Registration is at 09:00 am
- Helen Fadipe President, Royal Town Planning Institute
- Jayshree Astley Senior Town Planning Lecturer, LSBU
In a time when the nation's wellbeing is under increasing pressure, this keynote explores the critical role of planning in supporting a healthier future for our population. Drawing on the latest ONS data, we’ll examine the widening disparities in healthy life expectancy and ask a fundamental question: Can we trust the system to deliver for everyone?
This session challenges young professionals to think boldly about their role in transforming places and systems. It will spotlight the diverse career pathways available to planners—from the NHS to marine planning, academia to defence—and highlight how health must be seen not as an add-on, but as central to our work.
Whether you're just starting out or looking to make a bigger impact, this keynote will leave you inspired to lead change, build trust, and help deliver healthier, more equitable places for all.
Michael Chang
Associate Town Planner & Healthy Planning Lead, NHS Property Services & Visiting Professor, WHO Collaborating Centre for Healthy Urban Environments, University of the West of England
This session will examine the pivotal role of town planning and transport systems in shaping healthier communities. The integration of health-focused planning and efficient transport solutions is becoming increasingly more vital as cities develop and evolve. This session aims to highlight and demonstrate how thoughtful planning can significantly enhance public health.
Jenny Jones
Director of Transport Planning, Jacobs
Steve Quartermain
Former Chief Planner, MHCLG
Lisa Fairmaner
Head of London Plan, Greater London Authority
Dr Sophie Elsmore
Senior Lecturer, School of Architecture and Planning LSBU
Michael Chang
Associate Town Planner & Healthy Planning Lead, NHS Property Services & Visiting Professor, WHO Collaborating Centre for Healthy Urban Environments, University of the West of England
There is a networking break at 11:30 am.
This session will explore the critical role of urban design in creating healthy places and fostering healthy communities. As cities continue to grow, the design of urban spaces significantly impacts the physical, mental and social health and wellbeing of its residents. To explore this further, the session will delve into best practices for designing urban environments that promote and enhance public health. Key topics across the panel discussion will include Active Living, Green Infrastructure, Inclusive Design, Mental Health, and Community Engagement.
- Nivedita Vijayan - Associate Director of Urban Design, Jacobs
- Kevin McGeough - Head of Strategy & Placemaking, Ebbsfleet District Council
- Annie Gingell - Associate Director, Turley & Member of Neurodiversity in Planning Network
- Amy Tempest - Principal Area Planner, TfL
- Jimmy Lu - Principal Urban Designer, AECOM
Lunch will be at 13:00
- Charlotte Morphet - Senior Lecturer and Programme Director, University of the Built Environment
- Sam Smith - Planning Manager, NHS London Healthy Urban Development Unit
- Amandeep Kellay - Portfolio Manager Health Effect of Air Pollution | Freight, Construction, Impact on Urban Health
Additional speakers tbc
This session will explore the transformative potential of mobility hubs and their integration with public transport systems in enhancing air quality and public health. As cities worldwide grapple with the dual challenges of pollution and health crises, innovative solutions like mobility hubs offer a promising path forward. Key topics will include: Understanding Mobility Hubs, Air Quality Improvement, Public Health Benefits and Community Engagement. The presentation will utilise case study examples to demonstrate the wide variety of ways mobility hubs can be implemented.
- Kat Carr - Principal Transport Planner, Jacobs
- Emily Hegarty - Senior Transport Planner, Jacobs
Opportunities for health are created through the environments in which people live, learn, work and grow. Health Impact Assessments (HIAs) are increasingly used within the planning process to avoid potential harms and improve the health benefits of land use decisions, thereby supporting the development of healthy built environments. This session will discuss what HIA is and how it has been used within planning systems across the UK. The session will also provide a hands-on opportunity to conduct some of the steps of the HIA process.
- Senuri Mahamithawa - Senior HIA Consultant, RPS
- Katie Hirono - Associate Director, RPS
This session will explore how planners, in both public and private practice, can influence the built environment through the planning system to increase physical activity among the population as a key subset of health, from plan-making and decision-making to post-completion management of places and spaces.
Harry Bailey - Senior Planning Officer, Ebbsfleet DC & London Young Planners Network Chair
Join our panel of healthcare experts as they delve into the pressing challenges and significant opportunities in creating state-of-the-art healthcare facilities for the future. Learn why planning is pivotal in building the essential infrastructure that will serve our communities for generations to come.
- Kerry Harding - Mott Macdonald
- Alexander Tayler - Principal Development Management Officer, BeFirst
- Antonia May - Senior Town Planner, BDP
- Charlotte Hutchinson - Associate Partner, Carter Jonas
- Jack Dunmore - Infrastructure Planning Strategist, NHS
- Dan Allen - Senior Urban Planner, Prior + Partners
- Abhimanyu Acharya - Associate Director, Prior + Partners
Sponsored by Prior + Partners
Chartered RTPI Planners represent the gold standard of planning practice. They are recognized by employers, clients and members of the public for their skills, expertise and professional practice. This session will give delegates an opportunity to explore the routes to chartership. Jayshree Astley will guide delegates through routes to membership and give delegates the opportunity to get an assessor's top tips for a successful APC submission and an insight into how to avoid some common pitfalls.
