How can pressurised world cities evolve over the coming decades and remain both competitive and liveable?
ideas, innovation and adaptation for the future of cities
Our 10th anniversary Congress is distinctive in two particular aspects: (1) it is the very first to be held in London, one of the early hubs of the Academy; and (2), our theme is primarily time-related rather than purely place-based, looking to the future.
Having spent 10 years exploring and celebrating what great places have achieved, we now cast our gaze forwards to anticipate future urbanism, and the accumulated lessons that may be relevant to improving urban space, place and life over the next 10 years.
We explore the future through the prism of remaking London in the 21st century. The former ‘Capital of Empire’ has been a World City for centuries and demonstrates strengths and weaknesses in addressing its historic legacy, whilst upgrading its economic infrastructure and investing in its future prospects for health, wealth and wellbeing.
Our Congress is deliberately located in East London, where the potential for grasping future opportunities is perhaps greatest. Here enhanced values may yet be captured for the greater public benefit, and places created with an emphasis on equity and sustainability. Land is still available for a wide variety of uses, and there is room to accommodate the infrastructure necessary to sustain long term development interests and support a high quality of life for all.
Our Congress will combine insightful talks, a variety of tours and workshops, and keynote presentations providing local and international perspectives on the shaping of future places.
Just as important will be the informal conversations that we will share in the gaps in between. Urbanists are both inquisitive and collegiate. We love to share learning about place. So please join us. Be inspired and entertained, reinvigorated and enthused by the ideas and the people at the Academy’s 10th anniversary Congress. We look forward to seeing you there.
Congress is curated by Jas Atwal AoU
London and The Future of Urbanism | David Rudlin AoU
Complex, fractured and ecologically diverse: UK urbanism in 2040? | Kevin Murray AoU
The Future of Urbanism is between cities and their regions | Steven Bee AoU
Images from 2015 Annual Congress in Birmingham: Health, Happiness & Wellbeing
