Place-led transformation - curated by Useful Simple Trust

13 May 2026
Buildings and Materials Stage

How can design, planning, public policy, and community engagement work together to create resilient towns, circular communities, and regenerative destinations?

This session will explore place-led transformation across urban, rural, and cultural contexts, showing how multidisciplinary collaboration with local residents, authorities, regulators, and policymakers can restore ecosystems, strengthen communities, and redefine value for the next generation.

Chair: Will Arnold, Head of Sustainable Materials at Useful Simple Trust

Speakers:
Joanna Yarrow, Chief Impact Officer at Human Nature - Community-Led Circular Neighbourhoods
Fred Labbe, Director at Expedition Engineering - Urban Resilience & Circular Planning
Rachel Sayers, Partner at Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios - Restorative Design & Culture-Led Transformation

Chair
Will Arnold
Will Arnold, Head of Sustainable Materials - Useful Simple Trust
Speaker
Fred Labbe
Fred Labbe, Director - Expedition Engineering
Joanna Yarrow
Joanna Yarrow, Chief Impact Officer - Human Nature
Rachel Sayers
Rachel Sayers, Partner - Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios