Rewriting the Book?

Join our panel as they discuss how culture-led city regeneration can enhance economic competitiveness, community cohesion and a sense of place. 

RSA / Library of Birmingham debate

In September 2013, all eyes will be on Birmingham’s cultural and convention quarter for the opening of the new Library of Birmingham, the city’s flagship regeneration project. With a commitment to integrating the community and boosting innovation and growth, the project team has introduced a range of initiatives in partnership with education, business and cultural and community organisations - including offering opportunities for local unemployed people through a contractor apprenticeship scheme and widening access to creative and technological resources and activities.

With the economy in recession, can the project developers help to build on the city’s existing strengths, investing for the long term in the cultural and knowledge economies and creating spaces and delivering services which reflect local values?

We bring together an expert panel to discuss the regenerative potential of large culture-led development schemes. What are the key drivers of social renewal and the development of enterprise and how can cities ensure transformational change is community-driven, allowing greater local ownership and participation? What lessons can be learned from comparable schemes about strengthening and sustaining economic competitiveness and civic pride?

Panel to include: Munira Mirza, deputy Mayor for Education and Culture for London; Brian Gambles, Library of Birmingham project director and assistant director of culture, Birmingham City Council; Loretta Lees, Professor of Human Geography, King’s College London; and Anna Minton, writer and journalist.

Chair: Mark Easton, award-winning journalist and home editor, BBC News.