The UK’s leading town planners and urban designers are set to discuss the future of Ipswich among other key topics at an upcoming national conference.
A network of developers, housebuilders and local authority staff will join experts from the Urban Design Group (UDG) for its two-day annual conference in the Suffolk town from Thursday, October 2.
Presentations at the event include Ipswich’s Urban Vision in Challenging Times, Designing for a Climate Resilient Future, and Housing and Estate Regeneration.
A host of expert speakers include town planner and UDG member Todd Strehlow, sustainable architecture specialist Rasmus Astrup and The Right Honourable The Lord Deben.
Robert Huxford, Director of the Urban Design Group, said: “We’re thrilled to bring this conversation to Ipswich – one of the UK’s oldest towns, yet as the UK’s first Town of Youth Social Action, also a place putting young voices at the heart of urban design and empowering the next generation to shape their community.
“Addressing challenges such as budget constraints and the climate crisis requires exactly this kind of forward-thinking collaboration across the built environment sector.”
Other highlights in the programme include a tour of Christchurch Mansion and subsequent drinks reception on the Thursday evening, as well as a tour of the Willis Building and UDG’s annual dinner at Ipswich Town Hall on the Friday.
Louise Thomas, Co-Editor of Urban Design, said: “For the construction and development industry, the sessions on collaboration and developer engagement will be essential.
“With some developers reporting urban design increasing sales revenue by 10-15%, and others seeing far quicker sales and reduced costs, the conference comes at key time.”
Founded in 1978, UDG is a registered charity bringing together those dedicated to raising the standards of urban design.Tickets for the conference, alongside event timings and venue information, can be found here.