Go Local or Go Home

Event details

Speaker: Luke Gooding - SEI-Y

The future of the built environment isn’t about one-size-fits-all solutions, it’s about decentralisation. From supply chains to energy systems and policy-making, shifting power to the local level is key to creating a resilient, low-carbon future. The challenge isn’t just technical; it’s about restructuring systems to prioritise local needs, resources, and decision-making.

This presentation explores how decentralisation can drive meaningful change. Strengthening smaller, regional supply chains reduces reliance on fragile global networks, making retrofits and sustainable materials more accessible. Locally governed energy systems, from community-owned renewables to smart microgrids, enhance resilience and affordability while keeping economic benefits within communities.

Policies tailored to local contexts can drive climate-positive action in ways that are both effective and equitable, ensuring that solutions reflect the unique needs of the people they serve. Through case studies and real-world strategies, this research highlights how decentralisation can transform the built environment, creating cities and communities that are adaptive, sustainable, and designed for the people who live in them.

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