CMBFebruary11

City Matters Bulletin February 2011 - brought to you by Urbanicity - web version

Welcome to the February 2011 edition of City Matters, keeping you up to date with the latest news from the urban world.

Urbanicity update

News from the urban world

Events News and Features

Events Calendar

Education News and Features

CURRENT CONFERENCE ALERTS

Global City - Share insights with Mayors and City Leaders

Final Registrations - Global Greenbelts Conference

Asia Pacific Cities Summit - Registration now open

Registration open - EURA 2011: Cities without limits

World Water Week 2011 - Abstracts deadline

Call for abstracts - EURA Conference 2011

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URBANICITY UPDATE

CHRISTCHURCH EARTHQUAKE APPEAL

As you may know Urbanicity is headquartered in New Zealand. Last week the city of Christchurch suffered a devastating earthquake. The loss of life, infrastructure and habitat is appalling.

Urbanicity is calling on the world to support the people of Christchurch in their attempts to rebuild their lives and their city.

Please make a donation at: http://www.christchurchearthquakeappeal.govt.nz/

How much you give does not matter - every donation will help. We thank you for your support.

Jeremy Flay

Chief Executive

Urbanicity

22 new events for 2011 published this month at our online events calendar - far and away the most comprehensive in the world - please let us know if you have an urban related event you would like listed.

688 new subscribers to City Matters in February - just over 121,000 in total.

57 urban news stories published this month - keep up to date with news as it happens

NEWS FROM THE URBAN WORLD - 20 most popular stories for February

European Union, UN-HABITAT strengthen ties
Key high-level European officials joined the representatives of international institutions at the European Parliament in Brussels for wide ranging talks on urban matters and global urban development.

Dexia and CEMR publish 2010-2011 edition of Key Figures on Local and Regional Europe
"Key Figures on Local and Regional Europe, published by Dexia and the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), presents a series of comparative indicators, in the form of information sheets, on the organisation and finances of local and regional authorities in the European Union in 2009.

‘Open Cities’ promotes open innovation within governments
The success of cities is linked to their efficiency, in reducing transaction costs and providing services. However, in order to maintain this success, cities have reinvented themselves many times through history. Today, Information Technologies are doomed to be the key driver of a new wave of innovation in cities that will lead, one more time, to their reinvention.

First public wind farm developed by local authority
The first public wind farm to be developed by a local authority and not through private funding was inaugurated in January 2011 in the municipality of Montdidier in France.

The City of the Future is an Air Hub
New Songdo City in South Korea is the model for new cities, according to Greg Lindsay and John D. Kasarda, who argue that its airport is its most important element.

Moving Past Traffic in Perugia, Italy
The small town of Perugia, Italy has left its traffic worries behind by implementing various driving restrictions and transportation solutions like escalators and a "minimetro".

Copenhagen takes its intercultural engagement further
With the explicit goal of becoming the most inclusive major city in Europe, Copenhagen launched a new three-year programme entitled Engage in CPH. The programme makes use of many of the dimensions of the Intercultural Cities approach and focuses on three specific goals from Copenhagen’s Inclusion Policy 2011-2013.

The top 11 urban planning initiatives for 2011
The Municipal Art Society of New York has released its top 11 initiatives for 2011, on which it plans to focus its advocacy and programming efforts this year.

Planning for Kids Makes Cities Better for All
While some cities have focused planning efforts on making their public spaces more accessible for the elderly, some argue that the age group they should be focusing on is kids.

"Buy Local" Campaigns Making a Difference
A national survey of independent businesses found that those in communities with an active "buy local" campaign experienced significantly stronger revenue growth in 2010 compared to those located in areas without one.

Making Room for a Planet of Cities
At present rates of density decline, the world’s urban population is expected to double in 43 years, while urban land cover will double in only 19 years, according to a new report launched today by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy and supported by Cities Alliance and the World Bank.

Western Cities Among the New Sustainability Rock STARs
A new sustainability standard, akin to LEED for buildings, is being tested for entire communities. ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability is developing the STAR Community Index with the U.S. Green Building Council, the Center for American Progress and the National League of Cities.

Europe Comes Down Hard on Cars
Many European cities are reversing decades-long trends of accommodating automobiles and are eliminating parking and putting tougher regulations in place, according to a new report.

Urban Roads May Be Safer than Rural Ones
A new study of federal data on fatalities per 100,000 people and per 100 million miles driven finds significant differences in urban and rural roads.

