Our cities are facing challenges in how to accommodate an increasing population. More school places are needed than ever before but land is in short supply and funding can be limited. In response to this, our Director of Practice Helen Taylor, has co-authored a new RIBA Publishing book with Sharon Wright, Senior Associate, The Learning Crowd. ‘Urban Schools: Designing for High Density’ explores how the city can continue to provide the best education experience for children when space is tight.

The book explores the design of schools in urban settings, the increased challenges in meeting the typical expectations of school design, and what the successful new typology of a school in a city might be.

A series of experts were invited to examine how we view the issues of delivering education within the city. Case studies from around the world and historic examples add further reinforcement to the expert examinations. The resulting publication is an invaluable resource for educators, designers and policy makers as they look for new ways to tackle the challenges ahead.

“Our intent is to share the successes and help the education design world learn the key lessons to enable them to deliver new solutions that meet the needs of children now and in the future. In doing so we have identified the opportunities and challenges for integrating these new approaches into the city.”

Helen Taylor, Director of Practice

Following the book’s launch at the RIBA on 22 January 2020, it can now be ordered here or at the RIBA bookshop.