National Urban Design Conference 2026
About this Event
Local Authority/Public Sector/Students/Academics/Not-for-profits (Please apply for a discount here)
The National Urban Design Conference 2026: Glasgow
The Urban Design Group is excited to announce that we will be holding the National Urban Design Conference for 2026 in Glasgow.
This year, we will explore the theme ‘Places for LIFE’, drawing inspiration from Glasgow and beyond. Expect an outstanding programme featuring insightful talks and current thinking from leading speakers, inspiring walking workshops, engaging discussions, and plenty of opportunities for meaningful conversations, connection and networking.
Together, throughout the conference, participants will have the opportunity to identify ways to improve existing government policy, guidance and practice, helping to shape a shared agenda that as a community can be taken forward to influence debate, inspire action and deliver meaningful progress across the built environment industry and beyond.
Programme Preview
Our programme continues to grow. Explore the themes that will shape the conversations at this year's conference.
Day 1 (Thursday)
Session 1: Glasgow's Story: Programmes, Performance and Place
Our opening session will introduce delegates to this year’s conference destination. Exploring Glasgow's recent urban journey through policy, projects, culture and city-making.
Session 2: Exploring Glasgow (Walking Workshops)
After learning about Glasgow's story, delegates will head out into the city centre to experience it firsthand. A choice of guided walking workshops will explore the places, people and projects shaping Glasgow, introducing and bringing key conference themes to life through real-world examples.
- Place, Identity and Regeneration: Candleriggs and the Merchant City
- Building Neighbourhoods: The Laurieston Transformation
- “Her City" Walk
- Civic Placemaking: George Square
More walks to be confirmed!
Session 3: Places You Can Fall in Love With
What makes a place memorable and meaningful? This session explores how heritage shapes identity, fosters belonging and strengthens communities. Speakers will examine our psychological attachment to place and demonstrate how conserving and adapting historic buildings can create distinctive places that people value for generations.
Session 4: From ideas to practice: Glasgow's Feminist Planning Toolkit
How do we put the principles of feminist urbanism into practice? This session explores what it means for Glasgow to be the UK's first Feminist City, from policy commitment to the development of a new Feminist Planning Toolkit. How can women’s lived experience, intersectionality, safety and inclusion be translated into everyday planning and design decisions?
Reception and Dinner - 1599 at the Royal College
Guests will be welcomed with drinks and the opportunity to explore highlights from the College's historic collection. This will be followed by dinner in the magnificent College Hall, where soaring ceilings, intricate period details, and the company of fellow built environment professionals provide a setting for connection and a memorable evening.
Day 2 (Friday)
Session 1: Places Where You Can Thrive
Explore the ingredients of thriving neighbourhoods, from getting density right to fostering strong communities and supporting innovation and enterprise. Speakers will examine how thoughtful urban design can create productive, connected and resilient places.
Session 2: Places Where You Can Just Be (Workshops)
How do we create places where everyone feels safe, welcome and able to thrive? Through a choice of workshops, delegates will have the opportunity to explore how urban design can create healthier, safer and more inclusive places for everyone — from designing with and for children and rethinking park safety, to working with communities to shape blue-green infrastructure. We’ll also explore emerging insights from neuroscience, and what they can teach us about how people experience, navigate and connect with urban environments.
Session 3: Places for Life: Vision to Reality
How do bold ideas become lasting change? This session explores how new thinking, effective leadership and strategic investment can turn ambitious visions into real places. Speakers will examine how policy, design and collaboration can work together to look beyond the status quo and deliver change.
More sessions to be announced!
Confirmed speakers and programme contributors
Many more leading, inspiring and not-to-be-missed speakers to be announced soon:
Dr Laura Alvarez, Nottingham City Council
Professor Husam Al Waer, University of Dundee
Ciaran Buchanan, Glasgow City Council
Laetitia Butler, Glasgow City Council
Kit Bullas, John McAslan + Partners
Dr Robyne Calvert, Cultural Historian and author of The Mack
Bea Chivers, Ryder Architecture
Heather Claridge, Glasgow City Region
Gina Colley, Threesixty Architecture Ltd
Dr May East, UN House Scotland
Professor Brian Mark Evans, the Glasgow School of Art
Lucy Fineberg, UMC Architects
Anna Gaffney, A Place in Childhood
Dr Lucrezia Gigante, University of Glasgow
Professor Kate Jeffery, University of Glasgow
Chris Martin, Urban Movement
Daniela Miler, A Place in Childhood & AtkinsRéalis
Marina Milosev, Beyond the Red Line
Daisy Narayanan MBE, The Crown Estate
Hannah Smart, edge Urban Design
Rob Thompson, Rob Thompson Urbanism
Nick Walker, Iceni Projects
Momentum is growing and it's an exciting time for urban design. Join the urban design community in Glasgow to exchange ideas, solve problems collaboratively, and turn ideas into action!
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 100.00 to GBP 400.00
