This event forms part of RTPI Online series 2021, brought to you by the Kent Young Planners Network of the South East region
The Thames Estuary is South East England’s biggest growth opportunity. However, the scale and diversity of the area presents a complex challenge for planners and developers. Barton Willmore will provide an overview of existing and proposed projects within the Thames Estuary, before answering questions based on their experience. The long-term nature of these projects will influence the future professional and personal lives of young planners in the South East of England. It is therefore important for young planners to understand the challenges of strategic development in this location and how positive planning and place-making can help to overcome these challenges.
Confirmed speaker:
Chair: Molly How, Planner, Barton Willmore
Molly is the co-chair of the Kent Young Planner's Network. She is a Planner for Barton Willmore, based in West Malling. Previously she has worked for a Local Authority, primarily as consultee on National Park planning applications. She holds a Master of Science (MSc) in Spatial Planning from University College London and has a particular interest in urban regeneration projects. Outside of work Molly enjoys horse riding, travelling and music.
Joshua Mellor MRTPI, Planning Associate, Barton Willmore
Josh is currently a Planning Associate at Barton Willmore. He has a Masters of Science in Development Planning from the University of Reading. Josh’s planning career began in the renewable energy sector, before he joined Barton Willmore as a Senior Planner in 2016. He has experience on a wide variety of projects across the South East, including large-scale brownfield regeneration, strategic land promotion and development management. In his role at Barton Willmore, Josh is also a Corporate Member of the Kent Developers Group, Design South East and Locate Kent.
Professor Samer Bagaeen FRICS MRTPI, University of Kent
Professor Samer Bagaeen was elected to Brighton and Hove City Council in May 2019. He is a Chartered Town Planner, a Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He was invited into a Distinguished Fellowship of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in 2012. Samer was appointed as a Design Council Expert in April 2021.
Samer manages Spark 5, Cultural Co-location, as part of the Creative Estuary project managed by the University of Kent. In addition to sitting on the Local Outbreak Emergency Board for Brighton & Hove and the city’s Health and Wellbeing Board, Samer sat on the Climate Assembly Advisory Board and sits on the Infrastructure Panel at the Greater Brighton Economic Board. He is a member of the Sussex Hydrogen Group.Samer joined the University of Kent as Professor of Planning & Resilient Systems in Canterbury in April 2018 in a strategic advisory role. During this time, he supported the RICS in a thought leadership role and currently delivers the Institution’s corporate training on sustainability.
As Associate Director for City Relationships with 100 Resilient Cities (Rockefeller Foundation), Samer delivered cross-cutting urban resilience strategies in the global network.Samer served as a Trustee of the Town and Country Planning Association (2015-2020) and as a Trustee of the RTPI (2016-2017). He has served on the RTPI General Assembly since 2012.
The link to the webinar will be sent out a day before the event.
