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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
"The World Congress provides the rare
opportunity for urban management professionals worldwide to convene
under one roof to compare challenges, share ideas, and develop
innovative solutions. It is a can't-miss event where
meaningful collaborations and long-lasting relationships are
forged."
-Alfred C. Cerullo, III, President/CEO of Grand Central
Partnership
