RIAI and AoU Conference | Ireland 2050: Balanced by Design, 25-26 March 2025
The next joint Academy of Urbanism (AoU) and Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI) conference will take place on 25 & 26 March 2025 at Dublin Castle. Speakers include Professor Xavi Matilla, Former City Architect, Barcelona; Professor Frances Ruane; Matt Cooper, Journalist; Pasi Rajala, Head of Masterplanning, City of Helsinki; Marie Hunt, IPUT; Olivia Kelly, Irish Times; and Senator Michael McDowell. You can view all speakers here.
Pre-Conference Walking Tours and Reception, Monday 24 March, Dún Laoghaire
Celebrating the Great Town Award for Dún Laoghaire by the Academy of Urbanism, we are delighted to feature guided walking tours of award-winning urban design and housing projects, outlines of future plans for the town and the Conference Reception in Dún Laoghaire from 4.00-5.30pm, on Monday 24 March.
Conference delegates will be able to experience the award-winning Coastal Mobility Walking/Cycle Route, the redevelopment of the Dún Laoghaire Baths, the historic Metals (now a linear park); the existing and planned Harbour, and the refurbished Coastguard Cottages, Myrtle Square, the Living Streets initiative and much more.
Delegates will also see many innovative housing projects such as George’s Place Housing and a living-over-the-shop refurbishment at Park House; as well as a THRIVE project reimaging two protected structures at George’s Place (currently live at Part 8 planning), and more.
All tours will be guided by the dlr County Architects’ team.
Tours can be booked here.
Conference Programme. 25 and 26 March, Dublin Castle
The listed agenda provides an outline of the programme but is subject to alterations.
Tuesday 25 March
Session 01: Vision and Potential: Leadership & Collaboration
Session 02: National Balance Imperative: Challenge & Opportunity
Session 03: Design Response
Session 04: Systemic Challenges: Response
Wednesday 26 March
Session 05: Helsinki: Vision & Masterplanning
Session 06: Development: Quality & Design
Session 07: Irish Opportunity: Neighbourhood & Housing
Session 08: Key Changes and Next Steps
View Conference programme here (last update 13 March 2025).
A limited number of student tickets are available for this event. Please email Connie cdales@theaou.org to enquire.
Conference Theme
Ireland 2050: Balanced by Design
It is clear that Ireland needs to fundamentally change the way in which we deliver critical infrastructure, as we prepare for a century of significant population expansion.
We face a set of daunting challenges including accelerating climate change and growing economic and political instability. We are also presented with opportunities in new and emerging technologies which are both exhilarating and terrifying. How we navigate this complex web of opportunity and challenge will define the kind of future we make for our children and for theirs. Crisis or Opportunity – the choice is ours for now – but not for much longer. We need a moment of inspiration to focus on these challenges and to map a set of clear, decisive actions to deal with them. This conference aims to be that moment and we invite you to be part of the conversation in Dublin Castle.
RIAI CPD Points
- You are required to manually add this CPD activity to your MyRIAI record. One hour equals one CPD Structured Point
- Reflections on these activities are no longer necessary; you will only need to provide evidence if you are selected for the CPD Audit
- If selected for the audit, you will be notified after the CPD cycle closes on 30 November