Ireland 2050: Balanced by Design
Delivering liveable and successful towns and cities... now!
Date: Tuesday 25 & Wednesday 26 March 2025 + optional pre-conference programme Monday 24 March
Time: All day
Location: Dublin Castle, Dublin
A joint event by The Academy of Urbanism and the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, supported by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
The next joint Academy of Urbanism (AoU) and Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI) conference will take place on 25 & 26 March 2025 at Dublin Castle. World-leading architects and urbanists as well as those involved in city governance will gather to explore the planning, design and delivery systems urgently required to enable Irish cities and towns to develop and thrive in the coming decades.
Moving from dialogue to delivery - critical changes needed to unleash our pent-up potential and deliver our best possible future.
It is clear that Ireland needs to fundamentally change the way in which we deliver critical infrastructure, as we prepare for a century of significant population expansion.
We face a set of daunting challenges including accelerating climate change and growing economic and political instability. We are also presented with opportunities in new and emerging technologies which are both exhilarating and terrifying. How we navigate this complex web of opportunity and challenge will define the kind of future we make for our children and for theirs. Crisis or Opportunity – the choice is ours for now – but not for much longer. We need a moment of inspiration to focus on these challenges and to map a set of clear, decisive actions to deal with them. This conference aims to be that moment and we invite you to be part of the conversation in Dublin Castle.
Programme updates will be announced via the AoU & RIAI newsletter and social media. Structured CPD points will be available to attendees.
A limited number of student tickets are available for this event. Please email Connie [email protected] from your student email address to enquire.
Programme overview
The listed agenda provides an outline of the programme but is subject to alterations.
Walking tours in Dún Laoghaire
Reception at the dlr Lexicon
Session 01: Vision and Potential: Leadership & Collaboration
Session 02: National Balance Imperative: Challenge & Opportunity
Session 03: Design Response
Session 04: Systemic Challenges: Response
Session 05: Helsinki: Vision & Masterplanning
Session 06: Development: Quality & Design
Session 07: Irish Opportunity: Neighbourhood & Housing
Session 08: Key Changes and Next Steps
*The pre-conference programming on Monday 24 March in Dún Laoghaire is not included in the standard ticket must be booked as a ticket add-on via Eventbrite. Click here for more info.
CPD
This event carries Structured CPD points. You will receive 1 point per 1 hour attended.
Key points to remember:
- You are required to manually add your CPD activities to your MyRIAI record
- Reflections on these activities are no longer necessary; you will only need to provide evidence if you are selected for the CPD Audit
- If selected for the audit, you will be notified after the CPD cycle closes on 30 November
- The updated CPD Policy is now available on the RIAI website
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