed by Richard. This allowed us to have meaningful conversations about the social, environmental and economic factors shaping the collection’s past and future.
🪴You can learn more about the different tours on the @chelsea_physic_garden website!
🌱Chelsea Physic Garden!
📍Volunteers of the Memorial Garden at the @museumofbrands enjoyed a fantastic tour from @richardchoksey at @chelsea_physic_garden this week.
⏳The incredibly unique space has been running since 1673, serving as ‘the only botanic garden collection focused entirely on medicinal, herbal and useful plants’. This makes it so much more than a visual and sensory experience, but also a journey through time.
🗺️Beyond the plants, a core emphasis of the tour was recognising its colonial legacy. The importance of acknowledging, crediting and respecting knowledge from indigenous communities was championed by Richard. This allowed us to have meaningful conversations about the social, environmental and economic factors shaping the collection’s past and future.
🪴You can learn more about the different tours on the @chelsea_physic_garden website!
🏘️Housing for Heritage!
🎤Thank you to the 250+ people who signed up for our RTPI webinar last week, cohosted with the fantastic @preach_inclusion!
📊 Priya Aggarwal-Shah, Founder and Director of PREACH Inclusion, spotlighted the importance of understanding local demographic trends. She also emphasised the diverse needs within and across ethnic groups.
📑Parag Dhanani, Senior Planning Officer at @brentcouncil, talked about tools and resources that could help guide planners in delivering culturally sensitive housing (such as Supplementary Planning Documents, Community Review Panels and more).
🏗️ Vinesh Pomal, Architect and Senior Lecturer at @dmuleicester, zoomed into the day to day experience for residents when it comes to the role of housing for heritage. He shared examples from small design details right through to inspiration from global case studies.
💡Elliot Smith from the RTPI London committee led the Q&A and discussion with the audience, exploring the different themes, challenges and opportunities presented.
🎟️Did you join or manage to catch-up? Check out the @rtpiplanners page for future events!
🏘️Housing for Heritage!
🎤Thank you to the 250+ people who signed up for our RTPI webinar last week, cohosted with the fantastic @preach_inclusion!
📊 Priya Aggarwal-Shah, Founder and Director of PREACH Inclusion, spotlighted the importance of understanding local demographic trends. She also emphasised the diverse needs within and across ethnic groups.
📑Parag Dhanani, Senior Planning Officer at @brentcouncil, talked about tools and resources that could help guide planners in delivering culturally sensitive housing (such as Supplementary Planning Documents, Community Review Panels and more).
🏗️ Vinesh Pomal, Architect and Senior Lecturer at @dmuleicester, zoomed into the day to day experience for residents when it comes to the role of housing for heritage. He shared examples from small design details right through to inspiration from global case studies.
💡Elliot Smith from the RTPI London committee led the Q&A and discussion with the audience, exploring the different themes, challenges and opportunities presented.
🎟️Did you join or manage to catch-up? Check out the @rtpiplanners page for future events!
🦇Bat Walks!
🌌Being at The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) after hours for a bat walk is definitely a unique way to spend your evening!
📍Hosting seven different species, this site is one of the best places in the city to learn more about bats. The team are incredibly passionate about what they do, with a contagious enthusiasm and wealth of knowledge to share about these special creatures.
👂🏽We used bat detectors to convert their high frequency sounds to a level human ears could hear, learning more about how they use echolocation and influence the ecosystems we rely upon. Afterwards, we came together around a fire to roast marshmallows (including vegan ones), connecting with nature and each other.
👀Have you ever seen a bat? Check out @wwtlondon if you’d been keen to take part on the 12th and 19th of September dates!
🦇Bat Walks!
🌌Being at The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) after hours for a bat walk is definitely a unique way to spend your evening!
📍Hosting seven different species, this site is one of the best places in the city to learn more about bats. The team are incredibly passionate about what they do, with a contagious enthusiasm and wealth of knowledge to share about these special creatures.
👂🏽We used bat detectors to convert their high frequency sounds to a level human ears could hear, learning more about how they use echolocation and influence the ecosystems we rely upon. Afterwards, we came together around a fire to roast marshmallows (including vegan ones), connecting with nature and each other.
👀Have you ever seen a bat? Check out @wwtlondon if you’d been keen to take part on the 12th and 19th of September dates!
🏘️Expressing Culture & Housing!
🎤I caught up with Vinesh Pomal, Architect and Senior Lecturer at De Montfort University, to talk about the role of housing for heritage.
⏰Vinesh is one of our three speakers for an upcoming RTPI webinar on this topic – with only a few hours to go! He emphasised the importance of the end user when thinking about the homes that architects and planners create.
🚪Looking at examples like porches and hallways, we consider some of the small details that can play an important cultural role, as well as a practical one. Vinesh passionately highlights how design decisions like this can influence the type of people that are attracted to renting or buying a property, positively or negatively impacting daily life.
🎟️To join us this afternoon for the webinar check out the @rtpiplanners events page! What housing design choices help or hinder expressing your culture at home?
#southasianheritagemonth
🏘️Expressing Culture & Housing!
🎤I caught up with Vinesh Pomal, Architect and Senior Lecturer at De Montfort University, to talk about the role of housing for heritage.
⏰Vinesh is one of our three speakers for an upcoming RTPI webinar on this topic – with only a few hours to go! He emphasised the importance of the end user when thinking about the homes that architects and planners create.
