Urban Forums
cities@manchester's urban forums are a series of panel discussions on contemporary challenges facing cities. Each forum brings together speakers with different viewpoints, aiming to stimulate debate on issues of public concern.
Forums are held at the Anthony Burgess Foundation, Chorlton Mill, 3 Cambridge Street, M1 5BY.
Urban Forum - Manchester: Towards a Just City?
Tuesday 18 June 2013, 6-7.30pm at the Anthony Burgess Foundation, Chorlton Mill, 3 Cambridge Street, M1 5BY (followed by drinks / food reception)
Manchester like many cities at present suffers from growing divides, poverty and inequality. The Council has cut jobs and reduced services, while the centre of the city and surrounding retail high streets are blighted with a growing number of empty store fronts. With house prices stagnant or falling and unemployment levels across Greater Manchester continuing to rise, it is unclear how housing or labour markets can improve the living conditions of the local area. Some analysts point to possibilities for job growth from the creative industries and financial services sectors, but these opportunities remain as yet unrealised. In this research forum we bring together a number of stakeholders to explore where manchester is now, the challenges it faces and what it needs to do to become more at ease with itself and more socially just.
Panel:
Neil McInroy, Chief Executive, Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES); Allison Foreman, Project Development Coordinator, Greater Manchester Pay and Employment Rights Advice Service; John Holden, Deputy Director of Research, New Economy Manchester; Clive Memmott, Chief Executive, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce. Chair: Adam Leaver (Manchester Business School, University of Manchester)
Book (free) tickets: http://www.towardsajustcity.eventbrite.com/
Creating 'age-friendly cities': developing a new urbanism for all generations
Joint event with MICRA (Manchester Interdisciplinary Collaboration for Research on Ageing).
Tuesday 30 April 2013, 6-7.30pm, Anthony Burgess Foundation, Chorlton Mill, 3 Cambridge Street, M1 5BY
Ageing populations are an important feature of city life, with more people living into their 70s, 80s and beyond. But combining the interests of older populations with urban environments focused on attracting younger generations may result in conflict. How can the city of the future work to support all generations? What are the public spaces that need to be created to encourage a dialogue across generations? This research forum will tackle these and related questions drawing on current work in Manchester and across other European cities. The aim of the forum will be to highlight some of the challenges in bringing different age groups together but also the benefits and possibilities arising from new forms of solidarity.
Panel:
Stefan White (Manchester School of Architecture), Paul McGarry (Senior Strategy Manager, Valuing Older People Team, Manchester City Council) Graeme Henderson (Research Fellow, IPPR North). Chair: Chris Phillipson (MICRA, University of Manchester)
Book tickets: http://ageforum.eventbrite.com
Past Sessions:
Feeding the City: The Politics & Promise of Urban Food
Tuesday 19 March 2013, 6-7.30pm, Anthony Burgess Foundation, Chorlton Mill, 3 Cambridge Street, M1 5BY
Cities around the world are emerging as key locales for growing food. A variety of approaches are being piloted to enhance health and well-being, encourage local economic growth and self-sufficiency, enrich social cohesion and community development, and diversify urban greening and resilience. In this research forum, we will discuss the opportunities and barriers of urban agriculture and speculate on the future of growing food in cities.
Panel:
Graeme Sherriff (Manchester Architecture Research Centre, University of Manchester), Chris Walsh (Kindling Trust), Debbie Ellen (independent researcher), Liz Postlethwaite (Director - Small Things Creative Projects), Chair: Carly McLachlan, Tyndall Centre and Sustainable Consumption Institute.
Blog by panellists: Feeding the City: The Politics and Promise of Urban Food
Book tickets: http://foodforum.eventbrite.com/
2011-12 Urban Forum Full Schedule (Poster)
Using Market Forces to improve Education in Manchester: Possibilities and Challenges
Tuesday 13 March 2012, 6-7.30pm
The Government has committed itself to create independent state schools (i.e. academies and free schools) in the belief that this will raise overall standards. A positive view says that this will inject new energy into the system and, at the same time, usefully intensify competition within the education 'market-place'. There are, however, fears that this approach will further fragment the state education system and compound the disadvantage faced by children and young people from poorer backgrounds. This forum will bring together stakeholders with a wide range of view to debate this vital issue, aiming to develop understandings that can inform further developments in the city.
Panel: Aneez Esmail (Chair of Governors, Chorlton High),
Helen Gunter (School of Education, University of Manchester),
Stuart Leeming (New Islington Academy and Deputy High Master, Manchester Grammar), Kieran McDermott (CEO, One Education), Julie Thorpe (Co-operative College),
Chair: Gillian Evans (University of Manchester)
Towards a Sustainable Manchester?
Tuesday 12 June 2012, 6-7.30pm
In the context of the ever deepening financial crisis and a series of environmental uncertainities, attention has turned to how cities can be adaptable, resilient and sustainable. In addition to actions by government, there is growing acknowledgement that other 'local' groups will need to play a role in redefining what constitutes economic activities. Building upon their existing contribution, these groups will be required to be involved in the production of a more economically robust Manchester. This forum will bring together stakeholders with a wide range of view to debate this vital issue. In so doing, the aim is to develop understandings that can inform further developments in the city.
Panel: Charlie Baker, URBED (Urbanism, Environment and Design) Ltd,
James Evans (University of Manchester),
Todd Holden (Low Carbon Policy and Programmes, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce),
Neil McInroy, (Centre for Local Economic Strategies),
Chair: Andy Karvonen (University of Manchester).
Sustainability Poster.
Audio Recording of Event 12 June.
Ten Years After! What is the
Legacy of the 2002 Commonwealth Games for Manchester?
Tuesday 10 July 2012, 6-7.30pm
This July marks the tenth anniversary of Manchester's hosting of the 2002 Commonwealth Games. Although born out of two failed Olympics bids, the Games were regarded by many in the city region as an undoubted success. Indeed, the emphasis at the time on ensuring that the Games left a legacy for East Manchester has informed the planning of other large scale cultural and sporting events around the world, including the upcoming 2012 Olympics in London. Yet, while there were lots of good intentions ten years ago, not everything has gone to plan. The global economic downturn has not helped, while the 2010 election of the Coalition government has led to a number of changes in the local institutional environment. Together what these mean for the on-going redevelopment of East Manchester remains unclear. This Forum will bring together a range of stakeholders to debate the legacy of the 2002 Commonwealth Games, both for the people of East Manchester, and for the city region more widely.
Panel: Pete Bradshaw (Manchester City FC), Camilla Lewis (University of Manchester), Tom Russell (former Chief Executive, New East Manchester), Rev. David Gray (Growing Faith in Community Project). Chair: Kevin Ward (University of Manchester).
Audio Recording of Debate 10 July.