Preview: Festival of Place 2026 10 June, Boxpark Wembley, London

The conference was founded in 2018, aiming to break down silos and disrupt the conference model by bringing together a pan‑industry audience to learn and to challenge the status quo, with an emphasis on the spaces between the buildings and serendipity between the sessions. 

Collective purpose is felt among attendees each year as discussions are enriched and ideas are fostered between delegates, chairs and speakers alike. 

Established by the founders of The Developer and The Pineapples awards for place, the festival will be celebrating its seventh year of providing authentic fun and learning. 

It’s not like any other conference; it really has a festival atmosphere, as architect Richard Blackwell says: “The loose-fit, relaxed confines of the venue invited the sense of a jamboree, and whilst the content may not have been all celebratory, the multiple stages and breadth of topics on the agenda had festival connotations.”

Last year, over 90 speakers took to the stage, alongside walking tours, fishbowls and workshops. Spread across Boxpark and the wider Wembley Park, six streams of content covered themes of neurodiversity, decarbonisation, intergenerational living and more, attracting developers, architects, local authorities, policymakers, impact investors, urban designers, community engagers, academics and researchers. 

The day started with a standout opening discussion led by Professor Michael Marmot, director, UCL, Institute of Health Equality, on tackling health inequalities in the built environment.  

UP Projects executive director Moira Lascelles described his session as “powerful”, adding: “The message was clear: addressing social determinants of health, such as housing, education, transport and environment, is not just a matter of policy but of social justice.”

South Facing founder Dominique Staindl commented: “The atmosphere was electric – so full of energy and great people that I barely left my seat, managing to have 30-plus conversations from one spot.” 

Other talks highlighted by attendees included Yes Ball Games, a panel discussion led by ZCD Architects director Dinah Bornat, author of All to Play For: How to Design Child-Friendly Housing. Participants shared their thoughts on how to shape communities around children and young people, and there were also discussions on intergenerational living with Alison Benzimra, head of research and influence at United St Saviour’s Charity; Charlotte Miller, co-founder of Intergenerational England; and Tom Goodall, chief executive director at Related Argent.

Festival of Place co-founder Christine Murray reflected that everyone involved “effortlessly brought people together to make new connections and spark conversations, showcasing the creativity and passion of professionals in the built environment”.

For the 2026 festival, you can also join us for a series of hands-on workshops, enabling you to network and grow. Plus, experience case studies straight from The Pineapples awards. Across the day, award finalists, revealed in January 2026, will be presenting truly remarkable examples of placemaking. Last year, 14 projects across areas of regenerative practice, homes, buildings and places in progress were featured – the audience heard passionate 10-minute presentations from developers and architects all day. 

The agenda is growing for 2026. Be a part of it and learn from the brightest minds. Meet like-minded people and get inspired by great places. 

Tickets are on sale now. Doors open at 8.30am with content through to 5pm plus our afterparty until 8pm providing fun, fizz and games to end the day. Admission includes lunch and coffee, tea and snacks, available throughout the day from one of Boxpark’s independent traders. 

Festival of Place organisation member Whittam Cox Architects said: “Being part of it helps us stay connected to what’s really happening in urban development, meet others who share our values, and bring new energy and insight back into our own work.” 

Find out more Tickets are on sale now. Interested in sponsoring? Talk to James MacLeod about opportunities for branding and engagement at the Festival of Place, email james@thedeveloper.live