about the lecture series
Welcome to the Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA) lecture series for professionals, comprising a series of Continuing Professional Development (CPD). The second season was held in collaboration with the Commonwealth Association of Planners (CAP), the Commonwealth Engineers Council (CEC) and the Commonwealth Heritage Forum (CHF).
The aim of the programme is to facilitate knowledge exchange between member organisations and member firms, to help promote mutual understanding and greater awareness of issues related to climate change and rapid urbanisation together with the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While targeted at qualified built environment professionals, we hope that the programme will be of interest to policymakers, city leaders and students alike.
season two comprised the following five titles:
- The Capacity Gap
This session considered the critical capacity gaps identified in the Survey of the Built Environment Professionals in the Commonwealth and how we might work together to address the underlying issues. The live recording of the session is available here.
- The Conservation Challenge
This session reviewed diverse international examples of heritage-led regeneration, and drew together the lessons learned and developed recommendations for future action across the Commonwealth. The live recording of the session is available here.
- The Challenge of Climate Change
This session considered what needs to be done to reduce the climate impact of infrastructure systems, who needs to do it and what the consequences will be if we fail. The live recording of the session is available here.
- The Challenge of Inequality
This session explored the deep-rooted spatial inequalities that exist in many cities and city regions, together with recommendations to address them in order to achieve inclusive outcomes. The live recording of the session is available here.
- The Impact of COVID-19
This session considered the impacts of COVID-19 on the built environment and how built environment professionals can respond to the calls for us to ‘build back better’. The live recording of the session is available here.
about season two
Season two was developed to reflect on a range of key issues in the run up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Rwanda in June. Each session was held live on Zoom and comprised a short provocation in the form of a short presentation followed by a panel discussion with engagement from an external expert. Ample time was given for Q&A. The recordings of each session and additional resources can be found by clicking on the links above.
season one comprised the following seven titles:
- Introduction to the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, Mina Hasman, SOM
Provides an overview of the SDGs together with other related international agreements and describes the importance of the Goals for Built Environment Professionals. - Planning for Rapid Urbanisation, Ben Bolgar, The Prince’s Foundation
Outlines a framework for use in secondary cities which are experiencing rapid growth, but which may have little or no access to professional planning expertise. - Planned City Extensions, Alfredo Carballo, Allies and Morrison
Provides a reminder of key master-planning and urban design principles such as: site analysis, micro-climate design, density, mixed use, walkability etc. - Resilient Infrastructure, Ian Carradice, Arup
Explains the context, relevance and drivers to develop resilient infrastructure by adopting an integrated design approach and considering planetary solutions to address climate related challenges. - Climate Responsive Design, Peter Clegg, Isabel Sandeman and Rachel Sayers from FCB Studios, and Rafiq Azzam from Shatotto
This lecture will be delivered in two parts with part one entitled ‘A Manifesto for delivering Climate Responsive Design’, and part two entitled ‘Collaborating for Sustainable Development’. - Heritage-led Regeneration, Geoff Rich, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
Describes the value of heritage led regeneration in terms of the reuse of existing buildings, and the potential to generate social and economic value. - Sustainable Outcomes, Gary Clark, HOK
Provides a practical explanation of the outcomes that need to be delivered if we are to achieve development which is sustainable. Includes meaningful, measurable targets with associated metrics. Upon conclusion of the lecture, Gary will be joined in conversation with Martina Otto, Head of the Cities Unit at the UN Environment Programme and Head of Secretariat at the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction.
about season one
Season 1 was curated to help explain the urgency underpinning the need for sustainable development, the policy environment driving change at national level together with a variety of ways in which built environment professionals can contribute in their daily work. Each lecture was filmed by its author with accompanying commentary and can be downloaded in PDF form for local delivery. All material is provided on an open-source basis and is free to use.
Season 1 aims to help participants to better understand, engage with and contribute to the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and be better equipped to apply the principles of sustainable development at city and building scale. The authors recognise that while the principles of sustainable development may be universal, their application will vary, depending on variables such as culture and climate. The reader is therefore invited to consider how the principles outlined in each lecture might apply to their local circumstances and conditions.
join us
The CAA welcomes feedback together with suggestions for future topics and would be pleased to hear from subject matter experts from around the Commonwealth who may be interested in contributing future material. For this or any other enquiry, please contact: admin@comarchitect.org.
acknowledgements
The CAA would like to extend its thanks to all the contributors for their support in the creation of this programme. The CAA welcomes feedback together with suggestions for future topics and would be pleased to hear from subject matter experts from around the Commonwealth who may be interested in contributing future material.
