Many architects and developers talk the talk but can we actually deliver diversity through design? We’re seeing some great new neighbourhoods emerging across both the UK and abroad but the commercial pressures of regeneration tend to steer us towards homogeneity. And how much can the planing process help support the creation of unplanned places, where richness and variety is often found?

‘Branded experiences’ can be delivered by disparate forms and snazzy exteriors, which are then united by equally aesthetically-driven public/private realm. But is there a nagging formulaic familiarity behind the facade? Is the suffocating sameness of developments the result of too much design?

The elephant in the room is of course the motivation to ensure the necessary financial returns on large-scale investments. Unsurprisingly then, it is the type of building, type of use and type of user that will guarantee this return, which is the going concern. The definitions of who these new urban quarters are ‘created for’ remains pre-qualified and very narrow indeed. Inclusivity is exclusive. Public becomes private.

There are growing demands of promoting diversity, with a collective ambition to move towards a non-discriminatory world. With this in mind, should there be such a thing as architecture that is orientated toward specific demographic groups?

Featuring:

Kat Hanna (chair)

Helen Arvanitakis, Design District

Anna Shapiro, AA Housing & Urbanism

Roger Zogolovitch, Solidspace

Pedro Gil, Studio Gil

amongst others….