Cecily Chua

Cecily is an urban researcher and designer with a background in architecture. Before joining the Spring Cohort 2023 she was Director at Theatrum Mundi, a centre for research and experimentation in the public culture of cities. Cecily led a number of commissioned studies focusing on the creative industries, local economies, and cultural infrastructure, amplifying the voices of the artists, makers, writers, performers, and communities vital to the cultural life of our towns and cities.

She also taught on the MA Cities and Spatial Practices programmes at Central Saint Martins, exploring how the crafts of the stage can influence architecture and city-making. Earlier in her career, she worked as an urban designer at Publica. There, she was responsible for delivering area strategies and public realm design for several key sites in the West End of London.

Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

During her placement, Cecily focused on providing urban design expertise on large schemes across the borough. As a Senior Urban Design officer for the Earl's Court development, she focused on aligning the project with the council's placemaking framework, emphasising the need for a landscape-led approach. She also led the design of Community Infrastructure Levy-funded street improvement projects, which focused on upgrading public realm materials, creating opportunities for trees and greenery, and reducing parking spaces across the borough.