The Joy Factor: making cities feel good again

‘The Joy Factor: making cities feel good again’ is our panel debate at the UK Real Estate Infrastructure and Investment Forum taking place this May – an annual conference which attracts over 16,000 professionals working in the built environment. We’re expecting a sellout crowd for our discussion, which brings together a stellar line up of guests to debate how city leaders can play their part in the humanising mission:

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands
Kate Josephs, Chief Executive of Sheffield City Council
Tim Heatley, founder of social impact developer Capital&Centric
Sharon Watson MBE DL, Chief Executive and Principal of the Northern School of Contemporary Dance
Professor Rosie McEachan, Director of the Born in Bradford study
Laurence Dudeney, partner and project leader at Heatherwick Studio.

Chaired by Humanise’s Abigail Scott Paul, the panel will be discussing how city leaders can be bold and visionary in shaping the kind of development people want – rather than the kind developers think we need.

Abigail says: “We’re looking forward to provoking some great conversation about how city leaders can play a more proactive role in humanising our towns and cities. We want to explore practical ways they can create confident, characterful places that people feel proud to live in.”