Proctor & Matthews Architects’ Post

#AccessibleEU brought together international experts in accessible urbanism in an event about #SmartCities held in Madrid on 2 July. The event aimed to raise awareness and promote best practices in accessibility within urban environments, and was structured around the following topics: - Smart human cities: technology at the service of urban design and mobility for all; - Users of the urban environment: needs, problems and good practices for the use and enjoyment of public spaces; - Lessons learned from the award-winning cities in the European Commission's Access City Award; - New urban developments: strategies and challenges for effectively incorporating accessibility in urban design processes. #AccessibleCities #InclusiveUrbanDesign

What can the U.S. learn from European planning and urbanism? See the attached, just-published article by me on this very subject in Metropolis Magazine. https://lnkd.in/eyWV2Y2h

Two really interesting walks with our team for London Festival of Architecture to explore key themes in our research: participatory approaches to understanding safety, and embedding cultural infrastructure. Have a wander into the link below… 🚶♀️➡️🚶🏽➡️

Quality, respect, and political disappointment - by Eduardo Souto de Moura Eduardo Souto de Moura started collaborating with Álvaro Siza during the revolution in Portugal, at a time when the country faced a dramatic housing shortage in the early 1970s that contributed to the energies of the so-called Carnation Revolution of 1974, after 40 years of dictatorship. SAAL (Serviço Ambulatório de Apoio Local, or Local Ambulatory Support Service in English), which ran from 1974 to 1976, was an ambitious housing program created by Nuno Portas (Secretary of State of Housing and Urban Development after the revolution). It was a unique collaboration between architects and city-dwellers in need of decent, affordable housing. However, in October 1976, its coordination was handed over to the municipal authorities, causing the end of the development of SAAL projects in Porto, where the city council was very critical of the program. The housing project S. Victor Social Housing (1974-1977), together with Bouça Housing Complex (1973-1978), both in Porto, are among Siza’s most politically engaged works. Both were part of the SAAL housing program. ▶️ This story was part of Eduardo Souto de Moura’s talk at our event in Madrid. You can find the full talk on our website (https://lnkd.in/dMB5kAZR). On our website, you can find all our talks under “Archive.” 📸 Portrait picture of Siza by Fernando Guerra. #architectsnotarchitecture #anatalks #architecture #housing #urbanplanning #portugal #carnationrevolution #socialhousing #alvarosiza #eduardosoutodemoura #politicalpessimism

How can the UK deliver 1.5m high quality homes and places and meet the challenges of the climate crisis? We will be exploring this question in the first of our #Refine series hosted by White Arkitekter chaired by Phineas Harper. For this event we have gathered an expert panel discussing how the UK and other countries are tackling sustainable housing at scale. We look forward to hearing from Russ Edwards about The Garden Community in Tendering and Colchester where Latimer by Clarion Housing Group are bringing forward thousands of new homes in a sustainable community. What can we learn from large housing programmes overseas? In 1996 the Netherlands undertook the 10 year Vinex progamme, an ambitious project to deliver over 1m new homes across the Netherlands. With new communities added to almost every town and city. Between 1965-1974 Sweden's Milion Programme (Miljonprogrammet) aimed to deliver 1m affordable, high quality homes across Sweden. Whether through new towns, estate regeneration or retrofit, what can we learn from each other and how can different approaches by applied to the UK context? With a mix of UK expertise and international inspiration, the event will attempt to uncover how collaboration, design, and sustainability can shape housing policies and practices to meet the needs of people and the planet. Russ Edwards, Latimer by Clarion Housing Group Linda Thiel, White Arkitekter Gerard Maccreanor, Maccreanor Lavington Selasi Setufe MBE, GLA / Black Females in Architecture Chair: Phineas Harper, Design Council Council Homes Taskforce Eventbrite link below 👇 #Refine #whitearkitekter #sustainablehomes

