Creating tomorrow's liveable cities

CHAIR'S WELCOME

John Andrews, Consultant Editor, The Economist

09:10

DISCUSSION I: IDEAS TO REVOLUTIONISE URBAN LIVING
Much is being demanded of tomorrow’s urban planners.  The future urban utopia must be capable of supporting high-density living, yet foster community well-being and also be sustainable and ecologically sound.  It’s a tall order, but this discussion session will aim to elicit the key factors in creating a liveable city – from architectural design and aesthetics to transport, public services and community involvement – and assess their importance.

10.05

URBAN LIVEABILITY AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
Policymakers looking to find ways to boost business in their cities are exploring the relationship between liveability and economic growth. But how strong is that link? A presentation and discussion of key findings from an Economist Intelligence Unit survey and report.

Iain Scott, Managing Editor, Business Research, Economist Intelligence Unit

With a response and analysis from Mark Kleinman, Assistant Director Economic and Business Policy, Greater London Authority

10.55

KEYNOTE ADDRESS: A VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF UK CITIES

Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government

DISCUSSION II: MAKING CITIES WORK - DELIVERING RESULTS IN A DOWNTURN
With the new government’s austerity budget imposing significant constraints on local councils, the need for creative thinking is greater than ever in order to meet the demand for liveable cities while spending less. This session will look at best practice, case studies and ideas which have worked, and look at which are likely to have staying power amidst today’s economic realities.

CLOSING KEYNOTE: CITIES FOR PEOPLE

Professor Jan Gehl, Founding Partner, Gehl Architects

John Andrews, Consultant Editor, The Economist

In his 24-year career with The Economist, John has covered subjects as diverse as civil aerospace, the EU and the world of sport, and worked all over the world from London to Singapore to LA. He is a frequent broadcaster and public speaker.

Iain Scott, Senior Editor Industry and Management Research, Economist Intelligence Unit

As a senior editor at the Economist Intelligence Unit, Iain Scott's role involves planning and managing research programmes, surveys and reports on a range of business and technology issues, including global risk. Iain will reveal the findings of the latest EIU risk research report entitled: A new risk culture.

Sir Jeremy Beecham, Labour Member of the House of Lords

Former leader of Newcastle City Council and former President of BURA, an NGO providing an independent view on urban regeneration, Sir Jeremy will contribute a broad perspective on the needs of urban communities.

Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government

Against a background of spending cuts and austerity measures, the Secretary of State will share with us his vision on the future of cities and how the government will seek to support the development of thriving urban centres.

Rogier van der Heide, Chief Design Officer, Phillips Lighting

With over 20 years of experience in design of in the areas of lighting, products and architectures, Rogier will share his views on the difference that design can make to the urban living experience.

Lorraine Baldry, Chairman, Inventa Partners, and Board Member, Olympic Delivery Authority

Lorraine was chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority’s Planning Committee and of the Thames Gateway Project, and this, along with her extensive company board experience, means that she really knows what she’s talking about when it comes to meeting the challenges of delivery.

Oisin MacNamara, Director of Research, Business and Innovation; Professor of Knowledge Transfer, Northumbria University

Professor MacNamara will share his experiences from leading the innovative programme “Urban regeneration: making a difference” – an ambitious initiative bringing together academia and local communities to address issues such as crime, community cohesion, health and well-being and enterprise.

Justin Davis Smith, Chief Executive, Volunteering England

In this role heading up England’s leading volunteering development agency, Justin will tell us how volunteering can empower communities to change their living environment for the better, a share case studies and success stories.

Kate Henderson, Chief Executive, Town and Country Planning Association

Representing the leading-edge think-tank TCPA , England’s oldest environmental charity - which campaigns for the reform of the UK’s planning system, Kate’s views will add a valuable dimension to the discussion on “ideas to revolutionise urban living”.

Jan Gehl, Co-founder and Partner, Gehl Architects

Award-wining architect Jan Gehl is also Professor of Urban Design at the School of Architecture in Copenhagen, Denmark. In his work, he has a strong focus on the facilitation of public life in public spaces – to Professor Gehl design always begins with an analysis of the spaces between buildings. His views on the liveable cities of the future will provide a thought-provoking close to the conference.

Simon Warren, Chief Executive, Wolverhampton City Council

Simon has been instrumental in driving Wolverhampton City Council’s collaborative ventures with public and private sector partners to rejuvenate the city using “smart” technologies. Here, he will share his views on how this will help invigorate the private sector and create cost efficiencies.

Mark Kleinman, Assistant Director, Economic and Business Policy, Greater London Authority

Mark is responsible for providing an integrated policy development and delivery service to the Mayor and his officer across business and economic policy and as an extensive background in urban economic and policy. We will have a chance to hear his response to the key findings of the EIU’s research paper on “Urban liveability: Designing cities that work”

About Phillips

As a major player in the global lighting, healthcare and consumer lifestyle industries, Philips aspires to help define the Liveable Cities challenge as well as simple next steps for its solutions through a series of dialogues with experts, business and policymakers together. We are committed to improving citizens’ health and well-being across the world by integrating technologies and design into people-centric solutions around the brand promise of “sense and simplicity”. For instance, with new lighting technologies, we want to make people feel comfortable, secure and at home as well as making cities more energy efficient. We enable a healthy lifestyle in cities and contribute to the availability of public services such as healthcare.

The Philips Centre for Health and Well-being contributes to defining solutions for issues that matter most to people and with our Liveable Cities Award we celebrate simple solutions, enabling people to turn ideas for improving city living into reality. Our Philips Index on Health and Well-being gives citizens around the world a voice about what they care about.

For more information visit www.because.philips.com

Jan Gehl, Co-founder and Partner, Gehl Architects

Award-wining architect Jan Gehl is also Professor of Urban Design at the School of Architecture in Copenhagen, Denmark. In his work, he has a strong focus on the facilitation of public life in public spaces – to Professor Gehl design always begins with an analysis of the spaces between buildings. His views on the liveable cities of the future will provide a thought-provoking close to the conference.

To download Jan's presentation click here

Iain Scott, Senior Editor Industry and Management Research, Economist Intelligence Unit

As a senior editor at the Economist Intelligence Unit, Iain Scott's role involves planning and managing research programmes, surveys and reports on a range of business and technology issues, including global risk. Iain will reveal the findings of the latest EIU risk research report entitled: A new risk culture.

To download Iain's presentation click here