4×4 Manchester met in May 2016 to answer the Big Questions. The first event asked speakers to explore the topic of Money.
Speakers: Flora Samuel, Morag Rose, Steve Connor and Michael Martin.
Flora Samuel
Flora Samuel is a British architect, author and educator. In 2009 she became the Head of the School of Architecture at Sheffield University, the first woman to hold the post. Flora joined the University of Reading in 2015 to open the new School of Architecture and is now Professor of Architecture and the Built Environment. Flora was also appointed as the first RIBA Ambassador for Innovation in November 2015 and Flora’s research focuses on the value of Architects.
Morag Rose
Morag Rose is a PhD student in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at The University of Sheffield. Her research focuses on psychogeography, gender and walking in Manchester. Morag founded The Loiterers Resistance Movement (LRM) a psychogeographical collective dedicated to exploring, enchanting and critically engaging with urban space. They organise monthly public dérives (drifts), and other events including games of CCTV bingo and giant cake maps. In 2016 they will be hosting an exhibition at The Peoples History Museum to celebrate ten years of creative mischief, playing on the streets and asking awkward questions. Before starting her PhD Morag worked in community development and voluntary sector infastructure across Greater Manchester. She remains involved with a number of community groups and campaigns.
Steve Connor
Steve is co-founder and CEO of Creative Concern. An experienced strategist, writer and communications consultant, Steve specialises in ethical and sustainability issues, integrated campaigns, city strategies, brand development and creating strange installations out of trees, lights and beautiful type.
He is the former chair of Manchester’s Stakeholder Group on Climate Change and of the Northwest’s Regional Forestry Forum. He’s on the steering group of Manchester: A Certain Future, the advisory board of Salford University’s centre for Sustainable Urban and Regional Futures, a board member of the Community Forest Trust and on the University of Manchester’s General Assembly. He was formerly Communications Director at Sustainability Northwest and Head of Campaigns at the Vegetarian Society of the UK.
Steve previously chaired last years 4×4 Manchester events which explored regeneration in Manchester and is back this year to explore the topic of money.
Michael Martin
Michael is an ESRC Doctoral Researcher at the University of Manchester within the department of Planning and Environmental Management. Professionally he is a Planner (LRTPI) and Urban Designer and so his work sits naturally between the two.
Michael’s research demystifies assumptions associated with Temporary Urbanism, particularly the narrative of the temporary as an iconic, stylish and overtly radical condition in global, world cities. Instead, he takes a broader more inclusive approach to the diversity of everyday experiences in ordinary cities – the Core Cities of England.
He has worked as a Teaching Assistant in Urban Design since 2013, providing him the unique pleasure of teaching design to students from all over the world.
He has previously been a consultant in both planning and urban design. More recently as a research assistant he has worked on projects for the Manchester Museum and the Manchester Life Development Company.
Michael is also an Ambassador for the RTPI and promotes the planning profession to school pupils across the North West of England and Northern Ireland.
At 4X4 he discussed recession, austerity and that of temporary urbanism within England’s Core Cities.
Watch videos from the other 4×4 events by clicking the links below: