The KPF Principal joined students from the University of Oxford’s MSc in Sustainable Urban Development for a panel exploring how cities can become more equitable amid increasingly concentrated investment and ownership.
Held at The King’s Foundation’s Garrison Chapel in London, the discussion formed part of the program’s “Urbanism, Community and City-Building” teaching week, examining the relationship between large-scale development, private investment, community needs, and the public good.
Mustafa reflected on the increasing role of major landowners, developers, and international investors in shaping cities, and the opportunities and responsibilities this creates for architects. Drawing on KPF’s work around the world, he discussed how large-scale development can contribute to the wider city through public space, infrastructure, community amenities, and improved connectivity.
The conversation also explored the importance of collaboration between architects, developers, communities, and policymakers in ensuring that the benefits of development extend beyond individual projects. Mustafa emphasized that while architecture alone cannot address urban inequality, architects can use their role within the development process to advocate for more accessible, resilient, and inclusive cities.
The University of Oxford’s MSc in Sustainable Urban Development brings together an international cohort of professionals from across urban development and the built environment. Developed in close collaboration with The King’s Foundation and accredited through the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the program takes an interdisciplinary approach to sustainable urbanism, connecting academic study with professional experience to explore the social, environmental, and economic challenges shaping cities and regions.
