Wednesday 8 May professor David Sanderson, director of the Centre for Development and Emergency Practice in the department of architecture, Oxford Brookes University, gave a lecture at the Oslo School of Architecture and Design, hosted by Habitat Norway.

THE ARCHITECT’S ROLE IN ADDRESSING URBAN VULNERABILITY AND DISASTER RESPONSE
Is the profession trained to play a role in addressing the most pressing contemporary urban challenges?

David Sanderson trained and worked in architecture before taking a Masters degree in Development Practice at Oxford Brookes University in 1991. Since then he has undertaken project management, training, research and consultancies in development and emergencies in over 30 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe and the Caribbean.

In 2006 Sanderson became CENDEP’s Director. He completed his PhD by published works in 2009, which brought together research and practice undertaken between 1995-2008 in urban risk reduction and livelihoods, and was conferred Professor in 2010.

Sanderson’s professional experience lies in urban poverty, disaster risk reduction and livelihoods. He has undertaken work for the UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID), Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), European Commission (DiPECHO, EC), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), World Bank (EDI Section), United Nations (UNDP/UNDESA), Action by Churches Together (ACT), British Council, Christian Aid, Tear Fund and the Mott Foundation. He also sits on several NGO committees and is an external examiner at Coventry University.