Convenor: Dr Delle Odeleye, Department of the Built Environment, Anglia Ruskin University

It has been a long process, but 'Urban Design' has now become an accepted discipline - shared by architects, planners, transport engineers, landscape designers, and other key built-environment professions and promoted by Government through CABE

• But should it become a profession in its own right - with all the related paraphernalia? And is this where the Urban Design Group's recent 'Recognised Practitioner in Urban Design' designation is leading?
• And are we now truly 'making better places' for 'sustainable communities'? or as some critics have claimed, are we building the slums of tomorrow?

Some commentators have also noted an impasse in the development of new urban design 'theory':

• Is this really the case? And if so, is this impasse reflected in practice?
• Are we adequately using the recent economic down-turn as an opportunity to take stock of the scope and reliability of urban design knowledge?
• What are the key challenges urban design still needs to overcome - in terms of knowledge and practice?

There have been calls for some time to modernise planning approaches to conservation issues. The Draft PPS15 (July 2009) aims to integrate all types of heritage and conservation assets within a single, slim line policy document - with an underpinning 'values' approach, and detailed advice moved into a supplementary 'Practice Guide'.

• Has the right balance been struck - with a fresh, rationalised approach to monitoring and wider issues, including non-designated assets? Does this represent, too broad a scope, as some critics claim on one hand - or on the other hand as others claim, a loosening of protection for the historic environment?
• And are opportunities to ensure appropriate retrofitting of historic assets - to tackle climate mitigation/adaption issues being addressed?
• Are there exemplar case studies showing the way forward for conservation--led regeneration, given the current economic climate?

Papers addressing these and other similar issues are invited

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