

More names released for judging panel - Winter Awards 2021
Future Cities Forum is releasing further names for our all female judging panel - Winter Awards 2021. The Leader of Westminster City Council, Cllr Rachael Robathan, will join our judging panel along with V&A's Director of Design, Estate, and Public Programme, Dr Philippa ('Pip') Simpson, architects dRMM's founding director and National Infrastructure Commission commissioner Sadie Morgan, Head of Grimshaw's London Studio Kirsten Lees, and Director at Chapman Taylor, Marcelina


Design philosophy behind Manchester Goods Yard
Manchester Goods Yard (Chapman Taylor for Allied London, funded by Aviva Life & Pensions UK) Future Cities Forum will be discussing the future of office design across our newsletters and events in 2022 - particularly in our January forum which debate developers' views on the future for mixed-used city developments and workspace. That's why we are showcasing the importance of Allied London's Manchester Goods Yard development in the St John's District of the city. Construction


Recruiting the Mayor of London's new Design Advocates
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is recruiting a new cohort of Mayor's Design Advocates (MDAs) - independent experts who will ensure quality buildings and public spaces that benefit Londoners and are at the heart of the capital's recovery from the pandemic. Sadiq will appoint thirty Design Advocates with a wealth of expertise and skills to support his vision of 'good growth', delivering a more inclusive and sustainable built environment. The original cohort of MDAs was appoin


First names of judges announced for Future Cities Forum Winter Awards 2021
Jenny Rowlands - Chief Executive - Camden Council, joins our all female panel of judges Future Cities Forum is releasing the first group of names of the judges who will be voting in our Winter Awards 2021. The judges will consider projects selected by Future Cities Forum across seven categories including master-planning, infrastructure projects and cultural cities. In an all female judging panel the Chief Executive of Camden Council, Jenny Rowlands will join the Head of Sust


Historic mill in Stockport provides inspiration for new housing and community
CGI from BDP of Weir Mill development in Stockport Architects and engineering practice BDP is moving ahead with designs for a mixed use, 253-home development at Weir Mill, Stockport having been given approval for the scheme by Stockport Council. The plans for client Capital & Centric, include restoration of the mill buildings and the construction of two new buildings to create a thriving new community. The news follows a report by Historic England suggesting that vacant mills


Carbon neutral drive boosted by new Greater Manchester and Octopus Energy Partnership
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester (Photo from Tackle4MCR / PA) The Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has been commenting on a a new partnership between the authority and Octopus Energy Group in its bid to become carbon neutral by 2038, 12 years ahead of the UK target date. The agreement focuses attention on the twin themes of Science and Innovation which will see Octopus Energy trial the uptake of new green energy tariffs for customers in Greater Manchester. Th


MICA Architects appointed to refurbish Victorian shops in South London
CGI of how 729 - 733 Old Kent Road could look after restoration and re-purposing (MICA Architects for Southwark Council) Future Cities Forum has been reporting on the importance of restoring heritage shop fronts throughout the year and so we are delighted to feature MICA Architects' appointment by Southwark Council to refurbish a row of Victorian shops on the Old Kent Road. The shops (720-733 Old Kent Road) have stood empty for many years and the council has appointed MICA th


LDA Design leads 'Science Cities and the Arc' workshop
Back to college: Tom Perry of LDA Design (standing) leads a workshop at 'Science Cities and the Arc' at Newnham Cambridge, with Anna Strongman of Oxford University Development presenting At our recent 'Science Cities and the Arc' forum at Newnham College Cambridge, we were fortunate to have an experienced planning and design workshop moderator - Tom Perry of LDA Design - setting a creative task for the assembled guests and contributors from R&D campuses, health trusts, univer


The Digital City
Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire Our forum 'The Digital City' was held this week looking in more detail at discussions taking place at COP 26. Panellists tackled issues around reducing carbon emissions, digitising the planning system for greater collaboration and for environmental benefit, and the value of harnessing data to aid research work into protecting the planet. The following questions were asked: How can gathering data from space help to protect the Earth? How can digitis


Amber Infrastructure joins Future Cities Forum climate change event
Following the Mayor of London's announcement at COP 26 this week that he will commit £30 million to the Mayor's Energy Efficiency Fund (MEEF) over the next two years, Amber Infrastructure which runs MEEF, will join Future Cities Forum's climate event to discuss the success of the fund. Amber Infrastructure is a specialist international investment manager, focussed on investment origination, asset management and fund management. Amber's core business focusses on sourcing, deve