Inspired by the RSA’s origin in an enlightenment coffeehouse over 260 years ago, our new Northern Coffeehouse series offers an interactive space to share ideas for social change.
We’re joined by Arthur Acheson FRSA, who is based on the Wirral, and says: "I have tried civic stewardship. It works!" He is a registered architect and chartered town planner with experience at partner level in private practice, in university teaching and research, and has been a Built Environment Ministerial Advisor for nine years.
He specialises in community involvement and introduced the concept of civic stewardship into the reformed planning system in Northern Ireland. He conceptualised and implemented the regeneration of former mill buildings to create city centre living spaces and converted the formerly derelict Grade A Listed Gosford Castle into private dwellings. He has chaired briefing and design reviews for social, educational and leisure projects and successfully presented at planning appeals.
Architecture and civic planning are not just about designing and building places - they are about people using them. Civic stewardship learns from the use, maintenance and management of places and makes for great design briefs. Civic Stewardship Initiative in Boston, USA, describes the techniques of "action learning", "connecting", and "aligning".
Join us most Fridays for an informal lunchtime talk followed by a chance to discuss the topic of the day or anything else that is on your mind, in small breakout rooms. Starting at 1pm and finished by 1.45pm, you can enjoy your Friday lunch break with inspiring speakers and interesting colleagues.
Taking part in online events
For our interactive online events, the RSA uses the platform Zoom. It may be necessary to follow a short set-up process. To understand how Zoom uses your data, please read their privacy policy in advance.
Zoom call joining details will be sent out via email in advance of the event.
If you have any access requirements or require any reasonable adjustments to support your participation, please let the team know by emailing: networks@rsa.org.uk.
We sometimes record our online RSA Fellowship events for learning purposes, publicity and/or public viewing. By attending this event, you accept that you may appear in RSA videos or images as an attendee of this event.
