We have extensive experience of leading or participating in expert panels and assessment teams across the world. This includes city / neighbourhood-level evaluations and benchmarking, and judging panels for national, regional and global awards.
From 2012-2019 Kerri Farnsworth was the Head Assessor for the ‘European City of the Year’ award. Following a rigorous short-listing process, Kerri would then lead an international assessment team – all experts in a range of built environment professions – in an intensive assessment visit to each of the 3 finalist cities. Following the site visits she would then lead the production of in-depth reports for each city. The reports were based on a common template, that evaluated all aspects of each city, including leadership and governance; environmental & social sustainability; local character & distinctiveness; commercial vitality and viability; community & well-being; connectivity & functionality; social inclusion & equity; and potential for shared learning with other cities.
In her time as Head Assessor Kerri led visits & wrote reports on more than 20 cities in Europe, giving her an invaluable bank of detailed knowledge, experience and contacts. Summary versions of these reports are archived at https://www.academyofurbanism.org.uk/awards/.
Kerri also chaired dedicated seminars and debates by the finalist cities, both in English and Spanish, and was one of the hosts of the final Awards ceremony held annually.
