The panel comprises high-profile practitioners, such as Sir David Adjaye OBE, Hanif Kara OBE, Farshid Moussavi OBE and Sir David Chipperfield CBE, as well as academics, policymakers and members from community-led initiatives.

It also includes emerging talent in the built environment space and members who have relevant expertise in important areas, such as zero-carbon and sustainability, the safety of women and girls, and housing quality.

More than half of the new cohort are women and 45% come from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds.

The new group will support the Mayor’s updated Good Growth by Design programme to ensure that new buildings and public spaces will benefit all Londoners and will aid the capital’s recovery from the pandemic.

There is also a renewed focus on the need to counter racism and other forms of prejudice in the built environment sector.

•   Differing definitions of net zero could be stalling planet-positive construction with greenwashing, claims developer
•   Sadiq Khan pledges to implement Kerslake Review recommendations
•   Sadiq Khan and London Councils to discuss 'urgent need' to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings

The new MDA panel will work on three main objectives:

• supporting quality, sustainability and inclusion in the built environment, in line with the Mayor’s Good Growth by Design programme 
• shaping and supporting activities delivered as part of the London Recovery Programme
• being reflective of London’s diverse population and supporting the creation of an inclusive built environment, in which a spectrum of experiences and communities are valued and able to play a role in shaping the capital’s future

“I’m delighted to be working with this new group of experts,” said Khan.

“These MDAs, with their wealth of knowledge, expertise and skills across a wide range of industries, are key to ensuring that we build a capital all Londoners can enjoy and be proud of. 

“The Good Growth by Design programme is my plan to create a city that works for everyone — not only should new developments in London benefit existing communities, they should also be inclusive, support economic growth and help us tackle the climate crisis.  

“As we move into a post-pandemic world, we must ensure that we are building a better London for everyone – a safer, fairer, greener and more prosperous city for all Londoners, and my new MDAs are going to play an important role in reaching this vision.” 

Jules Pipe, deputy mayor for planning, regeneration and skills, added: “Working closely with the MDAs, as well as our various partner organisations, local authorities and other public bodies, is key to building London back in a fairer and greener way after the pandemic. 

“This new cohort are just what we need to help support and deliver our vision for good growth in London.”