🚪Looking at examples like porches and hallways, we consider some of the small details that can play an important cultural role, as well as a practical one. Vinesh passionately highlights how design decisions like this can influence the type of people that are attracted to renting or buying a property, positively or negatively impacting daily life.
🎟️To join us this afternoon for the webinar check out the @rtpiplanners events page! What housing design choices help or hinder expressing your culture at home?
#southasianheritagemonth
📍Soho Square!
🌳Whether you’re enjoying this pocket of green space or walking through in a rush, it’s hard to miss the central building in Soho Square Gardens.
⏳Located in London’s West End, this structure is an official Listed Building due to its ‘special architectural or historic interest’. A quick search on the @historicengland website reveals that it was ‘built by Messrs J. Strutt & Co, 27 Endell Street for the Charing Cross Electricity Company as a disguise for an electricity sub-station.’
Today, the site is formally listed as a ‘central timber framed arbour/tool shed’. Information on the style, materials and detailing can also be found on the National Heritage List for England (NHLE). This is a public register of all nationally protected historic buildings and sites in England.
💭Have you ever noticed a building so interesting that you looked up the history?
📍Soho Square!
🌳Whether you’re enjoying this pocket of green space or walking through in a rush, it’s hard to miss the central building in Soho Square Gardens.
⏳Located in London’s West End, this structure is an official Listed Building due to its ‘special architectural or historic interest’. A quick search on the @historicengland website reveals that it was ‘built by Messrs J. Strutt & Co, 27 Endell Street for the Charing Cross Electricity Company as a disguise for an electricity sub-station.’
Today, the site is formally listed as a ‘central timber framed arbour/tool shed’. Information on the style, materials and detailing can also be found on the National Heritage List for England (NHLE). This is a public register of all nationally protected historic buildings and sites in England.
💭Have you ever noticed a building so interesting that you looked up the history?
🏘️Community Review Panel!
🎤I sat down with Senior Planning Officer at Brent Council, Parag Dhanani, to talk about the role of housing for heritage.
📍Parag passionately spoke of his personal and professional interest in the borough, highlighting the role of council officers to serve. With experience living in a multigenerational household and being a resident of Brent throughout his life, Parag has great insight into how the area has developed over the years.
🏗️Recognising the value of local knowledge and experience, we spoke about the new Community Review Panel. This helps the council to ‘better understand the needs of the local community by playing an independent advisory role in the planning process through discussion of issues around housing, transport, public and green spaces, and the environment.’
🎟️To learn more, join me, Parag and fellow speakers online on the 8th of August for ‘The Role of Housing for Heritage’ webinar- tickets available via the @rtpiplanners Events page!
#southasianheritagemonth
🏘️Community Review Panel!
🎤I sat down with Senior Planning Officer at Brent Council, Parag Dhanani, to talk about the role of housing for heritage.
📍Parag passionately spoke of his personal and professional interest in the borough, highlighting the role of council officers to serve. With experience living in a multigenerational household and being a resident of Brent throughout his life, Parag has great insight into how the area has developed over the years.
🏗️Recognising the value of local knowledge and experience, we spoke about the new Community Review Panel. This helps the council to ‘better understand the needs of the local community by playing an independent advisory role in the planning process through discussion of issues around housing, transport, public and green spaces, and the environment.’
🎟️To learn more, join me, Parag and fellow speakers online on the 8th of August for ‘The Role of Housing for Heritage’ webinar- tickets available via the @rtpiplanners Events page!
#southasianheritagemonth
📍Portland Bill Lighthouse!
🏞️This red and white lighthouse can be found on the edge of Dorset’s Isle of Portland along the striking rocky cliffs.
🌊Whether looking on from afar or climbing up the structure for panoramic views, there’s something so special about these types of structures. Built in 1906, like many other lighthouses across the country this site marks important maritime heritage.
⚠️Not only did it warn of danger through sound and light flashes, the unique signature patterns also helped people identify which specific lighthouse it was and consequently navigate where they were. Advances in technology and the automation of these systems back in 1996 meant the role of the lighthouse keeper was no longer needed; however, the legacy lives on through the building and local storytelling.
💭Do you know of any nearby lighthouses? If so, how have they been preserved or repurposed?
📍Portland Bill Lighthouse!
🏞️This red and white lighthouse can be found on the edge of Dorset’s Isle of Portland along the striking rocky cliffs.
🌊Whether looking on from afar or climbing up the structure for panoramic views, there’s something so special about these types of structures. Built in 1906, like many other lighthouses across the country this site marks important maritime heritage.
⚠️Not only did it warn of danger through sound and light flashes, the unique signature patterns also helped people identify which specific lighthouse it was and consequently navigate where they were. Advances in technology and the automation of these systems back in 1996 meant the role of the lighthouse keeper was no longer needed; however, the legacy lives on through the building and local storytelling.
💭Do you know of any nearby lighthouses? If so, how have they been preserved or repurposed?
📊Planning Statistics!
🎤It was a pleasure to speak at the Platinum Summit on planning trends, particularly looking at decisions across the country on housing.
📑Every three months the government releases statistics about the number of planning applications made and permissions granted in England. From live tables and summary pages to an interactive dashboard, there are multiple ways to explore what’s happening in urban development at broad and more local levels.
🏗️Access to public resources like this is so important for a number of reasons. The data can give a sense of building priorities in particular areas and show how this compares to other districts. It can also help us see what development may happen over the next few years, as well as whether the planning process itself tends to be supportive or not.
💡Have you checked out the gov national planning statistics webpage before?
