Speakers

Dr Julie Futcher is a chartered architect, researcher, and independent urban climate consultant whose work explores the environmental performance of spatial form and how the configuration of cities influences local climate conditions. Her research focuses on the direct, indirect, and dynamic influence of urban morphology on energy exchanges within densely built urban landscapes.
Working at the intersection of architecture, urban climatology, and environmental design, she examines how built form regulates solar access, airflow, heat exchange, and environmental exposure across multiple spatial scales, from individual buildings and street canyons to neighbourhoods and entire cities. A central focus of her work is translating complex urban climate science into forms that can inform design practice, planning decisions, and urban governance.
She is the co-founder of the Urban Climate Walk, an experimental teaching and engagement methodology established in 2014 that explores urban climate processes through direct observation of the city. The walks have been delivered in cities worldwide and are used by universities, professional organisations, and public institutions to build climate literacy across the built environment sector.
Alongside consultancy and teaching, Julie contributes to research collaborations and professional initiatives aimed at embedding climate-responsive thinking into architecture, urban design, and planning practice.