Tue 07/06/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Palestra
Related Events: Place Design
Explaining how to read various types of plans and understand what is being proposed. We will point out common tricks used to make you look favourably on proposals and explain the most important information you should look for.
This event will be held in-person.
Wed 08/06/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Understanding London
Ever popular session on the history of how London has developed, including looking at how trade, manufacturing, population changes and wars have impacted on the built city.
Agenda
10.00 Welcome & Overview – the Making of London
- What factors have led to the development of London through time? How can we understand the way the city has developed, as eco-system, hub or catalyst, Prof. Jerry White (University of London)
- Q&A
10.30 London Growth – sparks, checks and balances
- In and out – How have geography, movement, natural resources and trade contributed to London’s development? How do they continue to shape the future success of the city? Rob Whitehead (Centre for London)
- Q&A
- Comfort break
11.10 Riding the waves – How has development been affected by population growth, health crises and war? Prof. Vanessa Harding (University of London)
- Q&A
11.40 Onwards and upwards – What opportunities for the industry, house building and culture have been taken and how have these have shaped the city through time? Richard Brown
- Q&A
12.10 London of the Future
- What can we learn from the past to point the way forwards to the London of the future? Yolande Barnes (Bartlett Real Estate Institute)
- Speaker & delegate discussion
12.45 Wrap up & Close
Thu 09/06/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Practical Planning
An important element of the planning process for all planning teams is negotiating good design and outcomes. This session will prepare you to deliver successful outcomes.
Tue 14/06/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Place Tech
A look at emerging approaches and how they can help you deliver better planning services, including greater inclusion and engagement.
Thu 16/06/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Green London
An update on policy and plans that deliver climate resilient places and reduce resource and carbon use.
Tue 21/06/22, 9.15am–2pm
Palestra
Related Events: Street Design
This event will be held in-person.
Outlining the key principles behind creating healthy, welcoming, and accessible streets that promotes physical and mental wellbeing.
Agenda
09.15 Welcome & Refreshments
09.30 Cool Wall for Streets
10.00 Exercise: Street Design Principles Applied, John Dales (Urban Movement)
11.00 Comfort break
11.15 Climate Resilient Streets, Emilie Leclerc (Civic Engineers)
11.45 Introduction to the Healthy Streets Check, Oliver Davey (Urban Movement)
12:15 Lunch break
12:45 Exercise: Healthy streets Check in Practice
13:45 Review
14:00 Close
Tue 21/06/22, 2–4.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Street Design
Join us for an afternoon unpacking programmes and projects that seek to deliver safer streets and realise Vision Zero. We will cover speed limits, traffic reduction, sustainable travel planning for schools and research on commercial van safety.
Wed 22/06/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Palestra
Related Events: UDL In-Person
During the year we will visit exemplary housing as well as street and public realm projects. The locations will be decided nearer the time.
Thu 23/06/22, 2–4.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: LoTAG at UDL
Exploring the relative roles of the public and private sector in delivering a borough wide charging network, and the policy challenges of providing universal and equitable access to charging without privatising the kerb.
Tue 28/06/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Building Homes
Understanding how land is bought, how housing projects are funded and who delivers developments.
Tue 28/06/22, 2–5pm
Palestra
This session will be held in-person.
The Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill published this May marks a potential flood of changes to the way planning works, and how design quality is viewed within the system. What impact might national Development Management Policies have? How would the new Infrastructure Levy differ in practice from the current system? What implications could there be from pulling the teeth of the rolling 5 year housing land supply policy? What does digitising planning mean and what could it hold in store for day to day planning practice? And what does all this mean for London?
To help us all get our heads around all this and more we have organised a face to face UDL event for our London programme members – in our old haunt- the conference rooms at Palestra.
Wed 29/06/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Urban Futures
Emerging building typologies and ways to design and deliver them including approaches to re-use and retrofit.
Wed 06/07/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Place Tech
An introduction to the range of tools available, when each might be most appropriate to use and how to go about obtaining or creating 3D resources.
Thu 07/07/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Practical Planning
Looking at how development finance works and its impact on planning delivery.
Tue 12/07/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Palestra
Related Events: UDL In-Person
During the year, we will get together to look in more detail at topical issues including climate, health and equity.
Wed 13/07/22, 10am–12pm
Zoom
Related Events: LoTAG at UDL
Alternative and innovative funding approaches for sustainable transport schemes and initiatives.
Thu 08/09/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Palestra
Related Events: UDL In-Person
During the year we will visit exemplary housing as well as street and public realm projects. The locations will be decided nearer the time.
Tue 13/09/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Practical Planning
A practical look at dealing with these tricky processes including successful, and perhaps not so successful case studies, how best to convert retail to residential, all considering design criteria as set out in the GDPO.
Thu 15/09/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Place Tech
Considering the types of data built environment practitioners might wish to use and how to gather, collate and map - using them for plans, strategies, design and programmes.
Tue 20/09/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Green London
An overview of how we can best plan for, deliver, and maintain trees and plants including within our streets, gardens and parks.
Wed 28/09/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Street Design
Unpacking the principles behind designing streets and spaces to encourage those who can to cycle.
Thu 29/09/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Understanding London
A look at London’s amazing built heritage with discussions on how best to preserve and enhance it.
Thu 29/09/22, 2–4pm
Zoom
Related Events: LoTAG at UDL
How do we maximise the benefit of a scarce public resource in the face of a perceived private right to use?
Wed 05/10/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Place Design
Helping you understand how you can visually present your ideas in succinct and creative ways to aid discussion and interpretation of place. This is a practical session and you will be helped to produce your own drawing.
Thu 06/10/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Building Homes
Considering how to achieve outcome focussed design that will help you speed through planning, including working with the community through co-design and community design panels.
Thu 13/10/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Palestra
Related Events: UDL In-Person
During the year we will visit exemplary housing as well as street and public realm projects. The locations will be decided nearer the time.
Wed 19/10/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Palestra
Related Events: UDL In-Person
During the year, we will get together to look in more detail at topical issues including climate, health and equity.
Thu 20/10/22, 10am–12pm
Zoom
Related Events: LoTAG at UDL
With funding and space constrained, how do we deliver a renaissance for the most accessible and affordable form of transport?
Tue 01/11/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Urban Futures
Fresh ways at looking at shared, active, and sustainable movement of people, goods, and information.
Tue 08/11/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Place Design
Explaining the importance of understanding the context for any scheme, looking at how design approaches should vary and how toolkits for small sites can help.
Wed 09/11/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Practical Planning
How to manage the sometimes-conflicting demands of the planning system including top down housing targets alongside bottom up community and character driven plans and proposals, co-design and community review panels.
Wed 16/11/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Place Tech
Presenting the best ways of using tech to get people involved with case studies and discussions on when to choose which approaches.
Tue 22/11/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Green London
A look at innovative ways we can plan for and nurture green infrastructure inside and outside our homes and workplaces.
Tue 29/11/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Street Design
Providing engineers with in-depth information on how to deliver sustainable urban drainage systems as an integrated aspect of highway works.
Wed 30/11/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Building Homes
Looking at the different types of homes you may wish to see built, which are needed where and top design tips for each, including an update on the Small Sites Programme.
Thu 01/12/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Understanding London
A look back at how key built infrastructure projects have shaped the city and the potential impact of future projects.
Tue 06/12/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Palestra
Related Events: UDL In-Person
During the year, we will get together to look in more detail at topical issues including climate, health and equity.
Thu 08/12/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Street Design
Capacity, geometry, signals? This hands-on session will provide you with the tools to deliver safer junctions and link section options that prioritise active travel.
Wed 11/01/23, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Place Design
Focusing on delivery processes including partnership working, procurement, evaluation systems and tools such as PlaceCheck, Building for a Healthy Life alongside industry standards used within planning, transport, housing and environmental systems.
Tue 17/01/23, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Building Homes
Looking at the many design tools available that can help you achieve great homes and neighbourhoods including masterplans, design codes, and parameter plans.
Wed 18/01/23, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Practical Planning
How best to present design issues at appeal looking at relevant case studies and approaches for written representation, informal hearings or enquiry appeals.
Thu 19/01/23, 10am–12pm
Zoom
Related Events: LoTAG at UDL
What can we deliver using our collective knowledge and how do we make it about collaboration rather than confrontation?
Tue 24/01/23, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Green London
Looking at the range of building construction methods and materials available and comparing their carbon use and lifetime resource efficiency, including the importance of understanding embodied carbon.
Wed 25/01/23
Zoom
Related Events: Place Tech
A round-up of the way new tech is changing the way we use and manage places looking at the opportunities this may give to curate uses, access arrangements and activities over time.
Tue 31/01/23, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Street Design
Looking at how to create welcoming, practical, and safe spaces that take people where they want to go.
