KPF 50: The Evolution of Urban Districts

Talk

Wednesday 30 September 2026
18:15 - 20:15

KPF celebrates 50 years with a symposium and exhibition on what makes our cities resilient, equitable, and engaging.

What does the future hold for urban districts?

This year KPF, a global architecture practice with design studios in London and New York, turns 50. To celebrate this milestone, the practice is hosting a symposium on the future of urban districts, with experts from multiple fields invited to discuss what will make our cities resilient, equitable, and engaging for the next 50 years.

This symposium will be accompanied by an exhibition illustrating KPF's role in the long-term stewardship of districts in New York, London, Shanghai, alongside current work in cities that are experiencing significant growth and transformation, such as Mumbai, Riyadh, and Lisbon.

The symposium will explore the role of long-term stewardship in shaping successful urban places. It will consider how the most enduring districts are not created through a single project or masterplan, but through decades of investment, adaptation and collaboration.

Programme

18:15
Arrivals

18:40
Welcome

Catherine Staniland, Chief Impact Officer, NLA

James von Klemperer, President & Principal, KPF

18:55
Panel Discussion and Q&A

Julie Steinberg, Global Property Correspondent, Financial Times (Moderator)

Forth Bagley, Principal, KPF
Selina Mason, Director of Masterplanning and Strategic Design, Lendlease

Kieran Bowers, Strategic Advisor, Retail, Commercial and Mixed-Use, Qiddiya

Katie Stewart, Executive Director, Environment, City of London

19:55
Networking

20:15
End

Speaker biographies

Selina Mason

Director of Masterplanning and Strategic Design, Lendlease

James von Klemperer

President & Principal, Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF)

Forth Bagley, AIA

Principal, Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF)

Katie Stewart

Executive Director, Environment, City of London Corporation

Julie Steinberg

Global Property Correspondent, Financial Times

Kieran Bowers

Strategic Advisor, Retail, Commercial and Mixed-Use, Qiddiya

Accessibility

There are two ways of entering the London Centre: either up 3 steps with a handrail on either side, or via a platform lift. There are gender-neutral and accessible toilets on the lower ground floor, which can be accessed via a flight of stairs or lift.

Please visit The London Centre Access Page here.

If you would like more information about the space, or have any further access requirements, please let us know how we can best accommodate these, by emailing events@nla.london.

Venue

The London Centre
3 Aldermanbury
London
EC2V 7HH