Welcome
Welcome to UDL's new Web site. We hope you like it and find it easy to use. We have not yet added all of our videos and other resources, so please email us if you can't find something.
Who We Are
Urban Design London (UDL) is a network organisation that helps all London authorities achieve better-designed environments. We offer support, training and networking opportunities to help all involved share best practices, ask for advice, and learn. UDL is supported by London Councils, Transport for London (TfL), Design for London (DfL), and the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE).
Subscriptions
Meetings
Facts and Figures
Here is one bit of news, some info from our members meeting and a reminder of our forthcoming events.
Hope it's of use!
Bit of News:
CLG have just announced new 'Regional Spatial Strategy and Local Development Framework Core Output Indicators' - (Update 2/2008) These include new housing meeting the Building for Life standard as one of only 6 housing indicators. CLGs description of the indicator is attached.
As you may have noticed UDL has been supporting the use of Building for Life for some time now. We have already run 2 workshops on it, and have another planned for Jan 08. But this change to core indicators really puts the tool centre stage.
I expect BfL support from CABE is going to be stretched really thinly now, but we are in a good position to respond to any help you want because to a certain extent we can arrange and manage BfL training for you ourselves.
I am due to meet CABE next week to discuss how together we can support any Borough who wants to adopt and use the tool. So please TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT AS SOON AS YOU CAN so we can try and plan and deliver support.
Update UDL Members Meeting, 15.07.08
We had a good UDL users meeting on 15 July. We discussed ideas for a new design advice service that would run surgeries Boroughs could bring schemes to, how we manage our subs, how to get more highway people involved, and what our next 3 years of training should look like - oh yes, and arrangements for a UDL party after the summer. You can read notes of the meeting (attached). But in short it was suggested that:
- New Design Advice Surgeries could be really useful and compliment existing staff expertise and Design Review Panels .
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Subsciptions should stay as they are - (20 takers this year so far) We should not lower the rate or offer different subscription levels.
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We should use Champions and officers to help get highways people involved - we should also use TfL's backing to help get them to take us seriously.
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We should keep our Foundation Course, Masterclass and Workshop training structure. B ut maybe make the foundation course shorter and offer a choice of 'add on' sessions.
The next events will be:
On the 10th September. Site Visit to see street improvements in the Walworth Road and the near by, exemplary, O Central housing development.
Click here for more information on the visit.
16th-19th September - Foundation Course - a 3 day introduction to urban design.
23rd September - Workshop on Design and Climate Change - another chance to hear Howard Liddle, our highest ever scoring speaker (from your feedback forms).Click here for more information on the workshop.
30th September - Masterclass on the Role of Trees in our City. Delivered in partnership with Design for London.Click here for more information on the masterclass.
7th October - Start of our once a month Foundation Course - an introduction to urban design.Click here for more information on the course.
15th October - Site Visit to Camden Arts Centre - the architect Tony Felton will give us a tour.Click here for more information on the visit.
16th October - Masterclass - The Density Debate.Click here for more information on the masterclass.
24th October - Workshop - The Building Futures Game - a way to discuss design with local communities - delivered in partnership with CABE. Click here for more information on the workshop.
To book go to www.urbanevents.org.uk.
For more information, email info@urbandesignlondon.com.
Remember places are free for people from subscribing boroughs, LDA, GLA, TfL and CABE. If you are from another organisation and wish to attend but can not pay, pleaes contact us to discuss options.