Wed 01/02/23, 9.30am–12.30pm
Palestra
Related Events: UDL In-Person
During the year, we will get together to look in more detail at topical issues including climate, health and equity.
Thu 02/02/23, 9.30am–12.30pm
Palestra
Related Events: UDL In-Person
During the year we will visit exemplary housing as well as street and public realm projects. The locations will be decided nearer the time.
Wed 08/02/23, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Urban Futures
How to improve diversity, inclusion, health and wellbeing in our culturally diverse places.
Thu 09/02/23, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Understanding London
Looking at what makes London so green, and how this legacy can grow and be enhanced in the future.
Wed 22/02/23, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Building Homes
Covering the practicalities of home delivery – reviewing design, writing bids, procurement and managing relationships.
Thu 23/02/23, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Place Design
Explaining the range of design tools you might come across and explaining how they fit together, for example how design codes relate to masterplanning and policy plans.
Tue 28/02/23, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Practical Planning
As a local authority you may have to commission planning related work. This session will provide advice on how best to write briefs, manage procurement processes including retaining architects, managing resources and post occupancy evaluations.
Thu 02/03/23, 9.30am–12.30pm
Palestra
Related Events: UDL In-Person
During the year, we will get together to look in more detail at topical issues including climate, health and equity.
Tue 14/03/23, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Green London
Considering how to understand the case for retrofit vs demolition, and how best to measure, assess and deliver buildings that are water and energy efficient.
Thu 16/03/23, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Understanding London
Considering London’s social diversity, how this has shaped the city and how best to celebrate our cultural richness in the future.
Thu 16/03/23, 2–4pm
Zoom
Related Events: LoTAG at UDL
A review of best practice in modelling and monitoring scheme and policy effectiveness in an era of uncertainty.
Tue 21/03/23, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Urban Futures
Why it is hard to change established approaches and suggestions on how best to move thinking along.
Wed 22/03/23, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Street Design
Looking at best practice in strategic city-wide modelling and micro simulation models for all modes.
Thu 23/03/23, 9.30am–12.30pm
Palestra
Related Events: UDL In-Person
A recap of the year’s highlights, offering members a chance to network and catch-up on the most significant presentations of 2022/23.
Wed 29/03/23, 9.30am–12.30pm
Palestra
Related Events: UDL In-Person
During the year we will visit exemplary housing as well as street and public realm projects. The locations will be decided nearer the time.
Thu 30/03/23, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Building Homes
This session helps you draw lessons to feed into future development, evaluating both homes and the places they help create.
Thu 26/05/22, 10am–12.45pm
Zoom
Join us to discuss practical ways in which the design and management of places can help to reduce violence against women and girls. The session will include looking at examples of places people feel safe or unsafe in to help identify common characteristics we should look to avoid or help design in.
Agenda
10.00 Welcome
- Introduction, Farah Benis (FFA Security Group & Founder, Catcalls of LDN)
- Safety & Health, Julia Thrift (TCPA)
10.30 Ways forward
- Improving the way we plan for safety, Dinah Bornat (ZCD Architects)
- Understanding where and why women and girls feel unsafe, Marina Milosev (LLDC)
- Safe in the City Apps, Laura Butterworth (LB Waltham Forest)
11.30 Tea Break
11.45 Workshop: What are the characteristics of places we feel safe or unsafe in? Lead by Deborah Saunt (DSDHA Architects), Olaide Oboh (Socius Development Limited) & Sophie Thompson (LDA Design)
12.45 Round up & Close

Wed 25/05/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Green London
We will consider the benefits and challenges in delivering improvements to London’s air quality and introduce research on low emissions zones and plans for road user charging.
Agenda
10.00 Welcome and Introduction
10.10 Getting the most out of urban air quality policies
for health promotion, Dr Audrey de Nazelle (UCL)
10.30 The London Plan: Air Quality Guidance, Stephen Inch (GLA)
11.00 London Ultra Low Emission Zone: Unpacked, Katherine Howatson (TfL)
Comfort break
11.45 Future Road Charging: what are the challenges and what could it look like? Oliver Draser (TfL)
12.15 Workshop
13.00 Close
Mon 23/05/22, 11am
Palestra
Related Events: UDL In-Person
We are delighted to offer this site visit kindly hosted by LB Camden and Architects Hawkins\Brown. The scheme has an innovative mix of both retrofit and newbuild and is the largest Passivhaus scheme in the UK. We will hear about the vision underpinning the scheme and discuss the placemaking, building design and energy performance.