Collaboration within local government structures should be strengthened to foster the exchange of experiences, ideas, and knowledge between diverse actors involved in local-level activities. There is a shortage of initiatives aimed at strengthening local democracy, as well as comprehensive efforts that bring together different sectors and stakeholders to facilitate meaningful dialogue and cooperation in community-building processes. Tomorrow, I’ll be participating alongside the National Institute of Architecture and Urban Planning Narodowy Instytut Architektury i Urbanistyki in the National Congress on Local Cooperation in Warsaw Fundacja Rozwoju Demokracji Lokalnej Centrum Mazowsze. I look forward to seeing you there as we discuss local democracy, social activation, and strengthening the potential of the third sector. A multisectoral collaborative approach, systems thinking, and meaningful participation are essential for integrated /holistic masterplanning, which is key to sustainable growth. AR Urbanism #Placemaking #BuiltEnvironment #participation #holisticplanning #ClimateResilienceEquity  #BuildingBridges

“The New European Bauhaus is an initiative that has put architecture, urbanism, design, and culture at the centre of the EU’s policies for the first time. […] Undoubtedly, the next legislature will be the one to implement the solutions coming from the NEB for the urban fabric, to think about what cities we want for the future.” Marcos Ros Sempere, MEP for the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, shares with us his vision for the NEB’s lasting impact on positively shaping future 🇪🇺 policies and urban development. Are you looking forward to seeing neighbourhoods across Europe transform under the NEB vision? Then hit like and leave a comment below! 👇 #NewEuropeanBauhaus #EUGreenDeal #UrbanSustainability

Welcoming the Akademie van Plaats as a U4Earth Partner Organization The Akademie van Plaats is a pioneering organization in the Netherlands dedicated to transforming urban environments through innovative placemaking and urban planning. The Akademie's mission is to create vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable public spaces that enhance community well-being and foster social interaction. It has successfully implemented numerous placemaking projects that transform public spaces into vibrant, community-focused environments. These projects have revitalized urban areas, making them more inclusive and sustainable. Through its comprehensive educational programs, the Akademie van Plaats has trained thousands of professionals in the principles of placemaking and sustainable urban design. These programs have equipped urban planners, architects, and community leaders with the skills to create better public spaces. Additionally, the Akademie van Plaats has contributed significantly to the body of knowledge in urban planning through its research and publications. Its work has influenced policy and practice in cities worldwide, promoting the importance of community engagement in urban development. One of the Akademie’s core strengths is its ability to engage with local communities. By involving residents in the planning process, it ensures that public spaces meet the needs of those who use them. This participatory approach has led to more successful and sustainable outcomes. In conclusion, the partnership between U4Earth and the Akademie van Plaats promises to be a powerful force for positive change. Together, we will create a future where regenerative, vibrant, and inclusive communities are the norm, not the exception. Welcome, Akademie van Plaats, to the U4Earth family! #EarthRegeneration #CommunityEngagement #InclusiveCommunities #Change

How can a digital twin influence the urban design of a city to achieve sustainability and resilience goals? We asked Wim Symens, who has lived in both Singapore and Belgium. #digitaltwin #smartcities #urbandesign

How can we live within the planet’s boundaries, and what does a planet-positive home look like? 🌎💚 That’s the question Home.Earth Foundation is posing to young architectural studios through the One Planet Challenge. A distinguished jury will evaluate the proposals, including current and former Copenhagen city architects Lars Jensen (jury chair), Tina Saaby , and Camilla Richter-Friis van Deurs. They’ll be joined by nel jan schipull (partner, Tegnestuen Vandkunsten), Elisabeth Hermann Frederiksen (Sustainability Lead, Urban Partners), and Rasmus Nørgaard (representing Home.Earth Foundation). The challenge: To live planet-positively, we must drastically reduce individual space and resource consumption by building fewer private m² and more shared m². This requires rethinking the current average of 59 m² per person in Denmark and challenging traditional notions of a home. The competition is now live. Sign up by the link in the comments 💚