All members of the Urban Design Group are invited to the Annual General Meeting.
Register here
Agenda
- Minutes of the Special General Meeting held on 17 July 2025 (below)
- Annual Report and Accounts of the Urban Design Group Charity No 326123 - 1 March 2024-31 July 2025 download -
NB on 1 August 2025 the Urban Design Group transitioned to a charitable incorporated organisation charity no 1211478. - Dissolution of the old Urban Design Group charity
To confirm the intent to dissolve the old Urban Design Group charity no 326123 as first agreed at the SGM 17 July 2025. - Election of new Honorary Treasurer and Honorary Secretary
- Lucy Fineberg, Honorary Secretary - Proposed by Hannah Smart, Seconded by Bruce Calton
- Rob Thompson, Honorary Treasurer - Proposed by Katja Stille, seconded by Paul Reynolds
- Chair of Urban Design Group
Retirement of Paul Reynolds as Chair, and accession of Hannah Smart as elected at the SGM 17 July 2025 - Any other business
For reference:
Urban Design Group Constitution
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Urban Design Group Special General Meeting
12:00 to 13:00, Thursday 17 July 2025
Minutes
The meeting was deemed to be quorate with 25 members present.
1. Introduction
Paul Reynolds, Trustee and Current Chair of the Urban Design Group, was appointed to Special General Meeting and briefly set the scene about the business to be covered in the meeting.
A resolution was made at the AGM in December 2023 that the UDG should evolve from an Unincorporated Charity into a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). The Charity Commission approved the constitution of the new CIO on 18 December 2024 and registered it with a new number (1211478). The charitable objects remain the same:
- To promote high standards of performance and inter-professional co-operation in planning, urban design and architecture, landscape design and all other aspects of the built environment.
- To educate the relevant professions and the public in matters relating to Urban Design
Over the past 6 months preparations have been taking place ahead of the transition.The purpose of the SGM was to make the necessary resolutions to enact this transition.
2. Business for the Unincorporated Charity (326123)
2.1 Resolution: that the Urban Design Group (Unincorporated Charity 326123) should transfer its assets, debts and contractual liabilities to the new Urban Design Group (Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1211478) – approved by a unanimous vote of the members present.
2.2 Resolution: that, following the transition of the Urban Design Group from an Unincorporated Charity (326123) to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (1211478), the said Unincorporated Charity should be dissolved. (2/3rds majority of those present at the SGM required) this to be confirmed by a second vote at the AGM in December 2025 – approved by a unanimous vote of the members present.
3. Business for the Charitable Incorporated Organisation (1211478)
3.1 Resolution: to accept the assets, debts and contractual liabilities from the Unincorporated Charity (326123) – approved by majority vote of the members present.
3.2 Geoff Noble, nominated by the Editorial Board, was confirmed as trustee of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation by majority vote of the members present.
4. Membership Subscriptions
4.1 General membership subscriptions: The UDG has not changed its subscription rates since 1 June 2018, just over seven years ago. Whilst steps have been taken to keep costs down, significant inflation over recent years means that this position is no longer sustainable.
4.2 It was proposed fees should be increased in line with inflation (CPI-H) with effect from 1 September 2025, and that henceforth they should be reviewed every two years. See this page for the new rates.
4.3 Most of the members present were in favour of the resolution, although there was some discussion about the definition of ‘small’ practices and the fact that, within some large architecture and planning practices, the urban design team is in fact very small and therefore should be eligible for the small practice rate.
Nonetheless the proposed new rates were agreed by majority vote of the members present.
5. Universities and Local Authorities: There was brief discussion of how the Urban Design Group might better support these organisations in a changing financial world, with issues such as skills, course accreditation and better engagement between practices and courses being raised.It was agreed that ideas should be explored in greater detail at a later date.
6. Election of Chair Elect of Urban Design Group.
Prospective candidates had been invited to put themselves forward for the office of Chair Elect of the new CIO. Only one candidate had been nominated:
- Hannah Smart, Recognised Practitioner in Urban Design, Honorary Secretary, UDG
Manifesto
If we asked our members – what is Urban Design to you? We would all give a different answer - Urban Design is both broad in its remit and deeply personal. It is policy vs pavement. It is landscape vs lived experience. It is the space between the buildings, the buildings themselves and the quality of life within them.
As Chair Elect, I want to lead the UDG into a future that embraces richness of variety, bringing together our collective voice. I want to champion landscape-led, human-centred design that is rooted in accessibility, happiness and belonging. Urban Design must work for everyone from children to elders, from neurodivergent individuals to those with limited mobility and we must lead the way!
I want Urban Design to be better understood by the public, featured in mainstream news, debated in communities, and recognised for its role in shaping daily life. We need to demystify design and open it up to everyone.
With experience in inclusive placemaking and an award-winning accessibility initiative, I bring drive and strategic vision. Together, we can build a more visible, welcoming, and impactful UDG - one that leads with care, creativity and purpose in a world that changes every day.
Hannah was duly elected at Chair Elect of the Urban Design Group and would take office as Chair of the UDG at the AGM in December 2025.
7. Any Other Business
An Annual General Meeting is planned for December (date TBC) at which time Paul Reynolds will step down, Hannah Smart will assume office as Chair, and the dissolution of the Unincorporated Charity (326123) will be confirmed by a second vote (simple majority of those present required).
