World Congress 2010
16-19 JUNE 2010 QUEEN ELIZABETH II CONFERENCE CENTRE LONDON
ATCM 5th World Congress London 2010. International Downtown Association

5th World Congress: Downtowns and Town Centres

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Every 3 years, practitioners, policy makers and stakeholders in town/city centre and downtown development, management and marketing come together to hear about good practice, explore new issues and challenges, and learn from one another. In 2007 we met in New York and in 2013 we will be in Montreal, Canada but this year we meet in London, England.

 

 

 

Interest in the 2010 event has been considerable. Over 100 papers have been submitted for the workshop and seminar programme (if you submitted a paper you will be hearing from us very shortly).

The economic downturn had a significant impact on many town/city centres and downtowns in large parts of the world and these centres now need to refine or redevelop their strategies to chart a way forward. Elsewhere growing populations and new activities are raising significant challenges for the role of town/city centres and how they might best be developed.

Vital and viable town/city centres and downtowns are attractive places that well serve their communities and reward investors. They also:

  • Reduce carbon emissions by offering a range of services and facilities in one location that can easily be accessed on foot, by bicycle and public transport
  • Encourage healthier lifestyles and lower obesity through being places that people explore on foot and walk into
  • Support ageing societies through being destinations that are designed to be attractive to older people thus helping them to stay active and reducing isolation
  • Promote community cohesion by being welcoming to all, offering opportunities for business start ups and creating places for interchange and interaction
  • Create local enfranchisement through engagement, pro-active involvement, sense of ownership and pride in the town/city centre or downtown by community and business representatives

Such results taken together across thousands of centres can provide a practical and measurable response to national and global challenges.

Why should you attend?

This is the event at which you can hear and discuss what is happening to town/city centres and downtowns across the world. More significantly you can compare your approach with the very best. This year there are four key themes, each of which affects every town and city centre and downtown area. As a delegate, you can follow one theme or mix them during the course of the event. Our four themes are:

  1. Places - what is being done around the world to make downtowns, town and city centres, and the urban areas they serve, better places? From the largest city to small market towns, there are successful and innovative examples that are helping centres emerge from the economic downturn and constructively plan for the future. Such initiatives are making centres better places to live, work, visit or invest in. This is your opportunity to hear about and learn from leading examples.
  2. People - how are those charged with promoting the vitality and viability of the world's centres responding? Do they have the right skills and knowledge? If not, how can these be identified and acquired? Are they able to engage stakeholders and communities effectively? The Congress explores what has been learned about the skills required for effective place making, development, management and marketing and offers you an opportunity to develop your own skills and knowledge.
  3. Partnerships - in many countries, partnerships have been shown to add value to initiatives aimed at promoting the vitality and viability of centres. Some are formally established whilst others are ad-hoc or informal. Some have been led by the public sector and others by the private sector or by the community. Some are 'top-down' and others 'bottom-up'. The Congress showcases examples of the different approaches. It enables existing partnerships to review their own performance and structure and helps those considering a partnership to understand what is required and adopt a suitable approach.
  4. Policy - from planning to transport, from housing to licensing, from taxation to social provision, from security to climate change, town and city centres and downtowns are affected by a raft of different policy areas. Across the world different approaches have been adopted. The Congress explores what is happening in several key policy areas and examines the impact the different approaches are having. The sessions are designed to inform and challenge those involved in policy making or implementation.

Who should attend?

Whether you were in New York in 2007 for the 4th World Congress or not, this is an important event to attend. It is the first international opportunity to explore how centres around the world have responded to the economic downturn and to explore how they are planning for the future.

Every year the concept of place making, development, management and marketing spreads further. More town centres, city centres and downtowns establish initiatives, more policy makers turn their attention to the challenges such centres face and more stakeholders engage in the process of making centres better. Interest in the 5th World Congress is coming from around the world. You should not miss the opportunity to participate.

The event will be of interest to:

  • Urban policy makers (national, regional and local government)
  • Downtown and Town/City Centre Management initiatives
  • BIDs/BIAs/CIDs
  • Local and regional government (planning; economic development; regeneration; transport; housing)
  • Retailers
  • Shopping centres
  • Property owners
  • Investors
  • Leisure and entertainment businesses
  • Market operators
  • Transport operators
  • Police and crime reduction partnerships
  • Community leaders
  • Researchers and academics
  • Other stakeholders in town/city centres and downtowns

Why London?

London is one of the world's most exciting cities. It is certainly a city you will want to bring your partner and family to. It offers excellent access to the whole of the United Kingdom as well as easy access by train, plane and ferry to the rest of Europe. Like all cities, it has changed enormously in recent years. So whether this is your first trip or you are a frequent visitor, there is bound to be something new to see.

The World Congress is being held in the heart of the city. As you enter the venue you can see Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. 10 Downing Street, Whitehall, Trafalgar Square, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace and Covent Garden are all within easy walking distance and nearly all of London's great sites can easily be reached. We have the best range of shopping in Europe and world-renowned theatres and night life.

There is no excuse not to have a memorable experience and plenty of time to do it - London has 17 hour days in June!

 What to do now

Hold the dates in your diary and plan on being with us in London. We will be providing further details of the programme shortly so you can arrange your whole trip.

Bookings for the event will open on Monday 8th February 2010.