Esther Kurland is a planner and urban designer by background, who has developed a unique position as a key influencer and educator within the built environment and placemaking sectors. She has worked in local authorities, on the first London Plan at the GLA, and lead on planning issues at CABE. Esther has been Director of UDL since 2005, working closely with many partners to support good built environment design. Esther has also sat on many design review panels, steering groups and advisory committees, and is a non– executive director of the Office for Place.