WSA Public Lecture Series 2025-26 - Derek Walker

Date: Wednesday 22nd April 2026

Timings:

Doors Open at 5.15pm

Welcome by Professor Jo Patterson at 5.30pm

Lecture by Derek Walker at 5.40pm

Q&A at 6.30pm

Event Closes at 7.00pm

Lecture Title: Creating spaces with communities in mind: Placemaking for future generations

Lecture Abstract:

How can we design places that truly serve the needs of future generations? This lecture examines the transformative role of placemaking in creating vibrant, inclusive and climate resilient communities across Wales. Rooted in the principles of the world-leading Wellbeing of Future Generations Act, Derek will explore current challenges in infrastructure and shared spaces, while showcasing inspiring examples of community led innovation. Attendees will gain insight into how placemaking and collaborative design can build sustainable, peoplec entred places that meet long term needs.

BIO:

Derek Walker is the second ‘Future Generations Commissioner for Wales’, having started the role on March 1st 2023, he called for ‘urgent and transformational change’ across the Nation, later launching his seven-year strategy ‘Cymru Can’ to inspire positive change.

Dereks earlier career includes:

• Spending 12 years as chief executive of Cwmpas, the UK’s largest co-operative development agency, working to support people and communities to create jobs and strengthen communities. Derek changed the organisation’s focus to development that meets the needs of current generations without compromising the needs of future generations.
• Policy officer for London Councils, in London and Brussels and has worked as Head of External Affairs at the Big Lottery Fund (Wales), as Head of Policy and Campaigns at the Wales TUC and was the first employee of Stonewall Cymru.
• Derek is a keen runner and tennis player, loves to read and is a Welsh learner. He lives in Cardiff with his partner Mike and has two grown-up children.

His ambition while at Croesyceiliog Comprehensive School was to be a journalist and he has a Masters degree in International Journalism from Cardiff University. He’s happy how life has turned out and says being a guardian of the interests of people not yet born is the greatest privilege

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Welsh School of Architecture, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, United Kingdom

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