Gentrification: Urban Renewal or Social Cleansing?

When: Wednesday 21 March 18.30 – 21.00
Where: BDP 16 Brewhouse Yard, London EC1V 4LJ

BDP’s London studio is hosting a debate on the subject of gentrification and the increasing number of protests around the country over the sale of council stock to the private sector.  For many regeneration means the eviction of thousands of long-term residents and the break-up of communities, replacing social housing with unaffordable rents. 

Austin Williams, Future Cities Project and senior lecturer at Kingston School of Art, will chair the event and speakers will include our planning director Anna Sinnott alongside Dave Hill (founder On-London), Denis Russell (building contractor and ex-history teacher), Geraldine Dening (founder Architects for Social Housing), Charlotte Skene Catling (director Skene Catling de la Peña) and Mick Owens (commercial director Bow Arts Trust and owner London Urban Visits).  They will explore whether regeneration is necessary and if evictions are therefore inevitable or whether this becomes an attack on society’s poorest and most vulnerable.

This informal lively event is open to all, free to attend and refreshments will be provided. Places must be booked by emailing julianne.mcatarsney@bdp.com