Beyond delivering places, how do we make a positive social impact?
An online conference that brings together professionals seeking to make a measurable and positive place-based impact.
Monday 2 February
11:00: Retrofit: The wider impact beyond building performance
Evidence shows that many of the benefits of retrofit are social and health related, including improved comfort, reduced damp and mould, and better wellbeing, yet these outcomes are rarely captured or valued. This session presents key recommendations to broaden how success in retrofit is defined with Sara Edmonds, National Retrofit Hub
12:00: Beyond homes: Delivering social impact
Affordable housing delivers a significant positive social impact – but can it do more? How can housing development deliver a wider benefit – and how can this be measured and quantified? with Shaun Holdcroft, Legal & General Affordable Homes
13:00: Diverse students diverse spaces: How taste, function and spatial comfort impact diversity
What is the role of design in promoting broader engagement and better attainment? The report Diverse Students Diverse Spaces by Hawkins\Brown draws on insights from 1,000 first-year university students. The surprise finding? We need to rethink open-plan spaces with Xuhong Zheng and Hazel York, Hawkins\Brown
14:00: Rights to place: Delivering spatial justice in UK cities
Where we live shapes how we live – determining our access to quality housing, clean air, parks, cultural opportunities, and influence over decisions that affect people’s daily life. How can spatial justice be strengthened? Based on research, this session provides practical starting points for policy officers, elected leaders, and built environment practitioners – with Cllr John Merry, Chair of Key Cities, Deputy Mayor, Salford City Council and Holly Lewis, We Made That
Tuesday 3 February
11:00: Health in place: Learning from Liverpool Green Lanes
How can we support people to live and age well in the city? The Liverpool Green Lanes project focusses on creating wellness by integrating health, wellbeing, culture, learning, sustainable retail and urban ecology with Paul Bell and Lois Sykes, Ryder architecture
12:00: Community spaces: The key to regeneration without gentrification?
Can community spaces mitigate the impacts of gentrification? The answer is maybe – with the right support to achieve their potential with research by Dr Alice Earley, University of Glasgow
13:00: Developing for London’s future
Graeme Craig, Chief Executive, Places for London will be speaking about how TfL, one of London’s largest landowners, and its independent development arm Places for London are on a mission to meet the growing needs of the city
14:00: Shaped by young people: Exploring social and cultural infrastructure that supports adolescents
Young people want activated, inclusive and safe spaces – but what does this mean in practice, and where? Dr Miriam Burke and Dr Katherine Stansfeld from the London Development Trust present research undertaken with young people aged 12-20 in England, Scotland and Wales
[At 22.07.2026: Early bird offer on non-member tickets @£125. Book now!]