Challenging Practice Seminar – November 2025

London | 31 October & 1 November 2025

After the remarkable success of our recent Challenging Practice seminar in Oxford, we are thrilled to bring this immersive and participatory experience to London. This two-day seminar builds on insights from our work in Antakya, Türkiye, and will explore how communities can lead post-disaster urban renewal—highlighting the social production of habitat and the safeguarding of living heritage.

As Stage A of ASF-International’s global learning initiative Challenging Practice: Essentials for the Social Production of Habitat, this event also offers participants priority access to our on-site workshop in Antakya in Spring 2026.

In Oxford, participants discovered how personal and collective heritage shape design decisions—reflecting on memories, objects, and everyday practices that connect people to place. Through collaborative exercises, they reimagined participatory design, challenged conventional approaches, and explored strategies for empowering communities to sustain their cultural and social environments.

In London, we will take these explorations further. Participants will engage in practical, scenario-based exercises and critical discussions that push the boundaries of community-driven design—asking how urban living heritage can be reactivated and sustained through post-disaster reconstruction.

Who should attend? 

This seminar is designed for students and practitioners interested in the social dynamics of urban planning, design, architecture, visual arts, public performance, or any related fields focused on cities and urban change.

What will you gain?

• Hands-on experience: Apply theory in practical exercises designed to build real-world skills in community-led design.
• Living heritage integration: Connect design with personal and collective heritage.
• Community-focused strategies: Discover approaches that promote resilience, cultural preservation, and equitable urban change.
• Engage critically: Participate in discussions that challenge assumptions and conventional practices, fostering collaborative, co-produced solutions.
• Connect and collaborate: Build meaningful networks with practitioners, students, and facilitators dedicated to participatory and inclusive design.
• Expert guidance and recognition: Benefit from ASF-UK facilitators’ mentorship and receive a certificate.
• Stage B access: Gain priority entry to Challenging Practice Stage B, the hands-on workshop in April 2026 in Antakya, Turkey, where practical interventions inspired by these insights will be implemented.

Spaces are limited – Reserve your spot today!