https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events daily 0.75 2024-03-18 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/wi-inspirational-women monthly 0.5 2024-03-18 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/bilston-wmca-ur-roadshow monthly 0.5 2024-03-18 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/nmwetc1xwbx1vdwvxkaqbbvo50mvhj-hbl29 monthly 0.5 2024-03-18 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/nmwetc1xwbx1vdwvxkaqbbvo50mvhj-enyxy monthly 0.5 2024-03-18 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/nmwetc1xwbx1vdwvxkaqbbvo50mvhj monthly 0.5 2024-03-18 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/book-launch monthly 0.5 2024-03-18 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/yjuzsbxgvcsm2skj04aax7yujqhbky monthly 0.5 2023-10-20 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/green-belt-discussion monthly 0.5 2023-09-14 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/rics-planning-development-conference monthly 0.5 2023-09-14 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/towns-and-villages monthly 0.5 2023-02-17 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/oxford-planning-law-conference monthly 0.5 2023-02-17 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/foundation-certificate-in-urban-design-c8gt3 monthly 0.5 2023-02-17 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/foundation-certificate-in-urban-design monthly 0.5 2023-02-17 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/rtpi-new-year-debate monthly 0.5 2023-02-17 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/keeping-quality-high monthly 0.5 2023-02-17 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/lust43gcoa7aigja1rr47rnosmjdeu monthly 0.5 2022-10-08 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/dikphrs6p8nn9ph2spa879e8xedux7-ysmj5-msz6y monthly 0.5 2022-10-08 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/dikphrs6p8nn9ph2spa879e8xedux7-ysmj5 monthly 0.5 2022-10-08 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/0hvbfvk2vz0jrd7hsuqrl4snoomjkg monthly 0.5 2022-10-08 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/dikphrs6p8nn9ph2spa879e8xedux7-gbl5f monthly 0.5 2022-10-08 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/dikphrs6p8nn9ph2spa879e8xedux7 monthly 0.5 2022-10-08 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/rtpi-awards-wellbeing-design-guide-3am59 monthly 0.5 2022-10-08 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/rtpi-awards-wellbeing-design-guide monthly 0.5 2022-10-08 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/4946d3n0zrt39a17q6ol2o8nv5j0wt monthly 0.5 2022-04-21 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/lxtzmhc71bi61ug47ojesj5ieqb4dv monthly 0.5 2021-10-18 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/rtpi-south-east-new-chapter-in-urban-design monthly 0.5 2021-10-18 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/rics-planning-and-development-conference monthly 0.5 2021-07-27 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/el-profesionista-despues-de-la-pandemia monthly 0.5 2021-07-27 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/york-design-week monthly 0.5 2021-07-27 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/mhclg monthly 0.5 2021-07-27 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/e98phlmeqnz73ggusqit57uxifnbco monthly 0.5 2021-07-27 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/n9u1fj8w3yk3zq0l82lmb1ntb8hiln-2ljhd monthly 0.5 2021-04-21 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/n9u1fj8w3yk3zq0l82lmb1ntb8hiln monthly 0.5 2021-04-21 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/shopfront-design-guide-nottingham-dqf monthly 0.5 2021-04-21 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/planning-officers-society-spatial-plans-network monthly 0.5 2021-04-21 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/webinar-1-the-new-national-model-design-code-meeting-the-challenge monthly 0.5 2021-03-04 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/w3rf5499dfuvgmz5pn0nxpwlwev59x monthly 0.5 2021-02-09 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/kaizen-arts-agencys-hokey-cokey-with-dr-laura-b-alvarez monthly 0.5 2020-07-14 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/civic-voice-design-unit-webinar-in-conversation-with-laura-alvarez-putting-design-quality-at-the-heart-of-placemaking monthly 0.5 2020-06-23 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/national-design-delivery-unit-launch-event monthly 0.5 2020-06-23 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/webinar-3-community-and-the-national-design-guide monthly 0.5 2020-06-26 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/nottingham-architecture-amp-place-society-naps monthly 0.5 2020-06-23 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/national-design-guide monthly 0.5 2020-02-02 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/https/wwwfuturebuildcouk monthly 0.5 2020-02-02 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/events/event-four-rm4yf monthly 0.5 2021-03-04 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/videos daily 0.75 2021-07-29 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/videos/blog-post-title-one-k26lm monthly 0.5 2021-07-30 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/home daily 1.0 2025-09-09 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/ethos-biography daily 0.75 2023-02-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2c6132718b6642906be3c2/1580052538398-3LQNE6Y7S8WT2KK6407B/DSC03079-q50+%282%29.jpg Ethos & Biography - ETHOS Architecture is not a form of art, it is a problem solving science. Designs that don’t originate from a deep understanding of context are simply worthless. Architecture is there to serve the end user, not its maker. A good Urban Designer knows how to make buildings respond to a setting in such way that the whole is greater than the sum of its component parts. Urban Design is where all built environment fields meet. The job of a good Planner is to listen very carefully to those who form the urban ecosystem and to help them legislate to secure their future. A good Planner should be responsible for informing the population about what constitutes sustainable growth. https://www.laurabalvarez.com/contact daily 0.75 2020-02-22 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/urban-design-planning daily 0.75 2021-03-21 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/communities daily 0.75 2021-04-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2c6132718b6642906be3c2/1580049698026-3DVG1RE2QPYTZGKIVXIV/38.jpg Communities - ETHOS In an urban ecosystem, people and place are symbiotically interconnected through a series of natural and man-made systems. When something changes, the other components have to adapt to the new conditions. This is why it is so important to understand people before any change takes place in an urban environment. Unfortunately, built environment professions have been very concerned with technical appraisals in the past few decades, tying to make development viable both practically and financially. This focus meant that professionals often fail to understand how people might be affected. This gap in practice motivated me to train as a community organiser, and to dedicate a significant portion of my research to study the psychology and sociology of place, along with anthropological techniques for community engagement. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2c6132718b6642906be3c2/1580046972037-UEPVPJ5P2H45AVLEXA3H/07.jpg Communities - PLACE IDENTITY Understanding what a place means to people through time is fundamental to deliver people-led development and growth. Designers have a duty of care toward people, This is not only achievable by design but also through planning and build processes. A significant part of my work involves working on place character, community landscapes, collective memories of place and place identity. As part of Nottingham Design Quality Framework, the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University are collaborating with Nottingham City Council to deliver a complex project that aims to map local identity across Nottingham, from the eyes of its residents. This aims to establish what are the key characteristics that make each area special, which will help protect and enhance neighbourhood identity in the long term. In 2017, I worked on a project called Sneinton Memories, in collaboration with the Muslim Community Organisation. The project captured memories of a group of ladies of various backgrounds who grew up in the neighbourhood. A booklet photographed by Marcos Compagnucci was published, this is available for viewing at Nottingham’s libraries. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2c6132718b6642906be3c2/1580150499528-C7V0D2FF7MUGGQZGZCUS/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Communities - URBAN ROOM I have been the Lead Curator of Nottingham’s Urban Room since 2019, I also represent the Urban Design Group at the Steering Group. This short clip explains what the Urban Room is. I created a learning programme called Co-PLACE in partnership with Community Organisers Notts, a knowledge-sharing platform for communities, designers, developers and planners to learn from each other and to find improved strategies to work together. The Urban Room regularly hosts workshops, training sessions and family events. Look at the website to see what goes on at 38 Carrington Street or if you wish to book the space for your event. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2c6132718b6642906be3c2/1580150184267-FLM7D84EVRB2DFUV63AY/NTU+Arch.jpg Communities - SCHOOLS I have been working with schools since 2014, creating and delivering workshops for pupils from nursery age up to A levels. I believe children have an incredibly truthful way to understand the built environment and because of that, they can often come up with the most genuinely realistic and interesting proposals. The programmes I put together for schools touch on all aspects of architecture, urban design and planning. I have delivered workshops on bridge structures, facade design, the concept of beauty, environmental issues and climate chance action. Sessions for older students focus on career opportunities and the life of professionals in the built environment. https://www.laurabalvarez.com/publications daily 0.75 