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Edge Debate 113: The future of the city 2040

Can a review of the key emerging ideas and current urban planning trends, identify a path ahead for city makers?

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City 2040 project

There is little doubt that cities face unprecedented economic, social and environmental challenges over the next 20-year period. Yet, with the right policies and resourcing, cities could be uniquely placed to harness their human and environmental potential, guiding urban growth towards greater social and environmental equity.

The City 2040 project seeks to better understand how the future city of 2040 will change through a study of the critical issues that are changing our cities including; climate vulnerability, growth, health, resource efficiency, technology, governance and rights to access and use of land.

Produced by the Edge in collaboration with Taylor Wessing and the University College of Estates Management (UCEM), the project addresses the new and changing infrastructure of cities, how they are brought about and their impact on the housing, lifestyle and wellbeing of citizens.

Themes

In November 2020, the first series of CITY 2040 online debates tested a range of initial propositions with a diverse cohort of industry experts and city stakeholders. The conversation reflected on multiple and varying topics, including emerging patterns of living and working in cities, the impact of the Covid19 crisis and aspirations for a ‘green/clean’ recovery.

These lines of enquiry were explored through four core themes:

  1. Equity and Exchange

  2. Public and Private Land

  3. Clustering and Proximity

  4. The Impact of Clean Air

Objectives for the final debate

The key outcome of this debate will be the mapping of a collective, open vision for these aspects of the city of 2040. Only with such clear vision will it be possible to suggest the way ahead for city planners and policy makers. 

Our final session will review the Edge's draft recommendations with the aim of agreeing the outlines of a future vision for UK cities in 2040.

Chair:             Joanna Averley, Chief Planner, MHCLG 

Speakers:      Prof Peter Bishop, The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL

                         Prof Thomas Perroud, Université Paris II, Panthéon- Assas

                         Esther Kurland, Director, Urban Design London

                         Simon Birkett, Director, Clean Air in London 

Online:            Zoom

Timing:           Tuesday 16 February 2021, 17.00 – 18.30 (GMT)

To attend please register at: https://city2040_the-path-ahead.eventbrite.co.uk