Jayshree Astley - Senior Town Planning Lecturer, LSBU
This study tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the transformation of Battersea Power Station and its surrounding district through the lens of modern transport planning. Delegates will examine how the extension of the Northern Line, new pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, and integrated transport strategies have supported the area’s regeneration into a vibrant, accessible destination. Led by transport planning professionals, the tour provides insights into the challenges and innovations involved in connecting a historic landmark to London’s evolving mobility network.
Matt Harris - Director, Markides Associates
Hosted by Earls Court Development Co - Further details tbc
Join us for an in-depth exploration of one of London’s most ambitious and complex development projects - Earls Court - where 40 acres of underused land are set to be transformed into a inclusive, and climate-resilient new district. The masterplan with a Hybrid Planning Application submitted last year, will include c. 4000 homes, workspace for 12,000 people, 4 new cultural venues and a 4.5-acre urban park built over the West London line.
This study tour offers delegates a unique opportunity to engage with the master planning vision behind Earls Court: a zero-carbon, mixed-use neighbourhood that prioritises people, place, and planet. Discover how bold design, innovative infrastructure, and community-led development are coming together to create a new benchmark for sustainable urban living in the heart of the capital.
Jamie Hodge - Head of Consultation and Engagement, Earls Court Development Company
Clapham Park is a large estate regeneration project in the London Borough of Lambeth, South London. Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing Association have been leading on the regeneration since early 2000’s. In 2023 Vistry/Countryside were selected as their joint venture development partner to accelerate the renewal of the estate.
Over the next 10 years the vision is to deliver 4,000 new mixed tenure homes, 50% affordable housing and over 4 hectares of high-quality open space including a 300-metre-long linear park. The scheme includes new community and commercial facilities and has recently delivered one of the Country’s largest green energy networks providing hot water and heat, decarbonising the existing estate.
Clapham Park was awarded Best Regeneration Project at the prestigious Inside Housing and What House Awards in 2024.
- Robyn Price - Strategic Planning and Engagement Manager, Vistry Group
- Callum Monks - Associate Development Director, Vistry Group
Sponsored by Vistry Group
Discover how one of London’s most iconic transport hubs has been transformed into a thriving, mixed-use district through one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration projects. This study tour explores the planning, design, and delivery of the King’s Cross redevelopment, highlighting how heritage preservation, sustainable design, and inclusive growth have reshaped the area. Delegates will gain insights into the collaborative processes behind the regeneration, the integration of transport and public space, and the long-term vision for creating a vibrant, connected urban neighbourhood.
- Emma Bennett - Senior Planning Manager, Related Argent
- Sana Lakhany - Planning Manager, Related Argent
- Doug Beasley - Planning Manager, Related Argent
Step into a world where myth meets modernity on this engaging study tour through King’s Cross and St Pancras. Inspired by the legendary tale of the Pied Piper of Hamelin, this tour explores the rich tapestry of history, folklore, and public health through the lens of London’s iconic transport hub. Discover surprising German connections, royal heritage, and echoes of migration—from medieval legends to the Kindertransport memorial. Along the way, we’ll reflect on how stories, symbols, and civic memory shape our understanding of place and identity in a global city.
Lester Hillman - Town Planning Expert, Historian & Retired RTPI Member
Starting at one of the capital’s most fascinating 21st-century regeneration areas, Elephant and Castle, this tour will take you through various sites showcasing London’s evolution from the Roman era and the Middle Ages to the Georgian and Victorian periods. The journey will conclude in the heart of the City of London, right next to The Monument.
Thomas Bender - Senior Associate, Montagu Evans
This study tour explores the transformation of Elephant and Castle into a hub of sustainable urban development and integrated transport. Participants will examine key regeneration projects, including public realm improvements and multimodal transport systems that prioritise accessibility and low-carbon mobility. Led by experts from Transport for London, the tour offers a critical look at how planning, policy, and community engagement intersect to shape a more inclusive and resilient urban future.
Anne Crane - Spatial Planning Lead, Transport for London
This study tour explores the transformation of Elephant and Castle into a hub of sustainable urban development and integrated transport. Participants will examine key regeneration projects, including public realm improvements and multimodal transport systems that prioritise accessibility and low-carbon mobility. Led by experts from Transport for London, the tour offers a critical look at how planning, policy, and community engagement intersect to shape a more inclusive and resilient urban future.
Dr Sophie Elsmore - Senior Lecturer, London Southbank University
This walking tour offers an immersive exploration of the Battersea Power Station development, focusing on the transformative urban design that has reclaimed the waterfront and established a vibrant mixed-use district. Participants will trace the new green link running through the Nine Elms and Battersea areas, experiencing how this strategic corridor enhances connectivity, public space, and biodiversity.
