The Academy of Urbanism (AoU)

How can Ireland’s growing towns and cities match the best of their European counterparts? https://lnkd.in/eFwKwgbc In this article, David Browne, Tony Reddy, and Kevin Murray reflect on this question, suggesting that Irish towns can do much better by considering the achievements of successful cities like Barcelona, Freiburg, and Helsinki. Speakers from these three places will join the programme of the upcoming AoU & RIAI conference, Ireland 2050: Balanced by Design, to provide a European perspective to the challenges facing Irish towns and cities. Come to this solutions-focused conference (25-26 March), and be part of the change Ireland needs. Future homes, jobs, and local wellbeing will depend on it. Full details at theaou.org/dublin #AoUevents #RIAIevents #Dublin #balancedbydesign #liveablecities #Helsinki #Barcelona #Freiburg #architecture #placemaking Dr.-Ing. Anke Jurleit Wulf Daseking Pasi Rajala Matti Kuronen Xavier Matilla

We're?delighted to partner with CIBSE's Society for Light and Lighting?for a thought-provoking day conference diving into the complexities of night-time lighting. Illuminating the Future: Balancing Light and Dark Nightscapes Thursday 27 March 2025, London https://lnkd.in/eqnuKfHv The programme?will feature cross sectoral experts from fields including urban planning, environmental science, criminology, and social psychology, exploring: Impact on Nocturnal Species; Crime Reduction and Public Safety; Social Interaction and Community Well-being; and Design Considerations for All. More info and AoU Member discount can be found over at https://lnkd.in/eqnuKfHv #urbanism #AoUpartner #urbanlighting

With growth front and centre of the government’s agenda and last week’s publication of the Plan for Neighbourhoods, what can UK based urbanists learn about new town development from Utrecht? From embedded urban extensions to emerging and pending new neighbourhoods, Utrecht is home innovative models that prioritise Healthy Urban Living for its citizens whilst accommodating expansion and population growth. Walk- and bike-ability and high-quality public realm go hand in hand to ensure a sustainable social and environmental future. #AoUCongress delegates will have several opportunities over the three day programme (11-13 June) to learn more about these projects – ?both the successes and the challenges – through site visits and workshops, and bring lessons home to apply to your own practice. Find out more about the 2025 Congress programme and book your place at theaou.org/utrecht Photos of Leidsche Rijn by Nanda Sluijsmans I Stedenbouwkundige Sluijsmans (via WikiMedia) #AoUevents #AoUCongress2025 #HealthyUrbanLiving #Utrecht #dutchurbanism #newtowns #PlanforNeighbourhoods #growth Gemeente Utrecht

Just some of the brilliant speakers, panelists, and facilitators joining the programme for the upcoming Ireland 2050: Balanced by Design conference on 25 & 26 March at Dublin Castle, organised in collaboration with the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) Urbanists of all backgrounds - academics, architects, journalists, economists, local government representatives, and more - will join both from within Ireland and further afield, including perspectives from Barcelona and Helsinki. For the full programme, speaker info and tickets, visit theaou.org/dublin #AoUevents #RIAIevents #Dublin #irishurbanism #urbanism #architecture Dr.-Ing. Anke Jurleit Alan Mee Alice Charles Brian Moran Andreas Markides Dr Carole Pollard FRIAI Claragh Mulhern Clare Mulholland Cathal O'Boyle Conor Sreenan Charlotte Sheridan FRIAI MIPI David Browne Jerry Grant emmet humphreys Kathryn Meghen Eoghan Lynch Marie Hunt Frances Ruane Mark Gantly Niall Cussen Matti Kuronen Pasi Rajala Mick Mulhern Sean Mahon Tom Watts Xavier Matilla Séamus Guidera

Have you ever heard of a wellby? It’s not a marsupial shaped rubber boot. Last week I tuned into one of the The Academy of Urbanism (AoU) monthly urbanism hours, and I learnt that a wellby is a standardised measure of life satisfaction. BIGGAR Economics Ltd gave a brilliant presentation, on how they are using this metric (which can be translated into a monetary value) to strengthen the financial cases for developments that have a positive impact on our wellbeing. The example that stood out for me was a leisure centre refurbishment. The estimated cost of this refurbishment was greater than the economic benefit, but the wellbeing benefit was calculated to be almost double the cost of refurbishment! As an Architect passionate about the impact that places have our wellbeing, I can’t help but wonder how different some of our cities and towns may look if we utilized this metric more often. - And I’d even pose the question: if we can use it to justify development with positive impacts on wellbeing, could it also be used to build a case to oppose developments that could have a negative impact on wellbeing? Here’s a link to a map showing the wellby scores of different UK places. How does your local area fair? https://lnkd.in/evdwNtWr

We have a limited number of student / concession tickets available for the AoU and Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI)'s upcoming conference, Ireland 2050: Balanced by Design - Delivering liveable and successful towns and cities *now* Programme info, speaker details, and instructions on how to apply for student ticket can be found at theaou.org/dublin #AoUevents #RIAIevents #YoungUrbanists #Dublin #irishurbanism #studentevents

Looking to the month ahead at the AoU... ?? This Thursday 6 March at midday we have the monthly online coffee break, where guest contributor David Stewart will talk us through the Scottish Land Commission's latest report?on unlocking rural housing. ???? From 24 - 26 March we'll be in Dún Laoghaire and Dublin with the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) for our joint conference, Ireland 2050: Balanced by Design, featuring speakers from Barcelona and Helsinki as well as across Ireland. ?? We have partnered with CIBSE's SLL - Society of Light and Lighting for their day conference on Thursday 27 March in London, titled 'Illuminating the Future: Balancing Light and Dark Nightscapes' - AoU Member discounts available. ?? We end the month, as usual, with an online Urbanism Hour, this time looking at Rebuilding Urban Complexity inspired by Dr Francesca Froy's recent book. ?? And don't forget, Early Bird discounts for Congress: Healthy Urban Living in Utrecht this June are available until Sunday 30 March, so book now to save up to 50% on your tickets. Details on all of these events, including speaker info and discount codes, can be found via theaou.org/events #AoUevents #urbanismevents #placemakingevents #Dublin #DunLaoghaire #London #Utrecht

We're thrilled to add an evening of tours and networking in Dún Laoghaire (Great Town winner 2022) on Monday 24 March, ahead of the Ireland 2050: Balanced by Design conference in Dublin Castle on 25 & 26 March. If you're joining us for the conference, you can find out more about Monday's programming and register for the tour and workshop at theaou.org/24-March The full conference programme, speakers, and tickets can be found via theaou.org/dublin Ireland 2050: Balanced by Design is co-organised by the AoU and the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI), in partnership with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage #AoUevents #RIAIevents #UrbanismAwards #DunLaoghaire #Dublin #Ireland #urbanism #architecture #urbanismevents

Tickets are now on sale for Congress 2025 - Utrecht: Healthy Urban Living! ?? Karin Huber-Heim and Jan Vapaavuori join this year's programme as the keynote speakers, workshops, networking, and plenary sessions exploring what Utrecht can teach and learn about healthy urban living. For more information - including AoU Member discounts, FAQs, and Young Urbanist volunteer opportunities - visit theaou.org/utrecht In partnership with Gemeente Utrecht #AoUevents #AoUCongress #dutchurbanism #urbanism #healthyurbanliving #urbandesign #healthyurbanism #healthycities #vienna #helsinki

Any urbanists in Brisbane? AoU Director Victoria Whenray ARB RIBA AoU will be in conversation at the Parlour Inc: gender, equity, architecture Summer Salon. Find out more or sign up at https://lnkd.in/g5xDMG6i