The INTA30 Congress will address 3 main themes : Competitiveness, Creativity and Community. Below is an outline of the issues that will be addressed by the participants with the help of eminent international practitioners. CREATIVITY : A TOOL FOR URBAN DEVELOPMENT Creativity and innovation are strengthened and enriched when the key functions are located close together. So spatial policies that prioritise higher densities for urban development directly support the growth of knowledge assets and the higher value economic functions that these attract. This in turn produces a stronger property market for renewal and upgrading of the urban area. Knowledge based economic functions seeking to locate near to the vibrancy of the urban centre will progressively develop and upgrade the rest of the agglomeration areas. This reduces perceptions of sharp distinctions between the centre and the suburbs, and also reduces pressures for rural and green belt locations. Knowledge economy functions which still require large urban fringe sites are likely to be more environmentally friendly than their traditional manufacturing predecessors. Prioritising the city as a key economic focus creates a positive climate for the renewal and enrichment of inner urban communities. This in turn puts a major responsibility on cities to develop innovative approaches to education, skills, employability and the design of public buildings and realm. COMPETITIVENESS : RAISING PROFILE AND PERFORMANCE OF CITY AND REGIONS Greater understanding of the pivotal role of post-industrial cities in advanced economies is now focusing more attention on the changing nature of relationships between cities and regions. The increasing use of the term ‘city-region’ or "metropolisation" reflects the growing economic significance of this relationship. Competitiveness generally relies on structural characteristics built up over long periods of time. But there is evidence that cities can put in place strategies which do change their relative performance – often by combining longer-term structural improvements with short term initiatives. The most competitive regions contain the most competitive cities. The relationship between cities and their subregions emerges as an increasingly important issue in spatial economic strategy. COMMUNITY : DEVELOPPING SUSTAINABLE STRATEGY The links between economic competitiveness and social inclusion is rather evident. Cities are concerned that economic success could exacerbate social divisions. Evidence shows that the most competitive cities have the lowest rates of unemployment. Critically these cities also have the most skilled and better educated workforces – thereby highlighting the pivotal role of investment in ‘human capital’ for achieving both economic and social policy goals. However, cities which are successful in reducing the ‘breadth’ of social exclusion also need specific strategies for addressing the more intractable manifestations in depth. SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES : A DEFINITION In December last year European Ministers for Urban affairs agree on a broad definition of sustainability that applies well to all urban situations in many countries of the world. Sustainable communities are places where people want to live and work, now and in the future. They meet the diverse needs of existing and future residents, are sensitive to their environment, and contribute to a high quality of life. They are safe and inclusive, well planned, built and run, and offer equality of opportunity and good services for all. For more information, CLICK HERE.