Historic cities and the importance of good design

Dr. Nikolaos Karydis, a qualified architect and Director of the MSc in Architectural Conservation at the School of Architecture, University of Kent,  will address us on the planned extension of historic cities and the importance of good design practice in this process,  so topical for the citizens of Canterbury.

Dr Karydis has given this brief:

‘How can we extend historic towns without damaging their natural setting and heritage? Good design that adapts to existing urban character, topography and infrastructure plays a key role in this. Drawing on the author’s experience as urban designer and Senior Lecturer in the School of Architecture, Design and Planning at the University of Kent, this lecture explores the key principles behind contextual approaches to urban design. We will discuss why studying the structure of historic cities and working with local communities hold the key to successful design. Highlighting the problems of current, building-oriented design practices, we will discover the advantages of focusing instead on creating public spaces that entangle harmoniously with the existing urban environment. By providing a framework for assessing future development proposals, this lecture hopes to encourage design practices that enhance, rather than demean, the unique historic towns of Kent’.