A New Mega City is Born
China plans to create the world's largest mega-city, which will be geographically 26 times larger than Greater London and double that of Wales.
The plan calls for the adjoining of nine separate cities into one massive, yet cohesive mega city.

Obama: catching up with urban development in Europe and China
U.S. President Barack Obama said in his State of the Union address on Tuesday that America would have to work harder to catch up with new urban infrastructure and advances in Europe and China.

The Challenges of Multifunctional Historic Centres
Historic cities have always been multifunctional centres; this feature is an added value to the attractiveness and quality of urban life but it is also today a challenge.

Modernising Belgian local authorities through use of IT tools
A software-based project called CommunesPlone provides Belgian cities and municipalities with a number of IT tools so as to help them become more modern and autonomous in terms of information and communication technology.

Sustainable energy: CEMR welcomes new technical assistance for local and regional projects
The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) welcomes the setting up of a new technical assistance for local and regional projects on energy efficiency and renewable energy, as announced by the European Commission on 18 January 2011.

City prize nominations open
Nominations for the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize 2012 are now open till 31 March 2011, the organizers announced.
The Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize is a biennial international award to recognise individuals and organisations for outstanding contributions to the creation of vibrant, liveable and sustainable urban communities around the world.

To read the full stories and more news, please visit http://www.urbanicity.org/Site/News/default.aspx

To submit a news story to Urbanicity, contact Jeremy Flay

EVENT FEATURES

First Announcement - An International Workshop on Innovation, Diversity and Sustainable Development in Areas of Social Vulnerability

Center for Rebuilding Sustainable Communities after Disasters, University of Massachusetts Boston & Chair in Multiculturalism , University of São Paulo, Brazil
November 17-18, 2011

This workshop aims to discuss strategies for the empowerment of residents in the areas of social vulnerability and the implementation of public policies with a sustainable basis, in such areas. We are interested in examining the following issues, amongst others, and welcome papers/proposals related to them:

Strategies for sustainable development in areas of social vulnerability
Strategies for population empowerment and the elimination of humiliations connected to social vulnerability and/or gender, age, ethnic, race, sexual orientation and disabilities
Children and youth care and empowerment in areas of social vulnerability
Strategies for sustainable urbanization against flooding and other kind of disasters due to climate changes or lack of public policies
Establishing indicators of social vulnerability and sustainable development
Strategies for fundraising to assist in the development of vulnerable areas before and after disasters

Workshop participants – who should attend
We welcome interdisciplinary approaches and proposals presented by scholars, researchers, public policy makers, governmental representatives and Non-Governmental Organizations.

Workshop location - University of Massachusetts Boston, USA

For further information and registration: http://www.mccormack.umb.edu/centers/crscad/idsd.php or e-mail: crscad@umb.edu

Last Chance to Register - Greenbelts: Local Solutions for Global Challenges
March 22nd – March 24th

Don’t miss your chance to attend the first ever Global Greenbelts Conference from March 22nd to March 24th, 2011 at the Radisson Admiral Hotel in Toronto, Canada. Greenbelts: Local Solutions for Global Challenges brings together policymakers, practitioners, and advocates from around the world, while mixing panel discussions and site visits to Ontario’s Greenbelt to highlight the potential of Greenbelts to help manage urban growth, sustain farming and the vibrancy of surrounding communities, and protect valuable ecosystems.

The Conference will hear from over forty-five speakers from nine countries across the globe. Other highlights include world renowned author Margaret Atwood, a laughter filled lunch with Second City, one of the world’s leading sketch-based comedy ensemble, and a special performance by Juno award winning and three time 2011 Juno nominee, Sarah Harmer.

Registration fee: CDN $250 + HST

To register for the Conference or to learn more visit: www.globalgreenbeltsconference.ca

Full programme now available for download - Global City 2011
15-17 March 2011, Abu Dhabi

VISIONARY VALUES FOR SUSTAINABLE CITIES

Last days to register for Global City 2011, Abu Dhabi – the only international forum where public and private leaders meet to exchange best practice and share sustainable urban strategies.

Hosted by the Abu Dhabi Government and taking place 15-17 March 2011 at the Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, Global City in its 5th edition will focus on the integral role of values and identity in shaping successful, sustainable cities.

The conference programme, which is now complete, reflects the Abu Dhabi model of sustainability for cities, covering the four pillars of sustainable development: environment, culture, society, economy.