📊Planning Statistics!
🎤It was a pleasure to speak at the Platinum Summit on planning trends, particularly looking at decisions across the country on housing.
📑Every three months the government releases statistics about the number of planning applications made and permissions granted in England. From live tables and summary pages to an interactive dashboard, there are multiple ways to explore what’s happening in urban development at broad and more local levels.
🏗️Access to public resources like this is so important for a number of reasons. The data can give a sense of building priorities in particular areas and show how this compares to other districts. It can also help us see what development may happen over the next few years, as well as whether the planning process itself tends to be supportive or not.
💡Have you checked out the gov national planning statistics webpage before?
🎤PREACH Inclusion!
🏘️In the lead up to our upcoming RTPI webinar on ‘The Role of Housing for Heritage’, I sat down with the brilliant Priya Aggarwal-Shah, Founder and Director of PREACH Inclusion.
🏗️Priya spoke about how her experience in community engagement led to creating the group. In recognising a disparity between decisions for the built environment, the sector itself and those it’s supposed to represent, @preach_inclusion has worked over the past 8 years to bridge the gap with campaigns, events, consultancy and more.
🎟️To take part in the conversation or ask your questions, join us online on the 8th of August for ‘The Role of Housing for Heritage’ – tickets available via the @rtpiplanners Events page!
#southasianheritagemonth
🎤PREACH Inclusion!
🏘️In the lead up to our upcoming RTPI webinar on ‘The Role of Housing for Heritage’, I sat down with the brilliant Priya Aggarwal-Shah, Founder and Director of PREACH Inclusion.
🏗️Priya spoke about how her experience in community engagement led to creating the group. In recognising a disparity between decisions for the built environment, the sector itself and those it’s supposed to represent, @preach_inclusion has worked over the past 8 years to bridge the gap with campaigns, events, consultancy and more.
🎟️To take part in the conversation or ask your questions, join us online on the 8th of August for ‘The Role of Housing for Heritage’ – tickets available via the @rtpiplanners Events page!
#southasianheritagemonth
🏙️Adaptive London!
🏗️This exhibition at the @nlalondon is an inspiring showcase of exemplar sites. The focus is around the reuse of existing buildings, championing creative and sustainable development solutions.
📍The NLA shares that ‘these projects are shown alongside deep engagement with a wide range of industry stakeholders, highlighting the main factors driving successful adaptation while also addressing the challenges of reuse and retrofit, aiming to inform the industry at large.’
💡Sharing case studies like this is so important to help promote greater repurposing of our current building stock. Despite the industry emphasis around new development, unlocking the potential of our existing sites is critical for reaching social, economic and environmental goals.
💭Where is your favourite adapted building?
🏙️Adaptive London!
🏗️This exhibition at the @nlalondon is an inspiring showcase of exemplar sites. The focus is around the reuse of existing buildings, championing creative and sustainable development solutions.
📍The NLA shares that ‘these projects are shown alongside deep engagement with a wide range of industry stakeholders, highlighting the main factors driving successful adaptation while also addressing the challenges of reuse and retrofit, aiming to inform the industry at large.’
💡Sharing case studies like this is so important to help promote greater repurposing of our current building stock. Despite the industry emphasis around new development, unlocking the potential of our existing sites is critical for reaching social, economic and environmental goals.
💭Where is your favourite adapted building?
🥾Heritage Walking Tours!
📍The rain didn’t stop us from venturing out for this historic tour of Hampstead Village, led by the passionate and knowledgeable @lettiemckie from @heritage_guides.
🏘️Hampstead is one of London’s most famous neighbourhoods, celebrated for its picturesque charm. So much of what makes the area special lies its heritage conservation, generations of influential residents and the village’s spa town background.
⏳Learning more about a place through storytelling and movement can transform how we feel about it. The past can reveal so much about why things have become the way are, contextualising urban development to present day.
💭Have you got a walk booked for the summer? Check out @heritage_guides for future routes including the Hampstead tour!
🥾Heritage Walking Tours!
📍The rain didn’t stop us from venturing out for this historic tour of Hampstead Village, led by the passionate and knowledgeable @lettiemckie from @heritage_guides.
🏘️Hampstead is one of London’s most famous neighbourhoods, celebrated for its picturesque charm. So much of what makes the area special lies its heritage conservation, generations of influential residents and the village’s spa town background.
⏳Learning more about a place through storytelling and movement can transform how we feel about it. The past can reveal so much about why things have become the way are, contextualising urban development to present day.
💭Have you got a walk booked for the summer? Check out @heritage_guides for future routes including the Hampstead tour!
🚸City for Children!
🎤It was a pleasure to spend some time at the Metropolitan Institute of Bratislava in Slovakia with Project Manager of the ‘City for Children’ project, Sandra Štasselová.
🚲I was incredibly impressed by Sandra’s work and passion to create safe environments for children, specifically championing active travel and independent mobility for physical and mental health. From practical urban design fixes to inspiring behaviour change with fun concepts like the ‘walking bus’, the project priorities include:
➡️Involving the community in solutions
➡️Traffic calming around schools
➡️Encouraging outdoor play and exercise
🗺️Creating a map of the neighbourhood with and for kids was my personal favourite, spotlighting *important* places like the ice cream shop, basketball court, school, etc. For optimal engagement, a scale bar was added in steps and minutes (instead of metres!).
💡How does your city design for children?
🚸City for Children!
🎤It was a pleasure to spend some time at the Metropolitan Institute of Bratislava in Slovakia with Project Manager of the ‘City for Children’ project, Sandra Štasselová.
