Urbanist on a Mission

????Planning Engagement! ??Join us for a sit down chat between?Urbanist on a Mission?and?Nouvella K. from theurbanplan_her, Council Planning Officer and content creator. ??The?Royal Town Planning Institute?champions raising awareness about the power of town planning and attracting more diverse voices. That’s why it’s so exciting to see planning content like this, working to make the industry more accessible. ???Town planning engagement is essential for creating sustainable, functional, and vibrant communities. By helping people learn about planning and how they can get involved, we can work together to manage land use efficiently. This includes ensuring that areas for housing, commerce, recreation and green spaces are well-distributed. ??What pages could we follow that help us learn more about how our neighbourhoods are being shaped?

??RTPI London Committee! ???I’m so pleased to be on the RTPI London Committee (RAC) across 2025/2026. ??The group supports the Corporate Strategy and advises the Regional Management Board; as well as organising events, newsletters, media coverage, awards and other activities for the RTPI. From shaping our CPD offering to acting as the London Lead for the EDI sub-committee, I’m so excited to be a part of this journey for the organisation. ??This comes at a poignant type for the world of planning, with our new?Royal Town Planning Institute?president Helen Fadipe MBE. FRTPI, FRSA. setting the tone by establishing three core themes: “collaboration, investment and inclusivity”. Helen also emphasises the importance of education, mentoring and support for planners, championing accessible pathways to the tools needed across the profession. ??What opportunities could help you learn more about town planning, or even inspire your work as a planner?

??Co-development project! ??So much more than a community cafe, Our Yard is all about creating “spaces & opportunities for all generations and backgrounds to meet & connect”. ???This includes championing local businesses through studio-hire, markets and outdoor events. To build resilience and ensure this can be done come rain or shine, the team are developing a multifunctional canopy in partnership with Maria Kramer and the Architecture Master’s course at the University of Westminster. ??????As part of the Live Projects Platform, the students and staff have worked in collaboration with the group to explore a community-led design. This is an example of “co-development”, where local engagement is a key part of influencing the project. ??Have you been following?The Clitterhouse Farm Project’s mission? Brent Cross Town

Perfect summary from Jens Winton on the 2025 Platinum Property Partners conference. It was great to present but couldn't echo more a big "thanks again to the hardworking team"!

Always a pleasure to work with RetrofitWorks Co-operative! Learning from other case studies, having a community to brainstorm with and access to experts in this space is essential for upgrading our housing stock ??

??Planning and Energy Updates! ??It was great to be invited back to the national conference, presenting on all things planning for?Platinum Property Partners. ???From the government’s push for housing delivery, changes to the application process, revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework and much more - my sessions were all about how to work with the system. ??Covering more than just “an exciting time for planning”, of course we had to touch on the government’s Warm Homes Plan and consultation around EPC methodology. I was joined by the fantastic Rick Dalton and Malcolm Crabbe, opening up an interactive discussion around how landlords can prepare. ??How are you keeping up with the government’s plans for planning?

??Webinar Wrap-Up! ??Thank you to the 60+ people who registered to join us for our webinar: Retrofit Skills – What’s Next? Here’s a few short snippets! ? ??The session was hosted by Mahsa I., Founder of Urbanist on a Mission, which aims to motivate the creation of sustainable places through town planning, public speaking and social media. Following the webinar,?Urbanist on a Mission?commented: ? “It was a privilege to host this interactive session featuring three experienced Retrofit Coordinators, Ben Owen, Ian Preston and Tom Procter. They offered some great insights into the real world of retrofitting, from the different roles within the industry, managing communication and overcoming challenges. ? As the country aims to retrofit at pace for more efficient, safe and comfortable homes, it’s so important to understand what the process looks like in practice. Amongst the audience, some of their biggest barriers to retrofitting included: * Training and skills * Costs and homeowner awareness * Opportunities for experience, shadowing and finding freelance work ? I believe that what RetrofitWorks are doing to create a community for shared knowledge and experience is absolutely vital for achieving the retrofit revolution.” ???Check out?RetrofitWorks Co-operative?for the next webinar on Thursday 23rd January with Dave Bailey from?Your Home Better?talking all things electricals!

??House Shares and Mental Health! ??I met with?Vicky Leung?in Oxford who talked me through the ethos behind the?Medshare house shares. ??Vicky’s job is to “make sure our housemates are heard” and be “their voice”. At a time when providing good quality housing is at the top of the government’s agenda, it’s so important to highlight examples of positive renting dynamics. ??Beyond a focus on communication, comfort and design, Vicky’s passion clearly lies in fostering an authentic sense of community within and between the Medshare houses. For those who may have just moved to a new area, be too busy with work for social plans or just prefer living with others, finding the right shared house could be life-changing. ??What does a good quality house share look like to you?

??Eco Home Tours! ??The South East London Community Energy Co-op (SELCE) provide a variety of resources and events to help people reduce their energy bills, lower emissions and feel comfortable at home. ???This includes free eco home tours across South East London - with the next one on Saturday November 9th in Deptford! ??These tours allow you to visit real retrofit projects, seeing first-hand how the energy efficiency has been improved. From cost breakdowns, technology comparisons and health impacts, it’s a great opportunity to ask any questions you might have or get some inspiration! Retrofitting can include measures like: - ???insulating your loft, walls, and floors - ??upgrading your heating system - ??upgrading your windows to double or triple glazing - ??installing solar panels ? ??Check out www.selce.org.uk to sign up to the next eco home tour, access free energy advice, learn more about available grants and much more! Lewisham Council Royal Borough of Greenwich

??Urban Community Gardens! ??Join me at the?The Green Project?in Shepherd’s Bush to hear from some of the amazing volunteers keeping the garden alive. ??The top reasons why they have dedicated time to these special pockets of green space include: - ??Making best use of land! These small plots used to be neglected dumping grounds for rubbish. Now they make the street look better and provide a communal garden space for all to benefit from. - ??Connecting with nature. Gardening can provide a therapeutic escape, teach new skills, help us stay active and foster an appreciation for the environment. - ??A sense of belonging and friendship. These places bring different people together regardless of their background, providing a safe space to bond over an activity. ??Is there a community garden near you that could use some help? ?? Learn more about the group here: https://lnkd.in/ezQEnBb2 Maria S.