News from Peterborough City Council

A dynamic and creative project that will help promote Peterborough to international audiences could be showcased at the United Nations Urban Forum in New York.

 

The move was announced at a 'Perception Peterborough' conference today (Wednesday 22 October) when international political theorists, environmentalists, artists and entrepreneurs described their ideas to support the future development of Peterborough.

 

Keynote speakers included internationally renowned political and cultural adviser Benjamin Barber and United Nations environmental adviser Jan Gustav Strandenaes, who outlined his recommendation for Peterborough to attend the United Nations World Urban Forum to present its work as an example of best practice.

 

Speaking at the event, Peterborough City Council chief executive Gillian Beasley said: "When Arts Council East approached us with this exciting process it gave us an opportunity to focus the thinking of international experts and local people on how Peterborough can build an international reputation.

 

"It validated our thinking on the city's existing strengths and identified new opportunities that we can exploit as we pursue our objective to grow the right way for a bigger, better Peterborough."

 

The Perception Peterborough initiative was supported by Arts Council England, East; Peterborough City Council; Opportunity Peterborough; the East of England Development Agency; English Heritage; Sport England; Museums, Libraries and Archives; and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

 

Andrea Stark, executive director of Arts Council England, East said: "We know from experience that culture-led regeneration works, both in the UK and across the world. As a result of this process, Peterborough now has some new ways of thinking about the city and its opportunities. It has brought together a range of people who will be making a fresh and concerted effort to develop irresistible projects that will bring about change."

 

Opportunity Peterborough chief executive Steve Compton, added: "The Perception Peterborough project is seen as a vital addition to the wider growth and regeneration of Peterborough. This key initiative has identified opportunities to fill the gaps between the extensive visioning work that has been undertaken previously in the city. It gives the city's growth agenda a heart, reflecting the city's people and culture and providing a distinctly Peterborough flavour."

 

Under the Perception Peterborough process four workshops examined how topics such as social cohesion, environmental sustainability and the built environment can contribute to the city's reputation and its opportunities for future development.  The findings will help the city council and its partners develop future growth strategies.

 

One workshop supported the city's aim to become the UK's Environment Capital by developing new 'green' technologies and educating its citizens from an early age.

 

Another group focused on how Peterborough's underused public spaces, such as the river embankment, and physical 'pathways' can be enhanced to improve the built environment.  Participants also explored the interactions of the city's various populations and the positive impact of demographic change.

 

The education workshop emphasised the importance of integrating the new university centre into the life of the city, ensuring it provides new opportunities for local people as well as bringing new talent to the area.  It also supported moves for the university to promote environmental research, sustainability, finance and community needs to attract businesses and create new jobs in the city.

 

The Perception Peterborough process was designed specifically for Peterborough and builds on the city's existing regeneration and economic development plans, identifying opportunities for improvements.

 

The panel of international experts led discussions among local people, other stakeholders and professionals to challenge existing preconceptions about the city and portray a more dynamic vision that can be promoted to national and international audiences.

 

 

Notes:

 

The Perception Peterborough Process was supported by:

 

Peterborough City Council - a unitary authority providing all local government services to the people of Peterborough and its surrounding villages.

 

Arts Council England, East The Arts Council works to make great art accessible to everyone in the region by championing, developing and investing in artistic experiences that enrich people's lives.

 

East of England Development Agency (EEDA), one of nine English regional development agencies (RDAs). It is the driving force behind sustainable economic growth and regeneration in the East of England.

 

Opportunity Peterborough, a public / private partnership urban regeneration company established to lead the growth and regeneration of Peterborough by transforming the city's social, physical and economic environment. For further information visit: www.opportunitypeterborough.co.uk

 

Sport England East. Sport England East is a National Lottery distributor committed to increasing participation in sport in the region.

 

Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, East of England (MLA East), the key strategic agency for museums, libraries and archives in the region.   It connects people to inspiration through access to museum, library and archive collections and resources.

 

Heritage Lottery Fund East of England (HLF East), which gives grants to a wide range of projects involving the heritage of the region, distributing a share of the money raised by the National Lottery for Good Causes.

 

The partners commissioned creative and strategic consultancy Haring Woods Associates to manage the Perception Peterborough project. They were assisted by Proboscis, a non-profit artist-led studio which combines artistic practice with commissioning, curatorial projects, design and consultancy.

 

The international team of creative thinkers convened by Perception Peterborough included:

 

Benjamin Barber - internationally renowned political theorist and best selling author who has consulted political and civic leaders around the world including President Bill Clinton, the German Social Democratic Party, Colonel Muammar Qadhaffi of Libya and Governor Howard Dean. www.benjaminbarber.com

 

Jan Gustav Strandenaes an adviser to ANPED, the Northern Alliance for Sustainability. Jan is a consultant with the United Nations Environment Programme, with an expertise in global environmental issues and sits on UNEP's first Global Steering Committee to help foster inter-regional dialogue. http://www.anped.org/index.php

 

Ruud Kuijer an artist from Utrecht and one of the leading contemporary sculptors in Holland. www.ruudkuijer.nl/

 

Jeff Lederer - a registered Professional Planner and General Manager at the University of Waterloo School of Architecture in Ontario, Canada

 

Patama Roonrakwit - an architect, who has worked closely with people in urban poor areas for over 10 years and founded Community Architects for Shelter and Environment in Thailand http:www.casestudio.info