Challenging Practice Seminar – January 2027

London | 08 & 09 January 2027

Challenging Practice is back in London

Following last year’s edition, ASF-UK is bringing this immersive and participatory learning experience back to London. 

Hosted by The Bartlett Development Planning Unit (DPU), University College London, this two-day seminar builds on ASF-UK’s ongoing work in Antakya, Türkiye, exploring how communities can shape post-disaster urban recovery while protecting heritage, everyday life and local knowledge. 

 As Stage A of ASF-International’s global learning initiative, Challenging Practice: Essentials for the Social Production of Habitat, the seminar invites participants to critically reflect on how architecture, planning and design can support more community-led approaches to urban change. 

Through practical, scenario-based exercises, collaborative activities and critical discussion, participants will explore questions around living heritage, community participation and post-disaster reconstruction. The seminar provides space to question conventional approaches to practice and consider how architecture, planning and design can respond more meaningfully to the knowledge, priorities and aspirations of communities.

Who should attend? 

This seminar is designed for students, practitioners and anyone interested in the social dimensions of urban planning, architecture, design, the arts, public performance, or related fields concerned with cities and urban change.

What will you gain?

• Hands-on learning: Explore ideas through practical and scenario-based exercises rather than theory alone.
• Community-led approaches: Examine how communities can play an active role in shaping processes of recovery and urban change.
• Living heritage: Explore how memories, everyday practices and local knowledge can inform approaches to reconstruction and design.
• Critical reflection: Question conventional approaches to architecture and planning and consider alternative ways of working.
• Collaboration and exchange: Learn alongside practitioners, students and others interested in participatory and inclusive spatial practice.
• Facilitated learning: Engage with ASF-UK facilitators and receive a certificate of participation.
• A pathway into Stage B: The seminar forms Stage A of the Challenging Practice course, with Stage B taking place through the Change by Design workshop in Samandağ, Türkiye, planned for Spring 2027. Further information about Stage B will be announced soon.

Spaces are limited – apply now!