In November 2025 UP Projects and Sheppard Robson Architects hosted a round table on 'Planning for Public Art', exploring the important role that planning professionals play in advocating for more arts and culture in the design of our neighbourhoods.
Bringing together voices from across planning, community engagement, public art, and development, the invite only round table event was moderated by placemaking professional and cultural strategist, Emma Wilcox.
Weβre now pleased to share the write-up from the discussion that highlights the power struggles at play, the policy gaps holding back more ambitious cultural thinking, and the tools, levers, and real-world examples that can help support more ambitious public art within place shaping.
Thank you to all the participants who took part in the discussion and shared their knowledge and experiences:
- Professor Samer Bagaeen, Technical Director in Town Planning & Stakeholder Capability at Arcadis
- Stephen R.G. Bennett , Artist & Co-Head of UK Policy Lab
- Amma Busia, Senior Planning Officer, Enfield Council
- Meabh Butler, Public Art Officer, Dublin City Council
- Jo Cowan, Cultural Development Manager, Ebbsfleet Development Corporation
- Grace Grannis, Principal Planning Engagement Officer, Richmond and Wandsworth Council
- Moira Lascelles, Executive Director & Head of Partnerships, UP Projects
- Rachel Roe, Making Space for Culture Manager, Greater London Authority
- Charles Scott, Associate Director, Sheppard Robson
- Emma Underhill, Founder and Artistic Director of UP Projects
- Rikki Weir, Chartered Town Planner
- Emma Wilcox, Placemaking Professional and Cultural Strategist