Challenges of Government Conference 2014: Flourishing Cities

Revitalising the city: How do urban spaces inspire us?

For thousands of years cities have helped inspire citizens. But cities are also often messy places, with overcrowding, pollution, lack of jobs and opportunities, and sometimes legacies of violent social conflict. Do these factors contribute to a generalized loss of love for our cities and if so, how can we seek to revitalize the city? What are some cities doing to foster a sense of community and democratic engagement amongst their citizens, and what role can art, architecture, and urban planning play in this process?

• Pedro Henrique de Cristo, Partner and Co-Founder, +D Studio // Design with Purpose, Brazil
• Jerome Frost OBE, Leader of Global Planning Business and UKMEA Consulting Practice, Arup (Chair)
• Gascia Ouzounian, Co-Director, Recomposing the City, Queen’s University Belfast
• Edgar Pieterse, South African Research Chair in Urban Policy and Director for the African Centre for Cities, University of Cape Town