To reserve your place, please email us at info@urbandesignlondon.com
Thu 19/05/22, 10am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Urban Futures
This session continues the fascinating Urban Challenge project we ran in 2021 looking at new ways of considering, planning, designing and managing places. This session will focus on neighbourhoods, the building blocks of towns and cities.
Agenda
10.00 Welcome & Introduction
10.10 Local Living – Creating a New Framework for Policy,
Charlie Peel
10:30 Building a New Neighbourhood – The Phoenix Project,
Jonathan Smales
10:50 Start Where you Live… ‘Unleashing Your Real IP’, Gary
Loftus
Q&A
Comfort Break
11:30 Doughnut Economics, Laura Boyle
11:50 Sustrans Research on Walkable Neighbourhoods,
Megan Streb
Q&A
12:30 Wrap Up & Close
Wed 18/05/22, PM
Palestra
Related Events: Networks
For members in the first 10 years of their careers to meet and learn from other inspiring young practitioners.
This event will be held in-person.
Tue 17/05/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Building Homes
An all-round introduction to housing design, from how a development links to the wider community through to how a home is designed.
Agenda
09.45 Registration
10.00 Welcome & Overview – Why does housing design matter?
- Understand the importance of home design and how it fits into good placemaking. Setting home design in context, looking at challenges and trends, Tom Copley (GLA)
Key characteristics of good housing design - Exploring the three key levels of housing development – relationship to the wider neighbourhood, the parts of a development and the design of the home.
10.15 Wider – Relating a development to the neighbourhood knitting the development into the wider physical, social and economic context, Esther Kurland (UDL)
- Case Study – Wider Level: Hackney Gardens, LB Hackney, Charles Jabre (DLA Architecture)
- Q&A
Comfort break
10.45 Site – How can the parts of a development work together well? Looning at types and tenures, outside and inside spaces focussing on design for people, recycling and waste, Kruti Patel (Metropolitan Workshop)
- Case Study – Site level: Beechwood Mews, LB Barnet, Phil Hamilton (Peter Barber Architects)
- Q&A
11.10 Home – Understanding aspects of good design in the home environment, Mellis Haward (Archio Ltd.)
- Case Study – Home level: Sutherland Road, Walthamstow, Kim Walker (Levitt Bernstein)
- Q&A
Comfort break
11.40 Annotation Exercise
- Practical exercise in breakout groups annotating drawings to explore learning on the three levels of design, feeding back to the wider group.
12.20 Bringing design to life
- Understand how the principles are used in practice within policy and guidance to deliver homes and places fit for London, and how these are being embedded in projects funded by the GLA, Elliot Kemp (GLA) & Alison Mayer (GLA)
- Q&A
12.45 Wrap up & Close
Thu 05/05/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Street Design
An overview of active travel policies and targets looking at why it matters and how to design places that help people to choose this way of getting around.
Wed 04/05/22, am
Zoom
Related Events: Place Tech
This session will provide an overview of how digital planning is helping to save resources and provide greater accessibility to our planning processes, including a look at the trends and innovations coming forward in the built environment.
Download Event Takeaways
Wed 27/04/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Practical Planning
This practical session will look at the best way to handle a variety of processes including enforcement and compulsory purchase orders.
Agenda
09:45 Registration
10.00 Welcome
10.10 CPO and Enforcement Processes, Piers Riley-Smith
Q&A
11:10 Considering design at appeal, Christine Thorby
Q&A
11:30 Round up and close
Thu 21/04/22, 1.30pm
Zoom
Related Events: Networks
During this afternoon session, we will be visiting the Design District in Greenwich to hear about how the design review of this interesting scheme has impacted on what we can see on the ground now. Anyone involved in using, participating or managing design reviews is welcome to share ideas and updates.
Wed 20/04/22, 9.30am–12.30pm
Palestra
Related Events: Place Design
Explaining what good place design is all about, the characteristics of successful places and how these relate to built environment policies and guidance. We will look at how to ensure places are fit for purpose, encourage easy movements, are accessible and have efficient use of land and resources.
This session will be in-person. Get in touch to confirm your place.
Agenda
09.30 Registration & Refreshments
10.00 Cool Wall: What do we think of as good design?
10.30 The 10 Characteristics of well-designed places
Comfort break
11.30 Walkabout: Urban Design in Southwark
12.30 Working Lunch: Design Review
14.00 Close