Will Citizen Engagement Speed Up & Improve The Planning Process?; Sponsored by VU.CITY

With momentum gathering to improve the planning process, in both speed and outcomes, and a greater emphasis placed on citizen engagement, many share the opinion that the two are incongruous.

Will such a system lead to longer development timelines and abortive costs? This expert panel will discuss how greater citizen engagement and collaboration can work, not only with speeding up the process and improving revenue, but also how a more transparent and collaborative planning system can de-risk projects and help deliver the best possible schemes.

This session will further explore the role of 3D technology in increasing development certainty by providing a framework to facilitate greater citizen involvement and speed up planning through shared visual experience.

Speakers for this event include:

Pam Alexander OBE,
Chair

Jason Hawthorne,
Chief Product Officer

Chloe Clay,
Urban Design Lead

Euan Mills,
Digital Transformation Manager

We will be bringing together a number of excellent expert speakers to discuss this topic including:

Commonplace – Pam Alexander OBE, Chair

Pam is a businesswoman and former senior civil servant specialising in housing and economic regeneration in England. She chairs a digital community engagement company, Commonplace, and is a non-executive Director of the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) and of the Connected Places Catapult.

VU.CITY – Jason Hawthorne, Chief Product Officer

Jason Hawthorne is the Chief Digital Officer and one of the founding Directors of the pioneering smart city platform, VUCITY. VU.CITY is a 3D fully interactive digital platform that helps people create, refine, share and understand the story of a development to make better planning decisions, faster. Jason was formerly Managing Director of Wagstaff, a leading PropTech agency. Wagstaff has since merged with VU.CITY as VU.CITY+ and continues to provide specialist VR and AR technology and ZTV’s for real world application. His 25 years’ experience of property and technology is helping shape the transformation of planning and design through the latest digital technology.

Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames – Chloe Clay, Urban Design Lead

Chloë’s background in architecture and urban design has developed her interest in the spaces and activities between buildings. She has wide ranging experience in both public and private sectors working on developments in the Middle East and UK. Currently leading the public realm and development team within the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, her approach to development and regeneration alongside aspirations to work for local interests are guiding principles to shape growth opportunities in this unique historic environment.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government – Euan Mills, Digital Transformation Manager

Euan Mills is the Digital Transformation Manager at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government where he co-leads a programme of work looking at how new technology can help us plan cities better. Prior to this he spent 16 years working in the built environment industry. Six of these were spent providing design advice to the Mayor of London and his planning team, contributing towards a number of key planning policy and research documents and negotiating major development proposals on behalf of the Mayor. Prior to his time at City Hall he worked as an urban designer at Urban Initiatives, developing masterplans and design codes; and East Architects working on public realm and regeneration strategies. He also set up the Chatsworth Road Neighbourhood Forum and is a visiting lecturer at a number of universities, and has written articles and spoken at conferences on the impact of technology on cities.

Our online conferences will merge our face-to-face conferences with a virtual platform – providing networking opportunities, exceptional panel discussions and debates, speaker presentations and an exhibition hall.

Here’s a little video highlighting what to expect…

And here’s a bit more information of key areas of our online events…

You’ll receive unique log-in details to join our online event via computer or phone – and you’ll be greeted with an easy navigation tool. You’ll be able to navigate to:

Main Stage

Where our ‘Programme’ will take place with excellent speakers and content. You’ll be able to get involved, asking questions and taking part in live polls.

Networking Area

Just like a real conference you’ll be able to meet and connect with new people in our forum. You can directly request to chat with someone or you can enter our ‘speed networking’ area to meet numerous new people within the industry. Get your elevator pitch ready!

Sponsor / Exhibitor Area

Meet our partners and sponsors – view what they’re all about, video chat with them and download their literature and product information.