Urban Design and Research: My passion is for an urbanism that fosters positve urban life, encompassing form, process, and culture. I have a keen understanding of the issues involved in urban development, and a special interest in informal urbanism.
Neighbourhood Planning:
I have a strong belief that everyone should have the opportunity to engage in shaping their own environments, and that such a process involving collective design can be positively transformative for all those involved. For to be a designer is to take responsibility, to understand your place in the world and your possibilities within it.
Community Engagement: I am establishing a practice that combines these two passions; design and participation, to make a positive difference in our shared urban environment. I have eight years of experience of community engagement in a variety of fields; Green Space regeneration in the UK, Community Development in South Africa.
Work Experience
Urban Designer
Kamideas, Seville, Spain. 2012Internship funded by Leonardo da Vinci programme
- Research and investigation of the urban design issues
- Design of proposals for temporary interventions and long term planning
Project Officer
Sheffield City Council, Parks and Countryside Service. 2008 – 2010
Engaging the public in Green Space regeneration projects
- Organisation of consultation process; events, meetings, materials
- Liaising between community groups and professionals
- Capacity building for community groups
- Monitoring and reporting
Programme Manager
KwaZulu-Natal College, Durban, South Africa. 2002 – 2007
Managing and facilitating a training course for community workers
- Management of residential facilities for 30-40 adults
- Leadership of trainee staff
- Facilitation of adult training course
- Development of curriculum and design of training materials
Qualifications
MA Urban Design
University of Sheffield 2010 – 2011
BA (Hons) Architecture
University of Lincoln 1997 – 2001