2025-01-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2c6132718b6642906be3c2/1580569122053-W5EIS7SXL6BHSOJ2PM4Y/DSC03192-12.jpg Publications - ETHOS Architecture, Urban Design and Planning are highly skilled fields. Far too often, decisions remain in the hands of a few but have an impact on the lives of many. Informing the public about the barriers and conflicts within the various fields of the industry is a good start whilst we prepare for a more participatory and inclusive planning system. Informed people can make informed decisions. I have published many articles in professional journals, public interest websites and national newspapers. https://www.laurabalvarez.com/paintings-illustrations daily 0.75 2024-10-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2c6132718b6642906be3c2/a42e6421-ad74-4abf-9a57-6cebe4ea9f85/IMG_20241008_212749.jpg Paintings & Illustrations - Make it stand out 15 min Challenge Oil pastels on paper https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2c6132718b6642906be3c2/1580060367745-VNQ02UYKZEW3VM0JHACE/Art+Maru.jpg Paintings & Illustrations Portrait of my daughter Watercolours on paper - A3 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2c6132718b6642906be3c2/1617691971980-ZWC69HWWPJF4VPN6OAIN/Boat+2+8x8.jpg Paintings & Illustrations Boats on the beach Acrylics on canvas - 20x20cm https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2c6132718b6642906be3c2/1580060054048-7YTTL2UNZ74S932KNCEP/Art+Bridge.jpg Paintings & Illustrations Ensenada’s Old Bridge Acrylics on paper https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2c6132718b6642906be3c2/1580059973051-03YVOSL6HNRGQFMISK2K/Art+7.jpg Paintings & Illustrations Nottingham Skyline Acrylics on canvas - A3 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2c6132718b6642906be3c2/1580060242476-WXDD0EKWZQSADW1KATUY/Art+nott.jpg Paintings & Illustrations Nottingham Ink Ink on paper - A4 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2c6132718b6642906be3c2/1617691903722-WONG4BIDP9BS33ZOU64K/Boat+1+8x8.jpg Paintings & Illustrations Boat in harbour Acrylics on canvas - 20x20cm https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2c6132718b6642906be3c2/1580060448972-JIFGQEYYUJT21KIKLWZ8/Art+Maru+%26+me.jpg Paintings & Illustrations Mother and daughter Watercolours on paper - A2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2c6132718b6642906be3c2/1580059892762-IF0CY0F5OTIU7PRK8SNF/Art+Shopping.jpg Paintings & Illustrations Clumber Street Shopping 2018 Acrylics on paper - A4 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2c6132718b6642906be3c2/1580060285109-J2G5I2D2DHKQQH6Z3L2N/Art+Pub.jpg Paintings & Illustrations Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, Nottingham Acrylic on paper - A4 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/urban-design-planning-1 daily 0.75 2020-01-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2c6132718b6642906be3c2/1580038823840-SKY6MXRRU5FO5LEPBAJK/DSC03038-q50.jpg Innovation & Causes - ETHOS I am always motivated to change status quo if that means people could have a healthier, happier, more inclusive life. One of my main concerns is that the built environment professions have not yet fully understood or embraced the concept of urban ecosystems. Until we grasp how humans, and other species, all work in association with their environment, we will have little chance to make a significant move towards delivering sustainable development. This is the motivation to all my work, including my PhD research at the University of Nottingham. In an urban ecosystem, people and places are in constant synergy, exchanging symbiotically and transforming each other. I strongly believe that the design and planning processes can do a lot more than the current norm. Placemaking can deliver social value through development, helping communities become established, grow and sustain themselves in the long term. https://www.laurabalvarez.com/urban-design-planning-2 daily 0.75 2023-10-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2c6132718b6642906be3c2/1616401444115-I5WI7SJX28C6X45G9HO9/ABC%2Bgraph.jpg Theory & Research https://www.laurabalvarez.com/architecture daily 0.75 2020-01-27 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/broadcasting daily 0.75 2020-07-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2c6132718b6642906be3c2/1580045040642-A30IUKU0Q1042AW29KH9/Media+2+%283%29.jpg Broadcasting - ETHOS The built environment is everyone’s responsibility. It is the social duty of professionals to share accurate technical information with the public, so that people have the opportunity to take informed decisions about where and how they are going to live and work. I have been a published critic for more than a decade, broadcasting for BBC television, BBC radio, ABC Radio Australia and many more. https://www.laurabalvarez.com/whitby-flat daily 0.75 2025-09-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2c6132718b6642906be3c2/1616512879138-T680PJBDQDBELLRVUVI5/Whitby%2BPlan.jpg Whitby Flat Indicative layout https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2c6132718b6642906be3c2/1616514308793-TXTS58GT2HYCQOVOSAPZ/W2.jpg Whitby Flat Front parking (orange in map above) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2c6132718b6642906be3c2/1616514057115-1ZQHM7PL90LLYKHJZDTZ/Whitby%2BLocation%2Bmap.jpg Whitby Flat Location map https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2c6132718b6642906be3c2/1616516430010-UL96783SBU0JAZ3CSG1A/W9.jpg Whitby Flat https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2c6132718b6642906be3c2/1616512859897-H4AP10HL0NW2WTKACCYX/W1.jpg Whitby Flat View from Whitby Abbey https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2c6132718b6642906be3c2/1616514222522-WUVC1P0O64YS0HY3N801/W7.jpg Whitby Flat Living room https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2c6132718b6642906be3c2/1616514146387-54HXEA7K7YKKYHOPJM46/Whitby%2BCarpark.jpg Whitby Flat Rear parking (yellow in map above) https://www.laurabalvarez.com/the-soap-dragons daily 0.75 2025-09-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2c6132718b6642906be3c2/0417584a-85f4-4476-8324-e61178619e36/FBK+banner+Gmail.jpg https://www.laurabalvarez.com/pun daily 0.75 2025-09-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2c6132718b6642906be3c2/8e2ff1b5-fd2f-4ca3-be51-a6f737996c05/WebSignPnD15x15.jpg https://www.laurabalvarez.com/calmer-please daily 0.75 2025-09-12 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/soapbox daily 0.75 2023-04-04 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/green-washing daily 0.75 2023-08-26 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/the-way-of-the-soap-dragons daily 0.75 2023-08-26 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/holding-out-for-a-zero daily 0.75 2025-09-12 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/i-peel-good daily 0.75 2025-09-12 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/lemony-mony daily 0.75 2025-09-12 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/zest-dance daily 0.75 2025-09-12 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/treesy-lover daily 0.75 2025-09-12 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/thyme-after-lime daily 0.75 2025-09-12 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/mints-charming daily 0.75 2025-09-12 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/cococabana daily 0.75 2025-09-12 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/soothe-operator daily 0.75 2025-09-12 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/resu daily 0.75 2025-09-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2c6132718b6642906be3c2/a5d25b3c-41de-41b5-b21e-e6ac18ae45f0/webResu15x15.jpg https://www.laurabalvarez.com/into-the-trees daily 0.75 2025-09-12 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/dash-of-hope daily 0.75 2025-09-12 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/ascension daily 0.75 2025-09-12 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/the-other-side daily 0.75 2025-09-12 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/no-6 daily 0.75 2025-09-12 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/hand-of-glory daily 0.75 2025-09-12 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/constance daily 0.75 2025-09-12 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/consultancy-services daily 0.75 2022-09-28 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/design-support daily 0.75 2022-09-28 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/consultancy daily 0.75 2022-09-28 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/engagement daily 0.75 2022-09-28 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/training daily 0.75 2022-09-28 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/the-lair-necessities-of-life daily 0.75 2023-05-22 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/wasteland daily 0.75 2025-09-12 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/careless-whisker daily 0.75 2025-09-12 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/juice-like-heaven daily 0.75 2025-09-12 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/simply-the-rest daily 0.75 2025-09-12 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/posy daily 0.75 2025-09-12 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/baciu daily 0.75 2025-09-12 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/sloom daily 0.75 2025-09-18 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/vaishalis daily 0.75 2024-09-03 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/ghosts daily 0.75 2025-09-20 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/skulls daily 0.75 2025-09-20 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/hearts daily 0.75 2025-09-20 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/skulls-1 daily 0.75 2025-09-20 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/anne-80 daily 0.75 2025-05-01 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/cats daily 0.75 2025-09-20 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/manaia daily 0.75 2025-09-12 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/tamoko daily 0.75 2025-09-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e2c6132718b6642906be3c2/0672d77c-af67-425d-a4cd-e3a8b5308e9b/Ta+MOKO+Logo+Square+JPG.jpg https://www.laurabalvarez.com/pikorua daily 0.75 2025-09-12 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/koru daily 0.75 2025-09-12 https://www.laurabalvarez.com/poor-yorick daily 0.75 2025-09-20