Architecture Lecture Will Focus On Healthy People, Place And Planet

Published on: 29 Oct, 2015
Updated on: 1 Nov, 2015

With Guildford’s draft Town Centre Masterplan starting its six-week consultation, this year’s Annual Architecture Lecture is perfectly timed to offer some insight into what makes a great town.

Co-hosted by The Guildford Society and the University of Surrey, the lecture Healthy People, Place and Planet: The Triple Bottom Line moves deep into the processes of world-friendly design of human towns and cities, with a particular focus on how good placemaking offers the win-win of increasing quality of life while slashing carbon emissions.

The lecture is sponsored by Linden Homes and takes place on Tuesday, November 3 at 7pm at the University of Surrey’s Rik Medlik Building.

John Thompson, chairman of JTP and honorary president of the Academy of Urbanism who is giving the Annual Architecture Lecture on November 3 at 7pm.

The lecture, now in its ninth year, will be delivered by John Thompson, chairman of the renowned placemaking practice, JTP and honorary president of the Academy of Urbanism.

Mr Thompson is an international architect and masterplanner with extensive experience of strategic planning, sustainable urbanism and urban regeneration for both the public and private sectors.

He said: “I’m honoured to have been asked to present the lecture. Guildford is in an envious position of deciding its future, it’s an exciting time for the public to have their say and to focus on what will make this great town even greater.

“It is well understood that the high-consumption economy of the developed world is threatening our planet through climate change and environmental destruction. This same economy also imposes serious, extremely expensive and avoidable public health problems from sedentary lifestyles, poor air quality and social isolation.

“The design of our settlements has a decisive effect on the way we lead our lives. There is no shortage of things we could do better, collectively and as individuals.”

Julian Lyon, the chairman of The Guildford Society, said: “The Annual Architectural Lecture has long been a staple in the calendar of both the university and our society but in a year when adoption of a Town Centre Masterplan has to be agreed, this year’s lecture couldn’t be more appropriate.

“Guildford has just one chance to get it right and every opportunity to learn how placemaking can be achieved to best effect are very welcome.”

The lecture’s sponsor, Linden Homes, has a regional office in Guildford and is currently working on a planning application for a new development within the grounds of Guildford’s landmark cathedral which will enable the cathedral to set up an endowment to safeguard its future.

Linden has also put in proposals to redevelop the former Redwood Care Centre into a high quality, low-density residential redevelopment, providing both open market and affordable homes for local families.

Admission to the lecture is free. A pay bar will be open prior to the lecture.

For more information visit: surrey.ac.uk/arts/visualarts or call 01483 686876.