Put yourself in the virtual shoes of someone else and experience how digital technology and more inclusive data can be used to inform and improve the way we design urban space.
We invite you to join us at Leeds Digital Festival and engage in the conversation on how we improve accessibility, safety, and inclusivity in our cities and towns using inclusive data and digital innovation.
Our interactive and immersive all-day programme of drop-in and register-to-attend events is designed to provide an insight into the cross-section of challenges that urban spaces currently present, from the perspective of three intersectional local women. We have meaningfully curated a suite of VR, Arup SoundLab, and YARD experiences alongside focus talks and networking opportunities to engage with throughout the day, exploring the broader issues and challenges of urban design and digital innovation throughout the city.
Delivered in partnership with public and private sector collaborators, including Munroe K, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Leeds City Council, and Leeds University.
‘Walk in my shoes’ | 10.00 – 16.00 | All day guided
Put yourself in the virtual shoes of someone else and experience Leeds from the perspective of local women. An interactive and thought-provoking Arup VR experience.
Drop-in and be immersed.
Experience YARD | 11.30 – 16.00 | All day guided
Learn about Arup’s augmented reality (AR) tool YARD; enabling a shared, accessible language for co-designing with the community to create more people-centred public spaces.
Drop-in and be immersed.
In conversation with Liz Cooper | 13.30 – 14.15 | Hybrid
Engage in a discussion with Arup Senior Lighting Designer, Liz Cooper, who unpacks the findings of Arup’s local ‘Night-time Vulnerability Study’ and smart lighting interventions.
Register above – places are limited in-person.
In conversation with Ola Gwozdz | 14.15 – 15.00 | Hybrid
Meet Arup Senior Designer, Ola Gwozdz, and delve into her keynote: ‘Making digital personal – injecting life into digital transformation’.
Register above – places are limited in-person.
Inclusive Urban Design Workshop | 15.00 – 16.00
Put theory into action and address the challenges of public spaces, in this hands-on design interventions workshop led by Arup Inclusive Design specialists.
Register above – places are limited.
Leeds Industry Panel Discussion | 16.30 – 17.15 | Hybrid
Join a local panel discussion chaired by Tom Wilcock, UKIMEA Director at Arup, exploring digital innovation in inclusive urban design.
Including guest speakers: Angela Barnicle (Leeds City Council), Professor Natasha Merat (University of Leeds), Helen Forman (West Yorkshire Combined Authority), David Aspin (Munroe K), and Kim Cooper (Arup).
Register above – places are limited in-person.
Networking Socials | Lunchtime 12.30 – 13.30 and Evening 17.15 – 19.00
Join us alongside industry collaborators and city stakeholders for informal networking and refreshments at Leeds Playhouse.
Register above, places are limited.