🚲I was incredibly impressed by Sandra’s work and passion to create safe environments for children, specifically championing active travel and independent mobility for physical and mental health. From practical urban design fixes to inspiring behaviour change with fun concepts like the ‘walking bus’, the project priorities include:
➡️Involving the community in solutions
➡️Traffic calming around schools
➡️Encouraging outdoor play and exercise
🗺️Creating a map of the neighbourhood with and for kids was my personal favourite, spotlighting *important* places like the ice cream shop, basketball court, school, etc. For optimal engagement, a scale bar was added in steps and minutes (instead of metres!).
💡How does your city design for children?
🎤Navigating the Planning Process!
🏘️Thank you to @thehmoawards for inviting me to judge the ‘Creating a Sustainable Future’ Award for the third year in a row, and also to present on ‘Navigating the Planning Process’.
🏅A big congratulations to winners @oxliving, highly commended @taylorsmithproperty and all who put their projects forward for the ‘Creating a Sustainable Future’ Award. Recognising the value and contribution of housing to wider social, economic and environmental challenges could not be more critical – so it’s been an honour to judge this category.
👏🏽I also want to celebrate @vannvogstad and the @cohohmosoftware team not only for yet another fantastic event, but their consistent and proactive approach in bringing together this community. Bettering the quality and compliance of HMOs across the country starts with empowering the people behind the projects.
💭Will you be attending the next one?
🎤Navigating the Planning Process!
🏘️Thank you to @thehmoawards for inviting me to judge the ‘Creating a Sustainable Future’ Award for the third year in a row, and also to present on ‘Navigating the Planning Process’.
🏅A big congratulations to winners @oxliving, highly commended @taylorsmithproperty and all who put their projects forward for the ‘Creating a Sustainable Future’ Award. Recognising the value and contribution of housing to wider social, economic and environmental challenges could not be more critical – so it’s been an honour to judge this category.
👏🏽I also want to celebrate @vannvogstad and the @cohohmosoftware team not only for yet another fantastic event, but their consistent and proactive approach in bringing together this community. Bettering the quality and compliance of HMOs across the country starts with empowering the people behind the projects.
💭Will you be attending the next one?
☀️A Map for Sun/Shade!
🗞️As featured in @timeoutlondon @thetimes @bbcnews, the @sunseekr.app provides a live map showing which cafes, restaurants and pubs are in sun or shade at a given point.
🌇This is a fantastic tool for those seeking the sunshine but also for those avoiding it. As temperatures rise in urban areas, many may not want to go outside due to overheating risk, sun sensitivity or UV exposure. Having the opportunity to see where more shaded seating options are could help change that, inviting people to support local businesses and make the most of public spaces during the summer.
🗺️The app’s founder, @dawod_x (Mo), joined me to talk about why he created the map. He passionately shared that his background in tech, architecture and urban planning helped inform how to solve a simple problem: where he could best enjoy an iced coffee in London. Creative solutions that play with city mapping, like this one, can have an unexpected domino effect on how people perceive and engage with their urban environments.
💭Does the sunshine influence where you choose to explore?
☀️A Map for Sun/Shade!
🗞️As featured in @timeoutlondon @thetimes @bbcnews, the @sunseekr.app provides a live map showing which cafes, restaurants and pubs are in sun or shade at a given point.
🌇This is a fantastic tool for those seeking the sunshine but also for those avoiding it. As temperatures rise in urban areas, many may not want to go outside due to overheating risk, sun sensitivity or UV exposure. Having the opportunity to see where more shaded seating options are could help change that, inviting people to support local businesses and make the most of public spaces during the summer.
🗺️The app’s founder, @dawod_x (Mo), joined me to talk about why he created the map. He passionately shared that his background in tech, architecture and urban planning helped inform how to solve a simple problem: where he could best enjoy an iced coffee in London. Creative solutions that play with city mapping, like this one, can have an unexpected domino effect on how people perceive and engage with their urban environments.
💭Does the sunshine influence where you choose to explore?
🎤RTPI X PREACH
🏘️We are so looking forward to hosting this online event on ‘Housing for Heritage’ in celebration of South Asian Heritage month!
💡At @rtpiplanners we are joining forces with @preach_inclusion for an upcoming webinar exploring how South Asian communities navigate the intersection of cultural identity and housing, highlighting the importance of creating spaces that reflect diverse values and traditions across generations.
Our brilliant speakers include:
➡️Priya Aggarwal-Shah, Founder and Director of @preach_inclusion
➡️Vinesh Pomal, Architect and Senior Lecturer at @dmuleicester
➡️Parag Dhanani, Senior Planning Officer at @brentcouncil
🎟️Tickets can be found on the RTPI website! Will you be joining us?
🎤RTPI X PREACH
🏘️We are so looking forward to hosting this online event on ‘Housing for Heritage’ in celebration of South Asian Heritage month!
💡At @rtpiplanners we are joining forces with @preach_inclusion for an upcoming webinar exploring how South Asian communities navigate the intersection of cultural identity and housing, highlighting the importance of creating spaces that reflect diverse values and traditions across generations.
Our brilliant speakers include:
➡️Priya Aggarwal-Shah, Founder and Director of @preach_inclusion
➡️Vinesh Pomal, Architect and Senior Lecturer at @dmuleicester
➡️Parag Dhanani, Senior Planning Officer at @brentcouncil
🎟️Tickets can be found on the RTPI website! Will you be joining us?
