Academy of Urbanism

Academy of Urbanism
Name	Academy of Urbanism
Type	Learned society
Founded	2007
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Region	Europe
Fields	Urbanism, Urban design, Planning

Contents

Academy of Urbanism is a pan-European learned society and network of practitioners, scholars, and institutions devoted to urban design, place-making, and city-making. It brings together figures from across United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Ireland and beyond, linking professionals associated with University College London, Bartlett School of Architecture, Royal Academy of Arts, Glasgow School of Art, Delft University of Technology, Sciences Po, Politecnico di Milano, Technical University of Munich, KU Leuven, ETH Zurich, Yale School of Architecture and other institutions. The organisation acts as a forum connecting practitioners associated with CABE, RIBA, RTPI, AIA, ISOCARP, UN-Habitat and funding bodies such as Arts Council England, European Commission, National Lottery and charitable trusts.

History

The organisation emerged from networks active in the late 20th and early 21st centuries that included members involved with projects like Festival of Britain, Glasgow Garden Festival, European Spatial Development Perspective and initiatives linked to London Docklands Development Corporation, Barcelona Olympic Games, Bilbao Guggenheim Museum and Emscher Park regeneration. Early founders and influential figures were practitioners who had worked with entities such as Greater London Authority, Civic Trust, Colin Buchanan, Jane Jacobs, Jan Gehl, Richard Rogers and policy platforms tied to World Bank urban programs. The Academy formalised in the 2000s to respond to debates influenced by events like the Global Financial Crisis of 2007–2008, the 2008 European Capital of Culture programmes, and the rise of city networks such as C40 Cities and Eurocities.

Membership comprises elected fellows, associate members, and honorary members drawn from sectors represented by Royal Town Planning Institute, Landscape Institute, Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation, Historic England, National Trust (United Kingdom), English Heritage, Historic Scotland, and international bodies like ICOMOS, UNESCO, OECD and European Investment Bank. Governing structures mirror charitable trusts and professional institutes with a board that has included individuals who have held office in Greater London Authority, Manchester City Council, Bristol City Council, Edinburgh City Council, Copenhagen Municipality, Rotterdam Municipality, Barcelona City Council and other municipal administrations. Fellowship elections draw from candidates active in practices linked to Foster + Partners, Zaha Hadid Architects, Arup Group, Buro Happold, Taylor Wimpey, SOM, Perkins and Will, HOK, MVRDV and academic appointments at University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, University of Edinburgh and London School of Economics.

The Academy organises annual congresses, workshops, and charrettes that convene experts associated with events such as Biennale Architettura, Venice Biennale, MIPIM, World Urban Forum, Habitat III, Urban Age Conference and city festivals like Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Programmes include place audits, design reviews, and advisory visits to towns involved in initiatives like New Towns Act 1946-inspired developments, brownfield regeneration schemes such as King's Cross, London, waterfront projects like Marina Bay, and transit-oriented projects linked to Crossrail, High Speed 2, Eurostar and TGV. Partnerships have been formed with foundations and trusts including Wellcome Trust, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Barclays, Skanska, National Grid and philanthropic entities active in urban philanthropy such as Packard Foundation and Ford Foundation.

The Academy's influence is acknowledged by city administrations and organisations like European Commission, Council of Europe, UN-Habitat and OECD while critics draw on debates sparked by commentators associated with The Guardian, Financial Times, The Economist, Architectural Review and academics from Goldsmiths, University of London and School of Oriental and African Studies. Critiques focus on perceived tensions between large practices like Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Arup, AECOM and grassroots movements connected to Transition Towns, Right to the City, Slow Food and Friends of the Earth over issues visible in projects in London, Glasgow, Manchester, Milan and Athens. Supporters argue the Academy contributes to dialogues involving mayors and professional networks such as C40 Cities, ICLEI, Eurocities and philanthropic partners including Bloomberg Philanthropies.

Category:Learned societies