Welcome to June!
An overview of what's coming up at the AoU this June 2026
Welcome to June 2026 at the Academy of Urbanism. The month ahead holds a hefty dose of Urbanism Awards assessment visits across the UK and Ireland, great CPD opportunities for Academicians, Young Urbanists and Group Members. Alongside these, we've got new instalments of Authors of Urbanism in Glasgow and the YU Book Club in London. And a group of our Young Urbanists are off to Poland on two wheels!
Wednesday 3 June 2026, Glasgow
Authors of Urbanism: The Mack with Dr Robyne Calvert
For the fourth instalment in the Authors of Urbanism event series - hosted by Collective Architecture - we'll be joined by Cultural Historian Dr Robyne Calvert, who'll share insights from her recent book The Mack: Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the Glasgow School of Art (Yale University Press, 2024).
Her research presents the updated story of 'The Mack', incorporating for the first time the history of the building during the post-Mackintosh era up to the present day, including the May 2014 fire, reconstruction efforts, and the devastating fire of 2018 that destroyed most of the building. The book updates knowledge of the building gleaned from the reconstruction process, and addresses controversies surrounding the second fire, examining issues around fire management that have received much public scrutiny.
Thursday 4 June 2026, Lincolnshire
Great Small Town / City Assessment visit: Gainsborough
The first of the Town / Small City assessment visits in this year's Urbanism Awards programme will explore Gainsborough, hosted by West Lindsey District Council.
"Gainsborough is a compelling regeneration success story, reversing decades of decline through determined leadership, coherent strategy, vibrant waterfront renewal, and forward-thinking economic planning including proximity to the pioneering STEP Fusion facility."
Assessment visit attendance is open to Academicians, Young Urbanists, and Group Members only
Friday 5 June 2026, Derbyshire
Great Small Town / City Assessment visit: Ashbourne
The second of the Town / Small City assessment visits in this year's Urbanism Awards programme will explore Ashbourne, hosted by the Ashbourne Town Team.
"Ashbourne is a remarkable post-Covid revival driven by exemplary multi-stakeholder partnership, substantial Levelling Up funding, and bold traffic and town centre improvements that showcase effective small-town governance."
Assessment visit attendance is open to Academicians, Young Urbanists, and Group Members only
Friday 12 to Monday 15 June, Poland
Young Urbanist Cycle Trip: Kraków and Katowice
10 years since the first international YU Cycle Trip, the eighth edition will take to Kraków and Katowice in Poland to explore both cities' urbanism and street design, and the country's transport infrastructure.
The group of 12 will start in Kraków, spending Friday in the city, meeting with local urbanists, then will cycle the 90-odd kilometres to Katowice on Saturday. On Sunday and Monday morning, the group will get to know the new city and its surroundings, before heading home.
Tuesday 23 June 2026, Trafford
Great Streets + Spaces assessment visit: Stretford Kingsway
The second of the Streets + Spaces assessment visits in this year's Urbanism Awards programme will explore Stretford Kingsway, hosted by CIVIC.
"Stretford Kingsway is an outstanding active travel scheme that converted a hostile dual carriageway into a welcoming, walkable gateway - creating genuine place where none existed before."
Assessment visit attendance is open to Academicians, Young Urbanists, and Group Members only
Wednesday 24 June 2026, Manchester
Great Neighbourhood assessment visit: NOMA
The first of the Neighbourhood assessment visits in this year's Urbanism Awards programme will explore NOMA in Manchester, hosted by Federated Hermes.
"NOMA is a newly regenerated Manchester neighbourhood successfully weaving residential, heritage and diverse activities together, with an innovative focus on measuring social value in an institutionally backed, mixed-use development."
Assessment visit attendance is open to Academicians, Young Urbanists, and Group Members only
Wednesday 24 June 2026, London
YU London Book Club: High-Rise by J.G. Ballard
Continuing an emerging literary theme in the AoU's programming, the Young Urbanists in London will get together again this month for another Book Club, meeting to discuss J.G. Ballard's High-Rise.
"When a class war erupts inside a luxurious apartment block, modern elevators become violent battlegrounds and cocktail parties degenerate into marauding attacks on 'enemy' floors. In this visionary tale, human society slips into violent reverse as once-peaceful residents, driven by primal urges, re-create a world ruled by the laws of the jungle."
Open to Young Urbanists only
Friday 26 June 2026, online
The Urbanism Hour: Decarbonising the Suburbs
For the last Urbanism Hour before the summer, Academician and Foundation for Integrated Transport Fellow Jonathan Bray will join us to present findings from his Decarbonising Suburban Transport: Ways of thinking and acting report.
The need to decarbonise how we live is well known, with surface transport the UK's highest emitting sector. If we are genuine about decarbonisation, then we need to decarbonise all transport, including in the suburbs, which is where most people live. Decarbonising the suburbs brings more than environmental benefits; it helps create neighbourhoods that are safer, cleaner and more attractive, with better connections to the places people need every day. It also supports local shops and services, making communities richer and more cohesive.
Monday 29 June 2026, Co Tipperary
Great Neighbourhood assessment visit: Cloughjordan Ecovillage
The second of the Neighbourhood assessment visits in this year's Urbanism Awards programme will explore Cloughjordan Ecovillage, hosted by Sustainable Projects Ireland Ltd (SPIL).
"Cloughjordan Ecovillage is a pioneering Irish co-housing community offering a bold, bottom-up model of sustainable, collaboratively designed living that demonstrates an inspiring and replicable alternative to conventional residential development."
Assessment visit attendance is open to Academicians, Young Urbanists, and Group Members only
Tuesday 30 June 2026, Scotland
Great Small Town / City Assessment visit: Perth
The last of the Town / Small City assessment visits in this year's Urbanism Awards programme will explore Perth, hosted by Perth & Kinross Council.
"Perth is a resilient Scottish city successfully blending sustainability ambitions, circular economy principles, and a thriving Love Local brand to attract tourism and entrepreneurship despite significant economic headwinds."
Assessment visit attendance is open to Academicians, Young Urbanists, and Group Members only
