Simon Campbell

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Speaking

on masterplanning

I have been talking at Universities and Embassies throughout Europe trying to convince anyone who will listen that masterplanning doesn’t work. OK, that's a shocker, but what I am trying to do is make us all think about the people rather than just the buildings and the space between them.

If you want a presentation that will engage communities, academics and built environment professionals, this one's for you. You will also find out why there is a bus at the top of this article!

Its funny, controversial, but I don't just complain about it, I give my opinion how to make it better!!! Here is an overview of 'Beyond Masterplanning"...

• Beyond Masterplanning views masterplans, as currently conceived and implemented, to be in direct contravention of the incremental urban processes that created our most successful places
• Beyond Masterplanning asks why architects / urban designers / masterplanners have been ordained to lead the masterplanning process
• Beyond Masterplanning asserts that effective political management, community ‘ownership’ and communication throughout the placemaking process are as (or perhaps more?) important than technical disciplines to quality urban development
• Beyond Masterplanning posits that masterplanning as currently practiced is inevitably flawed because it is based on a thin or non-existent understanding of human behaviour
• Beyond Masterplanning contends that small and medium sized firms are more important to creating quality urban places than large corporations, big name retailers and property developers
• Beyond Masterplanning shows how we can rebalance urban change so it fully considers the economic, social and environmental qualities of place and is therefore inclusive, deliverable and sustainable

If you are interested in booking me for a talk, please fill in the contact form.