RIAI and Academy of Urbanism (AoU) Conference - Networks and Magnets: The National Role of Regional Cities

The RIAI and Academy of Urbanism Conference will examine the conditions that are enabling small and medium-sized cities to achieve growth, prosperity and a good quality of life for all. The conference will take place online on Tuesday, 23 February and Wednesday, 24 February 2021, 09:00-13:00 GMT. The conference will bring together case study cities from Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe, including Eindhoven (NL), Freiburg (D) and the Oxford to Cambridge Arc (UK). Speakers include Minister Darragh O'Brien TD, RIAI President Ciaran O'Connor, Judith Sykes, Senior Director at expedition, and Professor Wulf Daseking, former Head of City Planning, Freiburg. 

For successive decades, while the capital cities of the UK and Ireland have prospered, smaller and medium-sized cities have seen inequality rise and productivity and investments fall. As a result, many of these cities have failed to propel themselves forward and embrace sustainable growth and a good quality of life for all.

However, through changes to local and national policies and trends in how people live and work, cities such as Cork, Coventry and Perth are beginning to attract people and work towards matching their potential as great places to live, work and visit.

Whether it’s the Project Ireland 2040’s strategy to “make Ireland a better country for all of its people” by spreading investment across cities, Perth’s ambition to be the most sustainable small city in Europe, or a united focus on the stakeholders between Oxford and Cambridge, cities and policymakers are beginning to think and act differently regarding size.

But how do these places ensure that they are maximising their potential? How do they reach consensus on costly issues such as the environment and infrastructure? And how do they ensure that all of this is balanced with the needs and desires of the people who live there?

Join us to hear from a range of case studies at different scales in Ireland, Scotland and England, as well as established leading success stories in continental Europe. Find out how smaller cities are prospering with a focus on city and regional structures and governance, health and wellbeing, connectivity and innovation.

Who will attend?

This event is aimed at those from across sectors, including policy, planning, architecture, urban design, economic development, local and national politics.

For any queries regarding this event please contact Stephen Gallagher or visit The Academy of Urbanism.