Richard Laing is a Professor of Urban Collaboration at the Northumbria University, UK. He completed his Ph.D. at the Robert Gordon University in 1999. He is a Chartered Surveyor and trained chairperson and assessor for the RICS APC. He represented the RICS. His research concentrates on visualisation and its use in the public evaluation of open space, built heritage, and urban design. He is a Fellow of the RSA (Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce).