Curious Cities Assembly 2026 - Programme

Explore the programme for Curious Cities Assembly 2026, a two-day gathering of leaders, advocates and experts sharing practical ideas for creating safer, healthier and more liveable cities.

Joining via livestream

A single livestream will run throughout each conference day, so you can join at any time and dip in and out for the sessions you’d like to watch.

Please check back here shortly before the start of the conference to access the stream, or submit your email address below and we’ll notify you on the day.

Day 1 – 24 June: Active Childhoods & New Neighbourhoods

Exploring how streets, transport and neighbourhood design can support children’s health, independence and play.

Part 1: Active Childhoods
Time (BST)
Session
Speakers
09:15 – 10:00
Registration
10:00 – 10:10
Introducing Curious Cities
Barbara Stoll, Clean Cities
10:15 – 10:35
What is childhood and why does it matter?
Nikhil Chaudhary, Cambridge University
10:35 – 10:40
What young people want from transport
3-minute video
10:45 – 11:00
Getting kids active – the miracle cure
Professor Scarlett McNally, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
11:05 – 11:15
Keynote
Mete Coban MBE, Deptuty Mayor of London for Environment and Energy
11:15 – 11:30
Break
11:30 – 11:45
Helping children breathe: driving out diesel. Lessons from the CHILL study.
Professor Chris Griffiths, Queen Mary University of London
11:50 – 12:05
Freedom to Move
Dr. Amit Patel, Blind Dad UK
12:10 – 12:40
Kids’ Online Wellbeing Takes a Village: Lessons from Greystones Ireland
Rachel Harper, Principal of St. Patrick’s National School Moderated by Barbara Stoll, Clean Cities
12:40 – 13:40
Lunch break
Part 2: New Neighbourhoods
Time (BST)
Session
Speakers
13:40 – 13:50
Welcome – Why start with doorsteps and neighbourhoods when thinking about healthier, fairer cities for children?
Gemma Hyde, TCPA
13:55 – 14:15
Thresholds of imagination
Amahra Spence, MAIA/Hood Studio
14:20 – 15:00
Contested space: Who really shapes the doorstep, and why are better outcomes difficult to deliver?
Christopher Martin, Urban Movement
Lucy Saunders, Healthy Streets
Jasmine Hoffman, Yes Ball Games
Moderated by Harriet Grant, Journalist
15:00 – 15:15
Break
15:15 – 15:55
(Breakout A)
New neighbourhoods: What needs to be designed in from the outset if new places are to support children, families and everyday activity?
Dinah Bornat, ZCD Architects
Garry Hall, Homes England
Moderated by Harriet Saddington, Architect
15:15 – 15:55
(Breakout B)
Existing places: How can we make everyday neighbourhoods work better for children and families without waiting for new development?
Chris Donkin, London Sport
Katherine Knight, Intelligent Health
Moderated by Christopher Martin, Urban Movement
15:55 – 16:10
Break
16:10 – 16:50
From the doorstep to the city: How do we shift power so that more people — especially children, young people and communities — can genuinely shape the places around them?
Amahra Spence, MAIA/Hood Studio
Lais Fleury, Alana Foundation
Love Ssega, Live+Breathe
Dinah Bornat, ZCD Architects
Moderated by Gemma Hyde, TCPA
16:55 – 17:05
Reflections on Day 1 – What should we carry forward if we want this conversation to turn into lasting change?
Rezina Chowdhury, Active travel advocate and previous Deputy Leader of Lambeth

Day 2 – 25 June: Barriers to Independence & Streets for Kids

Examining solutions, policies and interventions to make cities safer and more child-friendly.

Part 1: Barriers to Independence
Time (BST)
Session
Speakers
07:45 – 08:45
Site visit: doing the Lambeth walk – school streets in action (separate registration required)
Hosted by Lambeth Council officers
09:15 – 10:00
Registration
10:00 – 10:05
Introduction to day 2
Oliver Lord, Clean Cities
10:10 – 10:25
Keynote
Chris Boardman CBE, National Active Travel Commisioner
10:30 – 11:10
Streets for play, streets for freedom: How a “child lens” would transform transport policy
Alice Ferguson, Playing Out
Professor Ian Walker, Swansea University
Tim Gill, Independent
Moderated by Catherine Woodhead, Living Streets
11:15 – 11:45
Details to be announced shortly
11:45 – 12:00
Break
12:00 – 12:45
(Breakout A)
Clean Air & Active Streets
Cecilia Vaca Jones, Breathe Cities
Jemima Hartshorn, Mums for Lungs
Maya Mailer, Our Kids Climate
Moderated by Arthur Kay, Author of Roadkill
12:00 – 12:45
(Breakout B)
Carspreading: when big cars crowd out the rest of us
Alexander Premm, Lab of Thought
Anna Goodman, Transport for Quality of Life
James Nix, Transport & Environment
James Ward, SUV Alliance
Moderated by Barbara Stoll, Clean Cities
12:45 – 13:45
Lunch break
Part 2: Streets for Kids
Time (BST)
Session
Speakers
13:45 – 13:50
Introducing Streets for Kids
Anna Becchi, Clean Cities
13:55 – 14:35
Getting kids moving: lessons from active travel leaders
Ed Clancy OBE, South Yorks Active Lives Commissioner
Cllr Sarah Warren, Deputy Leader of Bath & Somerset Council
Will Norman, London Walking & Cycling Commissioner
Moderated by Laura Laker, Journalist and writer
14:40 – 14:55
The Hill of Hysteria
Alexander Premm, Lab of Thought
15:00 – 15:15
Building a bike movement in Mexico City
Areli Carreón, Bicitekas / Mexico Road Safety Coalition
15:15 – 15:30
Break
15:30 – 16:10
(Breakout A)
Partnerships and campaigns: transforming the city together
Caroline Russell, London Assembly (short keynote)
Etive Currie, Glasgow City Council
Harry Gray, WalkRide Greater Manchester
Nicola Pastore, Solve The School Run
Moderated by Caz Conneller, Clean Cities
15:30 – 16:10
(Breakout B)
Giving children choice: a multi-modal School Run
Alper Muduroglu, Peddle My Wheels
Kate Ball, Wheels for Wellbeing
Katie Collier, Worcester Bike Bus
Pooya Kamvari, HomeRun
Moderated by Patrin Watanatada, Think Feel Change
16:10 – 16:25
Break
16:25 – 16:55
Delivering resilient Streets for Kids
Chiara Molinar, City of Paris
Demetrio Scopelliti, AMAT, Comune di Milano
Moderated by Elliot Treharne, Greater London Authority
17:00 – 17:25
City of Paris: what’s in store this coming term?
Dan Lert, Deputy Mayor of Paris
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