Sade Ryan is a 2023’s Michael Welbank scholarship recipient
I am grateful to be given the opportunity to put myself forward for the Michael Welbank Scholarship. I would say I’m a student of life and someone who is always seeking ways to improve and understand my surroundings. Studying planning has already taught me so far the various routes we can adopt as we seek to improve and make more sustainable our environmental surroundings.
Two years ago I was a receptionist in an architects’ firm, peaking into the designer's minds and daydreaming of my own contribution to the built environment. After a leap of faith, I harnessed my burgeoning curiosity, which was bolstered by a trip to Miami and watching an RTPI Young Planners’ YouTube video on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Town Planning. I was keen to learn more about SDGs and made the decision to move into this field. Additionally, my desire to see more inclusive solutions to planning goals solidified further my desire to become a part of the profession responsible for achieving those goals.
Consequently, I am now a student RTPI member and a woman from an underrepresented background in my second year of studies on the Urban and Environmental Planning undergraduate degree at London South Bank University, an RTPI-accredited planning school.
Being a Londoner and living in the capital affords me a great opportunity to witness first-hand the scale and speed of urban change, and the physical and social impacts that produces. The site of the campus, Elephant & Castle, is a classic example of an area of London that is experiencing very significant changes in terms of its look, feel, and community makeup.
Since starting my course, my journey into planning has been fulfilling. It’s worth noting, however, that it's nothing like I expected it to be! The broadness of the subject and the modules have allowed me to explore and become familiar with planning via various multiple different dimensions of planning.
For example, In my most recent assignment on environmental impacts, my chosen topic was green buildings. My enthusiasm for studying this topic derives from my wish to explore the latest strategies for sustainable solutions in the planning and building sectors more and has contributed to me wanting to get into sustainability, an area I am keen to get involved with beyond my course. Specifically, green buildings are something I strongly feel our beautiful city of London can and should benefit from.
With my passion for green buildings and design, I believe I would be able to contribute positively to facing up to the planning challenges in London.