🪴Glasgow Botanic Gardens!
🔬Dating as far back as the 1800s, Glasgow Botanic Gardens have been supporting conservation, science and education for over 200 years.
🌱Despite being located in one of Scotland’s major cities, this pocket of Glasgow hosts a vast and impressive range of biodiversity. Wandering through the glasshouses, the different species transport you around the world through smell, temperature, colour and their individual quirks.
🌲Free to explore, the conservatories can be a great place to escape. Whether you’re looking to learn more about plants or just find a quiet space to walk and relax, there’s something uniquely special about these settings. Supporting and protecting Botanic Gardens like this is no small task (especially over hundreds of years!), making the work of groups like @friendsofglasgowbotanicgardens so important.
💭Where is your nearest Botanic Gardens?
🪴Glasgow Botanic Gardens!
🔬Dating as far back as the 1800s, Glasgow Botanic Gardens have been supporting conservation, science and education for over 200 years.
🌱Despite being located in one of Scotland’s major cities, this pocket of Glasgow hosts a vast and impressive range of biodiversity. Wandering through the glasshouses, the different species transport you around the world through smell, temperature, colour and their individual quirks.
🌲Free to explore, the conservatories can be a great place to escape. Whether you’re looking to learn more about plants or just find a quiet space to walk and relax, there’s something uniquely special about these settings. Supporting and protecting Botanic Gardens like this is no small task (especially over hundreds of years!), making the work of groups like @friendsofglasgowbotanicgardens so important.
💭Where is your nearest Botanic Gardens?
🥳Happy Burgh-Day Glasgow!
🎂Glasgow is currently celebrating its 850th anniversary of becoming a ‘burgh’.
📍The importance of this is summarised on the #Glasgow850 website, explaining: “In medieval Scotland, towns that were made burghs had special privileges. This included the right to trade, hold markets, and govern themselves to some extent. It was a significant recognition from the King, as it helped boost a town’s economy and attract more people, traders, and businesses.”
🗓️The website also shares that the ambition for #Glasgow850 is “to join and support partners to create a yearlong inclusive, citywide, programme of events and activities that reflect on how the city has transformed, particularly over the last fifty years and how we can inspire accelerated change, for a better, sustainable, future, over the next fifty years.”
💭What city or town milestones could be celebrated to bring together your local communities?
🥳Happy Burgh-Day Glasgow!
🎂Glasgow is currently celebrating its 850th anniversary of becoming a ‘burgh’.
📍The importance of this is summarised on the #Glasgow850 website, explaining: “In medieval Scotland, towns that were made burghs had special privileges. This included the right to trade, hold markets, and govern themselves to some extent. It was a significant recognition from the King, as it helped boost a town’s economy and attract more people, traders, and businesses.”
🗓️The website also shares that the ambition for #Glasgow850 is “to join and support partners to create a yearlong inclusive, citywide, programme of events and activities that reflect on how the city has transformed, particularly over the last fifty years and how we can inspire accelerated change, for a better, sustainable, future, over the next fifty years.”
💭What city or town milestones could be celebrated to bring together your local communities?
🎤Arup X RTPI!
💡A massive thank you to everyone who joined our event last night on ‘Intersectionality in Planning: Designing Equitable Spaces’. It was a full house!
➡️In organising this event ahead of Pride, it was critical for us as the @rtpiplanners to use this session as an opportunity to spotlight the individual. Each person is the sum of many parts, with different experiences shaping how we interact with and design our built environments.
🏗️I want to thank the @arupuk team for co-hosting and all their contributions in this space, with a particular shoutout to Paras Shah and Mei-Yee Man Oram who continue to inspire and lead in their work. Our speakers Chris Watkins, Jenny McLaughlin and Machel Bogues also beyond delivered. Thank you for all that you are doing across your industries to champion intersectional thinking, research for meaningful action and having ‘the difficult conversations’.
🔓To quote Jenny, “design has the power to include or exclude”. I truly believe that by sharing learnings, tools and case studies we can drive the changes we’re aspiring to as an industry.
🎤Arup X RTPI!
💡A massive thank you to everyone who joined our event last night on ‘Intersectionality in Planning: Designing Equitable Spaces’. It was a full house!
➡️In organising this event ahead of Pride, it was critical for us as the @rtpiplanners to use this session as an opportunity to spotlight the individual. Each person is the sum of many parts, with different experiences shaping how we interact with and design our built environments.
🏗️I want to thank the @arupuk team for co-hosting and all their contributions in this space, with a particular shoutout to Paras Shah and Mei-Yee Man Oram who continue to inspire and lead in their work. Our speakers Chris Watkins, Jenny McLaughlin and Machel Bogues also beyond delivered. Thank you for all that you are doing across your industries to champion intersectional thinking, research for meaningful action and having ‘the difficult conversations’.
🔓To quote Jenny, “design has the power to include or exclude”. I truly believe that by sharing learnings, tools and case studies we can drive the changes we’re aspiring to as an industry.
🎤Intersectionality in Planning!
🗓️Only a few days left until our upcoming event between @rtpiplanners and @arupuk! The session will focus on ‘Intersectionality in Planning: Designing Equitable Spaces’.
💡I caught up with one of our panellists, Jenny McLaughlin, to talk through her thoughts on the subject. Jenny is a Senior Project Manager at Heathrow with a wealth of experience across the industry. She passionately advocates that each person should have an equitable seat at the table, creating a safe environment to challenge and improve the way we interreact and build the world around us.
