Cross-Sector Approaches to Sustainable Infrastructure Planning

Lucy is head of Planning and Infrastructure at Defra, leading across government on planning and NSIP reform.

Priti Parikh is a Professor in Engineering Infrastructure and International Development and Director (Head of Department) of UCL’s Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction. She is the founder director of UCL’s Engineering for International Development Centre. This centre focuses on engineering solutions for human development and wellbeing; and researches locally acceptable water-sanitation-energy solutions in low-middle income countries and links with SDGs. She has a research portfolio of £6m and has published outputs in Nature journals.  

She has over 20 years of engineering industry experience in South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the UK with consultancies to include hands-on experience of designing infrastructure for slums in partnership with local communities. She was awarded the prestigious BBOXX/Royal Academy of Engineering Research Chair fellowship that focuses on energy access in sub-Sahara Africa through smart solar solutions. 

Priti was elected to be the Trustee of Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) where she provides oversight for their international strategy for 95,000 global members. She also sits on the board of Happold Foundation and Engineers Against Poverty to influence strategy on engineering and development.

Priti was named as one of the 100 most influential academics in the UK Government for her work in climate and sustainability by Apolitical and as the top 50 women in engineering in 2022. Priti’s research has influenced policy and practice especially the work around evidencing links between infrastructure and Sustainable Development Goals with governments and charities.