The AoU 20th Anniversary Party
Don your glad rags and join us to celebrate two decades of the Academy of Urbanism!
Date: Thursday 13 November 2025
Time: 18:00 - 22:00
Location: JTP Studios, London E1W 2AP
Dress code: Semi-formal (Think suits, dresses, and party shoes - but hold the bow ties and ball gowns!)
This year we are celebrating 20 years of learning from place at the Academy of Urbanism, and will be holding our Anniversary Party in London on Thursday 13 November, kindly hosted at JTP, a longstanding supporter of the Academy.
From the original 100 Academicians back in 2005, to a diverse network of 1,600 in 2025, the past 20 years has seen a lot of growth at the AoU. This party is an opportunity to reflect on those 20 years and their impact on great urbanism both in the UK and further afield. Whether you have been around since the beginning or joined recently, have lost contact or yet to take part, we'd love you to come and celebrate with us, and kick off the next 20 years with your energy and ideas.
Event outline
18:00 Arrival + registration
18:45 Welcome address
19:00 Ian McMillan* performs a selection of poetry from the AoU archive including a new anniversary sonnet written for the occasion
19:30 Standing dinner service
20:00 AoU 20th Anniversary address
22:00 End of event
*This will be Ian McMillan's final AoU engagement before he retires. We have loved having Ian's poetry and comedic stylings as the soundtrack to two decades at the Academy and are delighted to have him joining us for the 20th Anniversary party
The Academy of Urbanism's 20th Anniversary Party will be hosted at JTP's studios.
JTP was founded by the AoU's late Founding President John Thompson and have been supporters of the AoU for a long time.
Tickets can be booked via the Eventbrite portal below.
AoU Member discounts are listed at theaou.org/discounts#anniversary and Party Patron attendee packages are available here.
