UDG: A social start to 2026
The first Urban Design Group event of 2026 was a lively and welcoming evening in Birmingham, bringing together planners, designers, and students at The Good Intent in the Great Western Arcade. Hosted by Hannah Smart, Chair of the Urban Design Group and Co-Director at edge, it provided a relaxed opportunity to meet people in person, share experiences, and start the year on a positive note. It felt very much like an ice-breaking evening: social, open and easy, where people could connect, talk honestly about practice, and reflect on the future of the profession. As part of the edge team, it was good to be there and be part of those conversations.
Urban Design Socials takes place across the UK as a relaxed, conversation-led gathering for anyone interested in towns, cities, and urban design. They are less about formal talks and more about sharing experiences, comparing approaches and building networks with people who understand the everyday realities of practice. Over time, they’ve become informal spaces for learning, where people swap stories, test ideas, and learn from each other. From our experience, that openness is what makes them work.
When the Urban Design Group first brought a Social to Birmingham in November 2025, the response made it clear how much the West Midlands needed this kind of open, low-pressure space. People welcomed the chance to simply turn up, speak freely and meet a wide range of practitioners, while still gaining CPD. From our perspective at edge, it felt like something Birmingham had been missing. As a city that draws teams from across the UK through its headquarters and regional offices, the mix of people in the room reflected that wider professional landscape.
The latest event was built on that momentum. Once again, people came together to reflect on the year just gone and to make sure that a dry January felt social, filling it with new conversations and connections. We heard street designers talk about their approach to design and how it differs from more traditional urban design perspectives. It was interesting to hear how their experience shaped the way they spoke about street layout challenges and possible solutions.
One conversation gathered around a simple, fold-out business card that doubled as a miniature portfolio and an instant talking point, opening a deeper discussion about practice and projects. Nearby, we spoke with colleagues from local councils who were keen to catch up on industry trends, understand what consultants are seeing on the ground, and take those insights back into their own work.
The Urban Design Group journal had been launched just a week before, making it a natural point of interest during the evening. Having copies on the tables during the Social gave everyone a chance to browse and spark conversations. For us at edge, it was a great way to share our involvement in the publication, talk about the work we’ve been doing, and hear directly from others about what inspires them and how they see our practice!
Evenings like this highlight the value of informal spaces for conversation and connection within the profession. Looking ahead, new ways of supporting younger urban designers are already taking shape within UDG, including a network being set up by our very own Isabelle Metcalfe from edge, introducing young practitioners to the wider urban design community. Isabelle is a Recognised Practitioner in Urban Design (RP) by the Urban Design Group, reflecting her commitment to thoughtful placemaking and collaborative design.
Stay tuned as the UDG continues to grow!
Written by Neha