🏙️Jenny is dyslexic and has ADHD, sharing “the way that my brain is wired differently is an asset”. She is a speaker at a number of industry events on ‘Systematic Inclusion’, bringing to life the criticality of accessibility if we are to remain a safe and sustainable industry. This is most evident in being a key player in creation of @riba Inclusive Design Overlay published summer 2023.
💭What does designing equitable spaces mean to you?
🎤Intersectionality in Planning!
🗓️Only a few days left until our upcoming event between @rtpiplanners and @arupuk! The session will focus on ‘Intersectionality in Planning: Designing Equitable Spaces’.
💡I caught up with one of our panellists, Jenny McLaughlin, to talk through her thoughts on the subject. Jenny is a Senior Project Manager at Heathrow with a wealth of experience across the industry. She passionately advocates that each person should have an equitable seat at the table, creating a safe environment to challenge and improve the way we interreact and build the world around us.
🏙️Jenny is dyslexic and has ADHD, sharing “the way that my brain is wired differently is an asset”. She is a speaker at a number of industry events on ‘Systematic Inclusion’, bringing to life the criticality of accessibility if we are to remain a safe and sustainable industry. This is most evident in being a key player in creation of @riba Inclusive Design Overlay published summer 2023.
💭What does designing equitable spaces mean to you?
➡️EPC Methodology Changes!
🎤This week I caught up with Rick Dalton, Director at @thegreenerhouseuk, after our presentations at the @platinumpropertypartners_ June Summit.
📊My session focused on planning and licensing updates, followed by the fantastic Mike Anderson who reviewed air source heat pumps against boilers in great detail (costs, carbon and more!).
🪟Rick then broke down the revisions made to the methodology used to calculate Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). RdSAP 10 was introduced on the 15th June, requiring assessors to collect more detailed information during their site visits as part of determining the energy efficiency of a property. Rick talked us through what that means in practice, sharing some of his insights for us in the video!
💭What resources and networks are you using to inform energy efficiency improvements across your property?
➡️EPC Methodology Changes!
🎤This week I caught up with Rick Dalton, Director at @thegreenerhouseuk, after our presentations at the @platinumpropertypartners_ June Summit.
📊My session focused on planning and licensing updates, followed by the fantastic Mike Anderson who reviewed air source heat pumps against boilers in great detail (costs, carbon and more!).
🪟Rick then broke down the revisions made to the methodology used to calculate Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). RdSAP 10 was introduced on the 15th June, requiring assessors to collect more detailed information during their site visits as part of determining the energy efficiency of a property. Rick talked us through what that means in practice, sharing some of his insights for us in the video!
💭What resources and networks are you using to inform energy efficiency improvements across your property?
Domicide
Particularly to my colleagues who advocate for, respect and understand the critical importance of sustainable urban development, I would like to share some words from “Domicide: The Mass Destruction of Homes Should Be a Crime Against Humanity”. This article is by Balakrishnan Rajagopal, @unitednations special rapporteur on the right to adequate housing.
“The widespread or systematic destruction of homes has long been a feature of modern warfare. But what is often lost in the images of rubble and statistics of destroyed buildings is the profound effect of this loss at a human level.”
“For a home is so much more than a structure: It is a repository of past experience and future dreams, of memories of births, deaths, marriages and intimate moments with our loved ones, amid neighbors and a familiar landscape. The idea of home brings comfort and gives meaning to our lives. Its destruction is the denial of a person’s dignity and humanity.”
“As an independent expert tasked by the United Nations with promoting and protecting the right to adequate housing, I believe the crime of domicide should be enshrined in international humanitarian and criminal law so that governments and armed groups can be held to account. In an increasingly urbanized world, where densely populated cities are becoming common battlegrounds, the need for such action is all the more urgent.”
The full article is publicly available and can be found online by searching the title. Seen via the @mit Faculty Newsletter online, “first appeared in the January 29, 2024 edition of @nytimes.”
Domicide
Particularly to my colleagues who advocate for, respect and understand the critical importance of sustainable urban development, I would like to share some words from “Domicide: The Mass Destruction of Homes Should Be a Crime Against Humanity”. This article is by Balakrishnan Rajagopal, @unitednations special rapporteur on the right to adequate housing.
“The widespread or systematic destruction of homes has long been a feature of modern warfare. But what is often lost in the images of rubble and statistics of destroyed buildings is the profound effect of this loss at a human level.”
“For a home is so much more than a structure: It is a repository of past experience and future dreams, of memories of births, deaths, marriages and intimate moments with our loved ones, amid neighbors and a familiar landscape. The idea of home brings comfort and gives meaning to our lives. Its destruction is the denial of a person’s dignity and humanity.”
“As an independent expert tasked by the United Nations with promoting and protecting the right to adequate housing, I believe the crime of domicide should be enshrined in international humanitarian and criminal law so that governments and armed groups can be held to account. In an increasingly urbanized world, where densely populated cities are becoming common battlegrounds, the need for such action is all the more urgent.”
The full article is publicly available and can be found online by searching the title. Seen via the @mit Faculty Newsletter online, “first appeared in the January 29, 2024 edition of @nytimes.”
🏗️Intersectionality in Planning!
🎤I’m so excited to be chairing our upcoming Royal Town Planning Institute event “Intersectionality in Planning: Designing Equitable Spaces”, hosted at Arup on July 3rd!
💫 Limited tickets now available on the @rtpiplanners website.
