Share your insights at Making Active Places 2026

Share your expertise at the UK’s biggest placemaking and active travel conference.

Making Active Places 2026 is organised by Active Travel England, the government body enabling people nationwide to be more active by making streets safe and accessible for walking, wheeling and cycling.

Call for contributions now open

Making Active Places will bring together up to 800 delegates across placemaking, active travel, planning, health, transport and regeneration to discuss innovative ways we can create high-quality networks, routes and places for communities across the nation.

Please submit your proposal by Friday 16 January at 23:59. Late submissions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  

Conference themes  

We are now accepting submissions that align with the following themes:

People

People

Presentations, posters and submissions that showcase: 

  • examples of integrated transport schemes that connect communities or showcase excellent community ownership
  • preventative health programmes and innovative ways to support our ageing population and women/girls via active travel
  • case studies of projects that create vibrant, active spaces in communities with the greatest need 

Place

Place

Presentations, posters and submissions that showcase: 

  • neighbourhoods and community spaces that people want to spend time in
  • examples of holistic integrated transport schemes that connect communities or showcase excellent community ownership
  • practical sessions and workshops on designing active places 
People cycle on cargo bikes along path

Making the case

Making the case

Presentations, posters and submissions that showcase:

  • international case studies of high-quality regeneration projects
  • actionable guidance from successful monitoring and evaluation activities
  • examples of processes that improve delivery

Dates for your diary

12 December 2025: Call for contributions opens.

16 January 2026: Call for contributions closes.

13 March 2026: All applicants will receive an update on their submission.

22 and 23 September 2026: Making Active Places takes place at Aviva Studios, home of Factory International, Manchester.

Begin application