New audio event: Exploring design and collaboration for town living.
Architecture and Design Scotland is set to host an engaging discussion on Wednesday 17 April, focusing on the design and collaboration necessary to create liveable town centres in Scotland. With a growing interest in maximising housing opportunities within town centres, the event aims to shed light on how effective design can enhance the functionality and appeal of urban living spaces.
Several key trends underline the importance of utilising town centres in innovative ways:
- Ageing population: Addressing the needs of an ageing population by offering a variety of accessible housing options within town centres can enhance quality of life and social engagement without the need for cars or public transport.
- Housing crisis: The scarcity of well-designed and affordable housing can be alleviated by repurposing existing town centre assets to create vibrant residential areas.
- Change in retail: As traditional retail models evolve, there is a growing need to repurpose town centre buildings for alternative uses such as services and residential spaces.
- Biodiversity crisis: By repurposing town centres for housing and services, there is a reduced need to develop greenfield sites, contributing to biodiversity conservation and climate action.
- Climate crisis: Retrofitting and refurbishing existing buildings in town centres can provide energy-efficient homes and breathe new life into urban spaces, contributing to sustainability efforts.
The upcoming Place conversation hosted by Architecture and Design Scotland will bring together experts to discuss the importance of collaborative efforts across disciplines and physical boundaries to enhance town centre living. The event will showcase successful case studies and delve into the challenges of transforming town centres into desirable residential areas.
Heather Claridge, the Director of Design at Architecture and Design Scotland, expressed enthusiasm about the forthcoming Place conversation, highlighting the significance of designing town centres to foster a vibrant community. The event aims to provide built environment professionals with insights from industry experts and facilitate knowledge sharing across Scotland.
Speakers at the Place Conversation will include Claire McArthur, Policy & Strategy Manager at Aberdeen City Council, and Rory Kellett, Architect and Director of Threesixty Architecture.
Earlier in 2024, the Town Centre Living and Investment Roadshow laid the groundwork for this upcoming discussion. Inspired by the insights gleaned from the roadshow, Architecture and Design Scotland plans to explore valuable lessons on design with a special emphasis on town centre development. The collaborative effort of Scotland’s Towns Partnership, Scottish Futures Trust, Architecture and Design Scotland, and the Scottish Land Commission during the Roadshow paved the way for further exploration of innovative design solutions.
You can tune in to the live broadcast of the event on LinkedIn from 12:00-12:30 by following this link.
