Global RICS Harris Debate 2026: Retrofit or redevelopment?

Overview

We are delighted to announce the return of the Harris debate, on the 24^th November 2026 at Great George Street and online. As cities around the world face increasing pressure to deliver housing, infrastructure and economic growth, the role of heritage in shaping urban development is under renewed scrutiny. Historic buildings are often seen as constraints on density and modernisation, yet they also represent significant cultural value and embodied carbon.

With the built environment under growing pressure to decarbonise, retrofit and adaptive reuse are gaining momentum as sustainable alternatives to demolition and redevelopment. However, these approaches can present challenges in terms of cost, viability and performance.

This debate will explore whether heritage protection supports or restricts sustainable urban growth, and whether the built environment should prioritise preserving the past or enabling the cities of the future.

Learning outcomes

Programme

17:30 – Registration and networking

18:00 – Welcome from RICS

18:10 – Welcome from Lord Bichard of Nailsworth KCB

18:15 – Keynote presentation: Preserving the past: Delivering the Future

Speaker: Simon Thurley, Historian and Heritage Expert

18:35 – Panel discussion: Retrofit or Redevelop: Meeting the needs of modern cities

Panellist: Henrietta Billings, Director, SAVE Britain's Heritage 

19:20 – Closing remarks from Lord Bichard of Nailsworth KCB

19:30 – Networking reception

20:30 – Event ends