Building up: Planning for tall structures (Reading)

Planning for Tall Buildings is an insightful and practical session designed for anyone involved in shaping the future of our urban skylines. 

As cities continue to grow and land becomes more limited, tall buildings are playing an increasingly important role in meeting housing, commercial, and environmental needs. This event explores how to plan these structures thoughtfully, responsibly, and in ways that benefit the wider community.

This event is ideal for planning professionals, architects, local authority teams, developers, and anyone interested in how tall buildings can be integrated thoughtfully into urban areas.

Join us for a forward-thinking discussion about how to plan tall buildings that are not only visually striking, but also sustainable, inclusive, and great places to live, work, and visit.

What to expect:

We’ll look at what makes a tall building successful, not just from an architectural perspective, but in terms of sustainability, design quality, liveability, and local impact. Through expert discussion and real-world examples, we’ll unpack the opportunities and challenges that come with building upwards.

What you'll gain:

At this session, you’ll learn about:

• Key planning principles for tall buildings
• How height, density, and design choices influence a neighbourhoods
• Approaches to ensuring tall buildings contribute positively to the skyline
• Environmental considerations, including wind, daylight, and energy performance
• Community engagement and how to balance local priorities with city-wide needs
• Best practice examples from recent tall building developments

This event is eligible for up to 3 hours of CPD .

Getting to the venue

By train: Reading Train station is about 15 minute walk away from the venue

By taxi: Taxis can drop you at the venue.

Before you set off, it's worth checking for any updates – e.g. ongoing roadworks in the area that might affect your journey.