Our panellists each bring their own wealth of knowledge and experience to the conversation, including:
➡️ Pareisse Wilson, Senior Principal Social Impact – Accessibility and Inclusive Design Lead at @mottmacgroup
➡️ Christopher Watkins, Senior Consultant, Access and Inclusive Environments at @arupuk
➡️ Jenny McLaughlin (she/her), Senior Project Manager at @heathrow_airport
💡This session will highlight the importance of creating spaces that reflect diverse identities and experiences between individuals and communities. Join our panel discussion unpacking data and strategies for ensuring that public spaces are authentically accessible, welcoming, and inclusive of those who may be overlooked in traditional design approaches.
🎟️Have you booked your ticket yet?
🏗️Intersectionality in Planning!
🎤I’m so excited to be chairing our upcoming Royal Town Planning Institute event “Intersectionality in Planning: Designing Equitable Spaces”, hosted at Arup on July 3rd!
💫 Limited tickets now available on the @rtpiplanners website.
Our panellists each bring their own wealth of knowledge and experience to the conversation, including:
➡️ Pareisse Wilson, Senior Principal Social Impact – Accessibility and Inclusive Design Lead at @mottmacgroup
➡️ Christopher Watkins, Senior Consultant, Access and Inclusive Environments at @arupuk
➡️ Jenny McLaughlin (she/her), Senior Project Manager at @heathrow_airport
💡This session will highlight the importance of creating spaces that reflect diverse identities and experiences between individuals and communities. Join our panel discussion unpacking data and strategies for ensuring that public spaces are authentically accessible, welcoming, and inclusive of those who may be overlooked in traditional design approaches.
🎟️Have you booked your ticket yet?
⛪️St Joseph`s Church in Highgate!
📍Built on a hilltop, this Roman Catholic church is a prominent building, both locally and from farther away across the London skyline.
🕰️Completed as far back as the 1800s, the site is a designated heritage asset. This makes it a historic architectural gem as well as a functional place of worship, weaving old and new lives together in this unique corner of North London.
🌱Walking beyond the building itself, the grounds also host a food garden. This is not uncommon for churches, where connection to soil and the stewardship of land are practices that have helped nurture wider spirituality for generations. This can be about encouraging fellowship, respecting and caring for the Earth, and even supporting food growth to share locally.
💭Are there places near you that help you connect to history, nature and spirituality, escaping day to day life?
⛪️St Joseph`s Church in Highgate!
📍Built on a hilltop, this Roman Catholic church is a prominent building, both locally and from farther away across the London skyline.
🕰️Completed as far back as the 1800s, the site is a designated heritage asset. This makes it a historic architectural gem as well as a functional place of worship, weaving old and new lives together in this unique corner of North London.
🌱Walking beyond the building itself, the grounds also host a food garden. This is not uncommon for churches, where connection to soil and the stewardship of land are practices that have helped nurture wider spirituality for generations. This can be about encouraging fellowship, respecting and caring for the Earth, and even supporting food growth to share locally.
💭Are there places near you that help you connect to history, nature and spirituality, escaping day to day life?
🏗️London Festival of Architecture!
🎤Mahsa Ige from @urbanistonamission and Natasha Reid from @matter.space.soul have got together at @rocalondongallery to talk about the upcoming @letsbuild__ event on the 19th of June for the London Festival of Architecture!
🏘️Natasha will be joining as one of our panellists. Founding the design lab as a way to champion and create places for “humans, nature and wellbeing”, Natasha emphasises the importance of integrating multidisciplinary knowledge into design for “more humane, healthy, socially-conscious, inclusive and equitable places.”
➡️Sharing her insights and experience from, Natasha will be contributing to this important conversation around unheard voices and hidden figures across the built environment.
🎟️Don’t forget to book your ticket through the Roca website – we look forward to seeing you there for @londonfestivalofarchitecture!
🏗️London Festival of Architecture!
🎤Mahsa Ige from @urbanistonamission and Natasha Reid from @matter.space.soul have got together at @rocalondongallery to talk about the upcoming @letsbuild__ event on the 19th of June for the London Festival of Architecture!
🏘️Natasha will be joining as one of our panellists. Founding the design lab as a way to champion and create places for “humans, nature and wellbeing”, Natasha emphasises the importance of integrating multidisciplinary knowledge into design for “more humane, healthy, socially-conscious, inclusive and equitable places.”
➡️Sharing her insights and experience from, Natasha will be contributing to this important conversation around unheard voices and hidden figures across the built environment.
🎟️Don’t forget to book your ticket through the Roca website – we look forward to seeing you there for @londonfestivalofarchitecture!
🌫️Fanal Forest!
📍Fanal Forest is part of the indigenous Laurisilva, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site described as “the largest surviving area of laurel forest”.
🌳The UNESCO page goes on to emphasise the critical value of the site, noting “the forests of the property and their associated biological and ecological process are largely undisturbed, and play a predominant role in the island´s hydrological balance.”
🪵The thick mist is a stark contrast to the island’s stereotypical sunny skies, setting the storybook scene for what feels like an enchanted forest. Twisting, moss-covered ancient trees pose across the landscape with authority and wisdom, thriving within their environment. Across the areas of primary laurisilva remaining on Madeira, @unesco highlights this “includes some massive old trees, possibly over 800 years old, which have been growing since before the island was settled.”
💭As pressures to urbanise increase, how can we prevent chipping away at special natural sites? What does ‘special’ mean for you?
🌫️Fanal Forest!
