Hear Bioregional’s co-founders explain how the design of this pioneering eco-village in south London has fostered a strong sense of community as well as helping protect the planet.

BedZED, in Sutton, south London, is the UK’s first large-scale, mixed-use sustainable community. Completed in 2001 by Peabody Trust in partnership with Bioregional and designed by Bill Dunster Architects, it has been an inspiration for low-carbon, environmentally friendly housing developments around the world.

BedZED's biggest success, however, is that it is an attractive and popular place to live, with children playing happily and safely in its pedestrianised streets, community events and a ‘village feel’.

Join us for a tour and talk

This breakfast session is part of the London Festival of Architecture 2016 and will comprise a short talk about the history of BedZED from Bioregional co-founders Sue Riddlestone OBE and Pooran Desai OBE, HonFRIBA. This will be followed by a question and answer session and short tour around the eco-village.

Join us to find out about:

• Successes, challenges and lessons learned in developing BedZED

• How building design helped create community

• How BedZED has inspired sustainability action in the wider community of Hackbridge and the borough of Sutton, and influenced the development of One Planet Communities around the world.

Timings

8 – 8.30am: Coffee and croissants
8.30 – 9.15 am: Talk by Sue Riddlestone and Pooran Desai, followed by discussion
9.15 – 10.00 am: Tour of BedZED