A discussion on the topics of placemaking, social value and wellbeing.

Speakers:

Flora Samuel (Professor of Architecture in the Built Environment, University of Reading)

Flora Samuel is Professor at the University of Reading where she came from being Head at the University of Sheffield school to help start a school of Architecture delivering ‘an education for uncertainty’ and a mother. She has long been interested in the connections between people and the environment with a particular emphasis on mental health and spirituality and is trying to bring some of this into the industry value agenda, one outcome being her most recent book Why Architects Matter (2018). In 2016 she set up the Research Practice Leads, a group of over 30 practices that meets quarterly to advance the cause of research of architectural research. Together they published the Social Value Toolkit for Architects with the RIBA earlier this year. Amongst other things she is Building Design columnist on social value and leads the ‘place’ strand within the UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence (CACHE).

Christine Murray (Founding Editor-in-Chief of The Developer magazine, Director, Festival of Place) Christine Murray is the founding Editor-in-Chief of The Developer magazine and director of the Festival of Place. She writes passionately about equity and liveable cities. She is former Editor-in-Chief of The Architects’ Journal and The Architectural Review where she founded the Women in Architecture Awards (now known as the W Awards) and received an honorary fellowship from the RIBA for her contribution to architecture.