📍Fanal Forest is part of the indigenous Laurisilva, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site described as “the largest surviving area of laurel forest”.
🌳The UNESCO page goes on to emphasise the critical value of the site, noting “the forests of the property and their associated biological and ecological process are largely undisturbed, and play a predominant role in the island´s hydrological balance.”
🪵The thick mist is a stark contrast to the island’s stereotypical sunny skies, setting the storybook scene for what feels like an enchanted forest. Twisting, moss-covered ancient trees pose across the landscape with authority and wisdom, thriving within their environment. Across the areas of primary laurisilva remaining on Madeira, @unesco highlights this “includes some massive old trees, possibly over 800 years old, which have been growing since before the island was settled.”
💭As pressures to urbanise increase, how can we prevent chipping away at special natural sites? What does ‘special’ mean for you?
🦎Madeira Lizards!
💻The beach has always been my favourite office, though I wasn’t quite expecting so many colleagues to join me on the rocky Madeira coastline this week…
🔍In fact, the visibly high populations of Madeira lizards inspired a publication in 2023 by the British Herpetological Society (BHS) entitled “The Madeira lizard Teira dugesii may have the greatest population density of any terrestrial vertebrate”. The conclusions of their survey highlighted:
📈“Although achieving comparable estimates of population density across species is challenging, we here report that the Madeira lizard has a very high population density, indeed one of the highest amongst terrestrial vertebrate species in terms of number of individuals… We suspect this is a consequence of unusually low predation pressure on Madeira lizards from the paucity of predators on Madeira, and encourage more detailed studies into the natural history of this species.”
💡As we endeavour to protect biodiversity, how can we support, improve and share important ecological surveying globally?
🦎Madeira Lizards!
💻The beach has always been my favourite office, though I wasn’t quite expecting so many colleagues to join me on the rocky Madeira coastline this week…
🔍In fact, the visibly high populations of Madeira lizards inspired a publication in 2023 by the British Herpetological Society (BHS) entitled “The Madeira lizard Teira dugesii may have the greatest population density of any terrestrial vertebrate”. The conclusions of their survey highlighted:
📈“Although achieving comparable estimates of population density across species is challenging, we here report that the Madeira lizard has a very high population density, indeed one of the highest amongst terrestrial vertebrate species in terms of number of individuals… We suspect this is a consequence of unusually low predation pressure on Madeira lizards from the paucity of predators on Madeira, and encourage more detailed studies into the natural history of this species.”
💡As we endeavour to protect biodiversity, how can we support, improve and share important ecological surveying globally?
🏡Retrofit Community!
🎤Thank you to the @retrofitworks team for inviting me along to this celebratory event, launching their new silver membership at @sustainableventures.
💡This exciting initiative celebrates collaboration and community across the industry, emphasising how important adapting our existing building stock is. The day was incredibly inspiring, talking through the membership offering as well as how we can improve skills, quality control, financing, recruitment and more to practically work towards government decarbonisation targets.
📍The launch event brought together passionate professionals dedicated to a greener future, showcasing RetrofitWorks’ commitment to empowering local supply chains and delivering real change. My favourite message from the day was “stronger together”, spotlighting the power in collective action and shared learning for sustainability.
➡️To learn more about the new membership and upcoming opportunities, check out @retrofitworks!
🏡Retrofit Community!
🎤Thank you to the @retrofitworks team for inviting me along to this celebratory event, launching their new silver membership at @sustainableventures.
💡This exciting initiative celebrates collaboration and community across the industry, emphasising how important adapting our existing building stock is. The day was incredibly inspiring, talking through the membership offering as well as how we can improve skills, quality control, financing, recruitment and more to practically work towards government decarbonisation targets.
📍The launch event brought together passionate professionals dedicated to a greener future, showcasing RetrofitWorks’ commitment to empowering local supply chains and delivering real change. My favourite message from the day was “stronger together”, spotlighting the power in collective action and shared learning for sustainability.
➡️To learn more about the new membership and upcoming opportunities, check out @retrofitworks!
🏡Sustainable Homes Festival!
📍The National Self Build & Renovation Centre (NSBRC) is “the UK’s only permanent venue for independent home building advice and support”.
🗓️Over the past couple of days, the centre hosted “The Festival of Sustainable Homes”, one of their three big shows a year. I sat down with the NSBRC’s Sustainability Manager, Nick, to talk about what the day was all about and why it’s so important to create opportunities like this for people across the industry to connect.
♻️Visitors could attend talks, see live demonstrations and speak with experts in planning, renewable energy, insulation, water conservation, and much more. Of course, this doesn’t stop with the show. The centre is based in Swindon and open all year round to the public for free.
💭Have you been to @nsbrc_official before? Why not check out their website to see what’s on!
🏡Sustainable Homes Festival!
📍The National Self Build & Renovation Centre (NSBRC) is “the UK’s only permanent venue for independent home building advice and support”.
🗓️Over the past couple of days, the centre hosted “The Festival of Sustainable Homes”, one of their three big shows a year. I sat down with the NSBRC’s Sustainability Manager, Nick, to talk about what the day was all about and why it’s so important to create opportunities like this for people across the industry to connect.
♻️Visitors could attend talks, see live demonstrations and speak with experts in planning, renewable energy, insulation, water conservation, and much more. Of course, this doesn’t stop with the show. The centre is based in Swindon and open all year round to the public for free.
💭Have you been to @nsbrc_official before? Why not check out their website to see what’s on!
📍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?