The Urbanism Hour: Nature and the City
How nature-based solutions are delivering benefits for people and planet
The Urbanism Hours are virtual lunch time events that explore a given theme within the built environment, with two speakers and a Q&A discussion.
For April's Urbanism Hour, Duncan McLean and Kathie Pollard will join us to look at how nature-based solutions are delivering benefits for people and planet.
Duncan McLean
Duncan McLean is a Director of Landscape Architecture and Urban Design at LUC, a 300 strong multi-disciplinary environmental practice. With over 23 years’ experience Duncan is dual qualified as a Chartered Landscape Architect and 'Recognised Practitioner' in Urban Design. As such he is comfortable working at a variety of scales ranging from strategic environmental planning studies, through landscape-led masterplanning and development frameworks, to detail design and implementation projects. He provides creative, meaningful and people-focused design solutions that contribute to sustainable placemaking.
Duncan often leads LUC inputs working collaboratively as part of large multi-disciplinary teams tackling complex, challenging and multifaceted projects for clients in both the private and public sector. He has also acted as overall project lead for various prestigious large scale public realm and green infrastructure projects. His talent and expertise is validated by numerous awards including winning a multiple awards for the acclaimed Glasgow Claypits project. This project has transformed an area of Vacant and Derelict Land in North Glasgow into a multi-functional Local Nature Reserve that offers significant community health and wellbeing benefits.
Kathie Pollard
Katherine Pollard is a policymaker working in Scotland on land reform and the environment. She has experience working on strategic projects ranging from regeneration to green networks. Curious to understand how places work and learning from practice, she established the Urbanistas Edinburgh network to encourage cross-sector collaboration and has been involved with community-led initiatives in the Highlands and Lothians. She is currently completing a MSc in Real Estate and Planning.
This Urbanism Hour will be chaired by Heather Claridge, AoU Board Director and Director of Design at in Architecture & Design Scotland.
This event is virtual and will take place via Zoom. You can find the Zoom link in your booking confirmation, and a reminder will also be sent out on the morning of the event.
Thumbnail photo shows Claypits Local Nature Reserve, Great Place Urbanism Awards winner 2023