The walk continues along the revitalised riverside, illustrating how the development integrates residential, commercial, cultural, and recreational uses to create a dynamic urban realm anchored by the iconic Power Station. Led by urban design professionals, the tour provides firsthand insights into sustainable placemaking and heritage-led regeneration.
- Daniel Mather - Consultant Urban Designer, AECOM
- Chatnam Lee - Consultant Urban Designer, AECOM
Join us for an evening of dinner, drinks & entertainment in the stylish Hilton London Tower Bridge. Delegates will enjoy a three-course dinner in a relaxed and elegant atmosphere, offering a chance to network and engage with fellow young planners in a convivial setting.
We will be serving refreshments at 09:15 am
Graeme Keen KC - Barrister, Landmark Chambers
Professor Ben Clifford - Professor of Spatial Planning and Governance, UCL
Join us for a concise and insightful session exploring key planning case law shaping today’s planning decisions. This session will highlight landmark rulings, recent judgments, and their practical implications for planners, developers, and decision-makers. Whether you're navigating appeals, drafting policies, or advising clients, this session will equip you with the legal context and confidence to make informed planning choices.
- Nick Grant - Barrister, Landmark Chambers
- Graeme Keen KC - Barrister, Landmark Chambers
Sponsored by Landmark Chambers
There is a networking break at 11:30 am.
Jenny Dunwoody - Associate, Climate & Sustainability Services, Arup
As populations age, urban planners, policymakers, and designers face the urgent challenge of creating environments that support healthy, active, and connected lives for older adults. This session explores innovative approaches to age-friendly planning, including accessible housing, walkable neighbourhoods and inclusive public spaces. Drawing on case studies and emerging research, the presentation will highlight practical strategies for embedding ageing considerations into mainstream planning and ensuring that cities remain liveable for all generations.
Professor Rose Gilroy - Professor of Ageing, Policy & Planning, Newcastle University
Join us for an engaging and immersive workshop where we explore the often-overlooked role of sensory experiences in the built environment. In this interactive session, we’ll unpack how design choices affect how we feel, think, and interact with spaces and what this means for inclusive, healthy place-making.
Expect to:
- Learn the basics of sensory design and why it matters in planning.
- Participate in hands-on and reflective exercises to explore how light, sound, texture and layout affect wellbeing.
- Work collaboratively to rethink everyday spaces through a sensory-inclusive lens.
- Walk away with practical tools to bring into your own practice — whether you're in policy, development, or design.
This session is open to all planners, whether you're familiar with sensory design or completely new to it. Let’s reimagine places that work for everyone.
- Andie Čížková - Senior Planner, Hyas Associates & Co-Lead of the Neurodiversity in Planning Network
- Emily Tanzini-Hale - Graduate Planner, WEA Planning
- Jenny Offord - Head of Meridian Water Regeneration, Enfield Council
This panel brings together experts in urban planning & placemaking to explore how the built environment shapes the health and well-being of children. From access to green spaces and safe routes to school, to air quality and inclusive play areas, the session will examine how thoughtful planning can support healthy childhoods and reduce health inequalities. Panelists will share case studies, policy insights, and practical strategies for designing cities that prioritise children’s needs—ensuring that young people can thrive in every neighbourhood.
- Sherin Francis - Associate Director, Jacobs
- Hashi Mohamed - Barrister, Landmark Chambers
Further speakers tbc
The impact of climate change on physical and mental health are well documented. Are our homes doing enough to keep us safe from climate related ill health? And how do you weigh up decisions during the planning process to meet both climate and health objectives? Drawing on findings from the Health & Housing Impact Network, this interactive session will provide best practice examples and draw out tensions and trade-offs that need to be addressed to make sure our homes promote wellbeing, while also being climate resilient and meeting net zero targets.
Hannah Gibbs - Deputy Chief Executive, Future of London
As climate change reshapes our world, its impact on mental health is becoming increasingly urgent. This panel explores how town planning can foster psychological resilience by designing spaces that promote connection, calm, and adaptability. Experts will discuss strategies like green infrastructure, inclusive community design, and mental health-informed climate adaptation. Discover how sustainable environments can support not just ecological survival, but emotional well-being too.
- Mahsa Ige - Founder of Urbanist on a Mission
- Dr Louise Edgington - Child Psychologist, ClimateEdPsych
Further speakers tbc
Lunch will be at 13:00.
The London Borough of Newham has adopted several strategies which seek to put health, happiness and wellbeing at the heart of the work the council do. This session will showcase the borough’s emerging Local Plan and its award winning ‘50 Steps to a Healthier Newham’ health and wellbeing strategy. Speakers from Newham’s Planning Policy and Public Health teams will share insights into how the authority has taken a Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach to plan-making. The session will also explore how collaborative-working has led to the development of an innovative policy – Newham’s Social Value-Health Impact Assessment.
- Naomi Pomfret - Principal Planner, London Borough of Newham
- Hafsa Elmi - Senior Strategist, Public Health, London Borough of Newham
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Amy Ingle - Senior Planner, AECOM & London Conference Committee Chair
The event closes at 15:30