URGE at the World Design Congress September 9-10

This September, the Barbican takes centre stage in the global design world as it welcomes the 34th World Design Congress. The Congress returns to the UK for the first time in over 50 years and URGE will be there for this once-in-a-career event.

Curated by the UK Design Council, the Congress will focus on how designers might take on their most critical brief to date: designing a regenerative future for all.

As much more than a trade fair, the Congress promises a festival-style experience with a wide variety of sessions from inspirational keynotes to unconferences.

In a programme packed with talks, workshops, and exhibitions, we’re spotlighting three sessions featuring URGE co-founders Michael Pawlyn, Sophie Thomas, and Alexie Sommer. Joined by other leading voices, they’ll explore diverse perspectives on some of the most urgent challenges of our time.

These 'Hive' sessions should be open for booking in the coming weeks. Check the programme page for further details here.

Online passes are just £5+VAT.

Interested in a pass for one or both days? There’s still time - book here.

Day 1

Tuesday Sep 9 . 14:00 - 15.30 (UK time)

Waste Not, Want Not: From Waste to Wonder with URGE co-founder Sophie Thomas

Waste isn’t inevitable: it’s a design flaw waiting to be fixed. This dynamic in-person session explores how to radically rethink waste from the ground up through design, business, innovation, and policy.

Hear from Adam Fairweather (Smile Plastics), Jo Barnard (Morrama and Design Declares!), Paula Chin (WWF), and Sophie Thomas (etsaW Ventures and URGE) on how joined-up action transforms waste streams into value chains.

Through real-world examples, you’ll see how circular thinking can be scaled, from redesigning business models and reimagining material flows to influencing policy and sparking cross-sector collaborations.

You’ll leave with fresh insights, practical strategies, and the connections you need to help make waste our most valuable resource.

Day 2

Wednesday Sep 10 . 14:00 - 15.30 (UK time)

Thriving Cities: Designing for Future Prosperity with URGE co-founder Michael Pawlyn

What will it take to create cities that can flourish in a changing climate? This hybrid (in-person and online) session explores both concepts and strategies, from walkable neighbourhoods and zero-waste districts to climate-smart mobility systems.

Hosted by global design and engineering leader Arup, urban pioneers including Joanna Rowelle (ARUP), Hélène Chartier (C40), and Michael Pawlyn (Exploration Architecture and URGE) will explore how we can design cities that are resilient, regenerative, and ready for the future.

You’ll discover actionable strategies to create places that learn from nature, restore biodiversity, support economic vitality, and foster inclusive, vibrant communities.

Wednesday Sep 10 . 14:00 - 15.30 (UK time)

Ideas to Action: Workshop with Design Declares! and URGE co-founder Alexie Sommer

How are Design Declares! chapters in Australia, Ireland, and Brazil mobilising the global design community to drive meaningful change?

This in-person, hands-on workshop turns climate ambition into tangible action. Participants will dive into an immersive session using bespoke climate action cards to map spheres of influence and start to co-create a 12-month action strategy tailored to their practice or business.

Whether you're just starting or ready to go further, you'll leave equipped with practical tools, global inspiration, and a renewed sense of agency.

Design Declares have co-created a set of climate action cards previously featured in the URGE newsletter and created with input from the URGE community. They bring together a unique collection of planet-positive lessons, advice and steps you can take right away, and will be available at the World Design Congress.

Your ideas, your actions, your creations can shape what happens next.