The Norwich Society

Events CONFERENCES

SAVE at 50! CONFERENCE Building in Context: Delivering Good Growth in Heritage Locations

  • Thu 15 May 2025
  • Open to all
  • The Kings Centre, 63-75 King Street, Norwich NR1 1PH
  • 9:30 am
  • Free (non-members) / Free (members)

Join SAVE Britain’s Heritage and The Norwich Society for a day of thought-provoking presentations and discussions exploring how new development can enhance the character and value of our historic towns and cities.

How can we build in historic places in ways that respect sensitive town centre heritage locations, support local communities and drive economic growth?

Join SAVE Britain’s Heritage and The Norwich Society for a day of thought-provoking presentations and discussions exploring how new development can enhance the character and value of our historic towns and cities.

Ten years on from the landmark Cathedral Cities in Peril report by Foster + Partners and Historic England, this conference brings together planners, architects, developers and conservation professionals. It’s open to anyone with an interest in the future of our built environment. Whether you work in the sector or simply care about the places around you, the day will focus on how historic cities like Norwich can attract investment, support local economies and create better places to live.

Speakers will share insights from UK and international examples, exploring public interest-led development, the role of government investment in shaping better places and the use of design codes to secure high-quality new architecture. They’ll also discuss how temporary or “meanwhile” uses can unlock the potential of neglected places.

Part of SAVE Britain’s Heritage’s 50th-anniversary year and programme of national events, this conference is a rare opportunity to hear from leading voices in planning, architecture and conservation. The event will include talks, panel discussions, Q&A sessions and guided walks, offering fresh perspectives on the role heritage plays in shaping the future.

Tickets are £45 pp for the general public. and £35 for Norwich Society and SAVE members. Your ticket includes entrance to the full day conference and an optional lunchtime tour (limited places), as well as refreshments from 9:30am, and a sandwich buffet lunch.

FIND OUT MORE AND BOOK HERE

ADAPTING OUR CITY FOR CLIMATE CHANGE: A City-Wide Business and Community Conference

  • Open to all
  • Free (non-members) / Free (members)

A recording of 'ADAPTING OUR CITY FOR CLIMATE CHANGE:  A City-Wide Business and Community Conference', 3rd October 2024, The Forum, Norwich, is available to view on the Society's YouTube channel.

The Norwich Society, with over a century of dedication to preserving the beauty, history and character of Norwich, invites you to view this pivotal event addressing one of the greatest challenges of our time: climate change.  

As part of our Climate Change strategy, we have collaborated with the City Council, academic institutions and the business community, to understand the impact of climate change on our City, and how we can prepare for and mitigate its effects on our community and built heritage.

WATCH THE VIDEO

SPEAKERS

 Mike Stonard, Leader, Norwich City Council: Norwich 2040 City Vision

Asher Minns, Director, Tyndall Centre, UEA: Overview of climate change and its impact on Norwich

Nova Fairbank, Chief Executive, Norfolk Chambers of Commerce: The Green economy – opportunities and challenges for business

Stuart Wright, Operations Net Zero Delivery Director, Aviva: Addressing climate change in business strategies

Prof. David Pearson, Visiting Professor, Edinburgh Napier University: Technical innovation and its role in future development

Nigel Hargreaves and Michael Yates, Norwich BID: Norwich Solar System and the role of renewables in a low-carbon economy

Bridget McKenzie, founding director of Climate Museum UK and Culture Declares Emergency, facilitated engaging Q&A sessions encouraging active participation and ideas-sharing.

The event was sponsored by: Triple Bottom Line Accounting, Lanpro and John E Wright