The Academy of Urbanism (AoU)

We're hiring! The AoU team is looking for a maternity cover Membership Coordinator to join us 4 days a week, based largely in Farringdon. The role acts as the main contact for member enquiries, developing and executing strategies to retain and recruit new members, and to support the Exec Team generally. It could be a great opportunity for someone looking to develop their knowledge of the built environment, or for anyone with a project / data background. Please do share with your networks and suggested contacts. More info on how to apply at theaou.org/vacancy Deadline Thursday 27 February 2025 #AoUjobs #jobopportunity #urbanismjobs

"[John Thompson] rejected the prevailing views of the architect as heroic ‘form maker’ early in his career, and pursued instead an altruistic agenda, working directly with local people to create places that encouraged social interaction, and helped to nurture a strong sense of community." The annual AoU Founder's Lecture, held in memory of John Thompson, will take place on Tuesday 11 February 2025 at his alma mater, Cambridge University. theaou.org/lecture The lecture aims to build on John's legacy of championing community through architecture, and it's fitting to have this year's lecture delivered by Jonathan Smales, CEO and Founder of Human Nature, leading the Phoenix development in Lewes. The Phoenix, a new neighbourhood prioritising human and environmental sustainability, was granted planning permission in 2024 following an extensive community engagement process. We can't wait to hear more about this project and more broadly about combatting the climate crisis through urbanism at the Founder's Lecture. Find out more and book your place at theaou.org/lecture #AoUevents #architecture #architectureevents #urbanism #phoenixlewes #lewes #cambridgeuniversity #JohnThompson #JonathanSmales

Join us at Cambridge University next month, Tuesday 11 February, to hear from Jonathan at the 2025 Founder's Lecture. Tickets and more info at theaou.org/lecture #AoUevents

Tickets are now on sale for the next The Academy of Urbanism (AoU) / Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) joint conference: Delivering a Balanced Ireland 2050, taking place on the 25 & 26 March 2025 at Dublin Castle. The event programme will take a solution-focused approach, where innovative ideas for the challenges facing Irish towns and cities will be identified, presented by Irish and international experts in their field. Early Bird rates are available until Friday 21 February. Tickets and more event information can be found at theaou.org/dublin #DeliveringBalancedIreland #LiveableCities #SustainableCities #RIAIevents #AoUevents #Urbanism #UrbanDesign #TownPlanning #IrishCities #IrishArchitecture

New year, new projects? If you're looking to grow your team in 2025, why not check out the AoU Jobs Board, and promote your vacancies to our diverse, multi-disciplinary network of urbanists ready for the challenge. Free for AoU Group Members, with discounts available for other AoU Members, local authorities, and third sector organisations. Find out more at https://lnkd.in/eEtPTX_4 #urbanismjobs #AoUjobs

In a week's time (Weds 22 Jan) we'll be hosting the Members' Winter Party at our office in Farringdon. Whether you're a new member of the AoU or have been around for years, the Winter Party is a lovely opportunity to catch up with the urbanism community over a drink and a bite to eat. Open to all members, with advanced registration required. Register at theaou.org/party #AoUevents #urbanism #youngurbanists #urbandesign #urbanismevents #architecture

The second Founder's Lecture, held in memory of John Thompson, will take place at Cambridge University next month (Tuesday 11 February) , with speaker Jonathan Smales. We're thrilled that Jonathan will be delivering this year's lecture, to share insights from more than 3 decades of experience and leadership in sustainable development, dating back to his time as the MD of Greenpeace UK, and most recently as Founder / CEO of Human Nature, leading on the radical Phoenix development in Lewes. And of course we're delighted to be back at John Thompson's alma mater, Cambridge University's Department of Architecture for this lecture, which will be followed by a drinks reception. Full details and member discounts can be found at theaou.org/lecture #AoUevents #urbanismevents #CambridgeUniversity #PhoenixLewes #JonathanSmales #urbanism #architecture #architectureevents

The first Urbanism Hour of 2025 will take place later this month, 13:00 GMT on Friday 24 January, with author Gustav Magnusson, chaired by Lia Ghilardi. The session will reflect on his recent book, Keynote Conversations: 100 Interviews for Reinventing the City, and explore how we can create meaningful urban futures. Book your place at https://lnkd.in/eJPxPyTc #AoUevents #urbanism #placemaking #urbandesign #urbanfutures #webinar

Stay in the know with all things AoU this year - events, calls for contributors, publications - with our social media and weekly newsletters. Members and non-member subscribers receive a bulletin every Wednesday morning, which you can sign up for at theaou.org/subscribe We've recently moved from Twitter / X over to Bluesky, where you can follow us at https://lnkd.in/eSgn-bZN Or Instagram at https://lnkd.in/e6MPTBXQ And if you don't already follow us on here, what are you waiting for!

The AoU's 2025 programme kicks off this Thursday 8 January (12:00 GMT) with a virtual coffee break with guest contributor Francis Newton. An Academician and the Lead Assessor for the Great Place award, Francis will share insights from almost a decade spent exploring great urbanism in practice across the UK and Ireland. Grab a cuppa a join us to connect with other urbanists and find out more! Register at https://lnkd.in/eT3g6Ta8 #AoUevents #UrbanismAwards #urbanism #placemaking #greatplaces