This week's focus is on how design can affect our cities, ourselves, and our environment. From insights into the Moses-Jacobs urban battle in mid-century New York, to exploring the future of social housing in our European cities, this week is full of future-facing events to explore how designers can shape our worlds. 

Check back regularly to keep up to date with London's latest happenings and our weekly recommendations!

Transforming Social Housing - Stories from the UK and Europe | 16 May and Social Housing - Definitions and design exemplars | until 28 May

Image: RIBA

This debate is inspired by Karakusevic Carson Architects' new book "Social Housing", which explores designing modern social housing. In conjunction with this book launch event, RIBA are hosting a supporting exhibition which will draw together 24 case studies of social housing schemes from across Europe. This launch features a debate, with panellists including Paul Karakusevic (co-author of Social Housing and Partner at Karakusevic Carson Architects),  Christelle Avenier (Avenier Cornejo Architectes, France), Hans van der Heijden (The Netherlands), Frederic Druot (Frédéric Druot Architecture, France) and Sascha Zander (Zanderroth Architekten, Germany).

Citizen Jane: Battle for the City | Until 11 May

Image: Matt Tyrnauer, Citizen Jane: Battle for the City, 2017

Jane Jacobs is well-known for her efforts as an urban-planning-activist in New York throughout the 1950s and 60s. Her belief that a city is made by its people, and not by its buildings, was a radical statement at the time. This film screening at the ICA celebrates and explores the work Jacobs did to save the culture and communities of New York City against the 'blank-slate thinking' of Robert Moses. 

What can cities teach us about our societies? | 15 May

Image: The Museum of Architecture

The Museum of Architecture continues its theme of 'Architecture and Citizenship' with another event, which aims to help architects 'become active agents of social change'. This seminar will tackle the prediction of massive urban growth - a massive increase of 70% predicted by 2050, looking at how we currently live, and how we can look towards the not-so-distant future. 

New London Neighbourhood Tour - Olympic Park | 13 May

Image: New London Architecture

This walking tour will start with HOK's Olympic Stadium and ZHA's Aquatics Centre before moving around the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and surrounding areas. The regeneration of this section of London, since the 2012 games, has been made an example of modern urban planning; this walk will explore the ideas behind it.

Book for next week: Green Sky Thinking Week | 15-19 May

Image: TateHindle

Starting on Monday, is the annual Green Sky Thinking Week, from Open City. Now in its seventh year, this programme of events explores sustainable design and construction, covering the whole built environment industry. From discussions of PassivHaus design and sustainable construction to looking at how our health is directly impacted by our buildings. Many events are already fully booked, so be sure to reserve your place on events, and to join waiting lists.

Find more events in London here.

Also keep track of our weekly event picks for New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

Have an event you want to submit? Send it to Bustler for review here.