New Centre For Cities Report

Towns which were doing well in 1901 are still on top now says a new report by the influential Centre for Cities think tank. Cities Outlook 1901 takes data from the 1901 Census to trace the economic fortunes of cities in the UK over the course of the 20th century.  By providing fresh insight into successful urban economies at the beginning of the 20th century, the report helps us to understand what policy makers can do to improve the prospects of cities for the future. In particular, Cities Outlook 1901 finds that skills are the most important factor determining long-term urban success, and therefore should be a key area for policy intervention. Seven out of eight of the best performing cities today had above average skills levels in 1901, while 80 percent of cities with vulnerable economies in 2012 fall into the bottom 20 cities for skills levels in 1901.

Riots in North London

Public spending cuts and urban riots. Self explanatory.

Forum for Creative Europe

On Thursday 26 March the Forum for Creative Europe will take place in Prague. Organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic in collaboration with European Commission, the conference is one of the main events of the European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009. With over 50 speakers, artists, policy makers and practitioners from Europe and outside the Forum will be an opportunity to make the case for creativity in a world in turmoil.
Lia Ghilardi will be among the speakers and in her presentation she will discuss how cities can be more creative in the way they deal with competitiveness by focusing on their unique DNA defined across urban, social, human and cultural capital.

To follow the Forum live please go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J526Q-Wczbc
www.forumforcreativeeurope.cz/en