Highlights of GC11 include:

Keynotes by

- Dr Jacques Attali on Towards a civilization of sustainable cities
- Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council: Abu Dhabi Vision 2030
- Herbert Girardet: Regenerative Cities – looking beyond sustainability
- Hon. Adrian M. Fenty Mayor, Washington, DC (2007-2011): Running a city like a private sector business

The Leaders’ Panel – Mayors and CEOs from world cities discuss what it means to build a city identity

Masterclasses: Practical, interactive sessions with expert advisors on the role of branding and culture for city growth and prosperity – find your city’s DNA!

Site Visits to the most innovative and cutting edge projects in the United Arab Emirates! See for yourself what everyone is talking about!
GC11 is held under Under the Patronage of HH General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and is hosted by - Abu Dhabi Council for Economic Development - Municipality of Abu Dhabi - Department of Transport - Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council - Western Region Development Council – Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Over 30 Mayors and Leaders from all over the world have already confirmed their presence at Global City 2011, Abu Dhabi. Among the cities represented are:, Washington DC, Phoenix, Cincinnati, Singapore, Copenhagen, Brazzaville, Kampala, Rome, Ulanbataar, Selangor, Helsinki, Penang, Paris, Florence, Ferrara, Salzburg, Turku, Brussels, Nairobi, and many more!

Book your seat among the world’s city leaders on www.globalcityforum.com

Call to Register - Counter Terror Expo 2011

Counter Terror Expo is the annual professional event delivering both focus and clarity to the complex and multifaceted task of protecting people and assets from those with the intent and determination to strike out.

The event brings the world's leading experts in the field from within government, the armed forces, security services, law enforcement and academia, together with industrialists at the cutting edge in developing the tools necessary to combat the scourge of terrorism.

Counter Terror Expo comprises a centrepiece conference programme, showcase exhibition and extensive programme of highly specialised workshops, which reflect the ever changing dynamics of the counter-terrorism world. To view the 2011 conference programme please visit www.counterterrorexpo.com/conf2011urban

Counter Terror Expo will be held next in the Grand Hall of the Olympia Exhibition & Conference Centre in London, 19-20 April, 2011.

Registration is now live. To Register for this event please visit www.counterterrorexpo.com/regurban

Brisbane – Australia’s new world city – will welcome more than 1,000 delegates from over 100 cities to the 2011 Asia Pacific Cities Summit (APCS) between 6-8 July 2011.

The Summit, themed ‘The Business of Cities’ will feature presentations and case studies profiling sustainability, connectivity and managing rapid growth in our cities over the coming decades.

The APCS is a Brisbane City Council initiative, supported by the Queensland Government as Principal Partner and is the region’s premier business and civic forum designed to drive economic growth and provide a springboard for businesses to enter the fastest growing market in the world – the Asia Pacific.

Delegates can participate in a government, corporate or young professional capacity. They will experience an exciting program of high profile international keynote speakers, plenary sessions, expert presentations and international case study sessions. They can also participate in the business matching program, official lunches and dinners (including an Aussie-style welcome barbeque, the gala dinner and closing lunch), access the Trade Market Square and have the opportunity to join the Lord Mayor of Brisbane for a morning exercise walk and breakfast.

For further information or to register your attendance, please go here to visit the Summit website.

Programme Announcement and Earlybird deadline - REAL CORP 2011

CHANGE FOR STABILITY: LIFECYCLES OF CITIES AND REGIONS
The role and possibilities of foresighted planning in transformation processes

18-20 May 2011,
Zollverein World Heritage Site, SANAA Building,
Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

www.corp.at

The detailed (draft) PROGRAM for REAL CORP 2011 conference is available at:
http://www.corp.at/Download/CORP2011/CORP2011_Programme.pdf

Earlybird registration rates are available until March 15 - register at www.corp.at

The conference takes place in Stockholm 22-25 May 2011. Registration is now open.

"Cities of the Future" has been designed for politicians, urban planners, architects, water specialists, environmental, energy and transport professionals, and many other interested individuals.

Planning for the development of water infrastructure is too often overlooked. Therefore it is our aim to deepen the interaction between planners and water professionals - and to show the strength in this new and innovative focus.

The delegates will meet, listen to and interact with people who have an enormous experience from sustainable building processes and techniques. Keynotes and other presentations, site visits and workshops form a unit that will give the delegates a unique planning experience.

“Cities of the Future” is one of the leading programmes from the International Water Association. Its purpose is to address the emerging challenges in cities and develop new visions and concepts towards an ecologically sustainable future in old or new, big or small, growing or shrinking cities.