The case for equitable spaces

A panel of experts discussed designing sustainable and socially responsible cities around the world in a live talk hosted by Dezeen for Buro Happold.

Moderated by Dezeen’s editor Tom Ravenscroft, the talk featured Buro Happold’s Heidi Creighton, UCL Bartlett professor Priti Parikh, and Anna Marazuela Kim from The Centre for Conscious Design.

The speakers explored social value in the built environment and the role of policy and context in the design process, with a specific focus on some of the unique challenges faced by those in the UK, USA and Asia.

The conversation, entitled The Case for Equitable Space, also covered the impact of climate change on marginalised communities, sanitation infrastructure in rural and urban communities in South Asia, and the role of culture and the arts in spatial equity.

Heidi is an architect, AIA fellow and associate principal at Buro Happold. For the past 15 years, her work has focused on creating a restorative built environment that aims to deliver socially, economically and environmentally sustainable developments.

Outside of her work at Buro Happold, Heidi also serves on the AIA California Committee of the Environment, which works to combat advancing climate change and natural resource depletion.

Priti is an associate professor at the Bartlett School of Construction and Project Management in London, where she heads the university’s Engineering for International Development Centre.

Her work focuses on improving water, sanitation and energy infrastructure in slums and remote villages in south Asia, Africa and Latin America.

In addition to teaching at the Bartlett, Priti is a fellow of the Institute of Civil Engineers and a board member of Engineers Against Poverty.

The Case for Equitable Spaces took place online at 5:00 pm BST on 21 April 2021.