Public Space Academy / Keynote Lecture by Husam AlWaer

The Public Space Academy is proud to present the Keynote Lecture Series, featuring leading academics, practitioners and urban innovators working on the theory and practice of public space.

The second keynote lecturer is Dr. Husam AlWaer, an 'urbanist', with a background in architecture, urban planning and sustainability. He is currently Reader in Sustainable Urban Design at the University of Dundee, having previously researched and taught at Reading and Liverpool universities. He has worked with various UK and International governmental and corporate agencies on research, training and engagement projects. Husam’s work has had a demonstrable impact in both academia and practice. He has a focussed interest in the past and future of sustainable places, towns and cities (including the 20 minute Neighbourhoods), and in particular the development of new approaches to sustainable urbanism and the way new methodologies are facilitated and managed. Husam is an award-winning author with published work on a wide range of subjects from architecture, urbanism, sustainability, and healthy neighbourhoods to the specifics of placemaking facilitation and performance evaluation. He brings insight to research, teaching, community stakeholder engagement and professional practice at the intersection between theoretical and contemporary policy and practice. Titles include: Site and Composition: Design strategies in Architecture and Urbanism, Rethinking Masterplanning: Creating Better Places, ’Unpacking the concept of 20 Minute Neighbourhoods: disentangling ‘desired outcomes’ from the ‘means’ available for achieving them’, ‘Unhealthy Neighbourhood “Syndrome”: A Useful Label for Analysing and Providing Advice on Urban Design Decision-Making?’, and ‘Urban design as a specialised, evidence-based, coordinated educational and professional endeavour’. Husam is a member of the Urban Design Group Executive Committee, and Honorary Chief Editor of the Urban Design and Planning journal. He was invited as an Official Observer & Presenter for COP26, Glasgow.