Communities for a Changing Population 2019
Future-proof, diverse, integrated communities for changing demographics
November 12th 2019 – Saracen House, Glasgow

Scotland is committed to creating healthier, more sustainable, integrated and diverse communities and there is significant work to be done in order to meet both present and future needs. To achieve better outcomes, given that we have changing demographics and an ageing population, it will fall on everyone working within the placemaking sector and beyond, to address this challenge when improving existing or designing new homes and communities.
The built environment must become more responsive to the changing needs within communities such as the urgent lack of housing options for younger and older people, recognise the changing demographics that will shape Scotland in the future, and address the economic and social needs of communities and varied social groups . In order to deliver innovative solutions to our current and future problems, we need to develop new approaches. Interest is growing within communities and across the third and public sectors for alternative approaches to housing delivery and for the creation of integrated communities which allow diversity to flourish. Co-housing, self-build and modular construction constitute a large percentage of housing elsewhere in Europe and have the potential to create a positive impact on the social, environmental, cultural and economic wellbeing of communities here in Scotland.
This conference will explore how a greater focus on innovative, sustainable and community-led planning can support both the development and future-proofing of communities, as well as seeking to influence changes in public policy, by an evolutionary approach to placemaking and the future of Scottish society.
The conference also represents a unique forum for knowledge exchange, open discussion and cross-sector engagement while presenting an opportunity for delegates to engage with buyers and suppliers.
A copy of the agenda for the event follows below and will be updated regularly. If you have any queries regarding the event please contact us via events@impactengagement.co.uk.
Event Agenda
10:10 Opening remarks from the Chair
10:20 Session 1 – Changing demographics and the future implications for communities
Future population projections for Scotland – Bruce Whyte, Public Health Programme Manager, Glasgow Centre for Population Health
How a changing population is changing the Built Environment
Understanding and implementing the social, economic and cultural needs of communities – Phil Prentice, Chief Executive, Scotland’s Towns Partnership
The importance of planning and community engagement in future proofing Scotland’s built environment – Craig McLaren, Scotland Director, RTPI
Q&A
11:50 Break
12:10 Session 2 – Social innovation and Placemaking
Developments for co-housing and integrated communities – Petra Biberbach, Chief Executive, PAS
Delivering a sense of community in culturally diverse inner city areas – Margaret Fraser, Regeneration Manager, ng homes
Designing lifetime homes and communities; creating a built environment that is accessible and inclusive – Kirstin Taylor, Director, LDA Design
The role of smart building design
Social innovation systems for the built environment – Prof. Branka Dimitrijevic, Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange, Department of Architecture, University of Strathclyde
Q&A
13:40 Closing remarks from the chair
13:50 Networking lunch
15:00 Close
Delegate places for this event are a limited and these will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis, so we do recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.
You can book your place by clicking here, or using the button below.
If you are interested in sponsorship or exhibition opportunities, please contact us at events@impactengagement.co.uk.