Successful cities
Promoting economic growth and sustainable development

One-week study programme 23 to 27 April 2012

About the programme

For generations people have moved from rural areas to larger urban settlements. Sometimes this has been rapid, sometimes the process has been more gradual.  Often urban development is not shaped by comprehensive plans and growth creates problems that are unforeseen.  Along with urban growth, urban challenges and deprivation have affected growing populations.  The consequences can be seen in poor health, housing, education, rising crime, unemployment and poverty, with adverse impacts on life quality and expectancy. Critically these challenges can undermine the potential that cities have for economic development.  This cycle can further compound social or environmental problems and even cause decline.

This pattern can be managed very differently and growth can be harnessed to benefit both city residents and city businesses.  However, this needs a breadth of understanding of all the main issues in play and a capacity for partnership working that makes sure decision makers are communicating and collaborating effectively with each other.  It requires a sense of direction that is linked to genuine economic opportunity and for public, private sector and voluntary agencies to work together to capitalise on opportunities for developing successful cities.

This study programme aims to explore the background to urban growth in the UK, which is now one of the most urbanised countries in the world, and to look at how the future is taking shape.  Despite the wealth of the UK, the fact is that poverty is concentrated in urban areas, in common with many other countries.  However, over the last twenty years there has been a growing understanding that cities can influence their own futures, providing that politicians and city leaders have the will to do so.  This is increasingly being seen as part of national policy to stimulate economic growth and to use that impetus to generate better quality of life as well as attracting the investment needed to sustain economic, social and environmental progress.  This approach is all the more relevant given the speed and impact of globalisation which means that even small cities have to understand international influences.

Who is it for

The programme is designed primarily for:

• Senior leaders in ministries, agencies, local government (mayors, chief executives, city managers, etc.) and other public bodies working on economic growth and city development
• Those responsible for civil service development and promoting better working across ministries particularly in the areas of health, housing, education, employment, transport and justice
• Senior representatives from outside government who have an interest in economic growth and the factors that can shape economic wellbeing, including spatial land use, labour skills and universities.

The study programme will

• Broaden participants’ understanding of the dynamics that have created cities in the UK and elsewhere and how those dynamics continue to influence city growth, within the framework of a global economy
• Provide opportunities for participants to share and discuss issues and problems arising from city growth and development in their own countries
• Increase appreciation of the need for public sector decision makers to work together, at all levels of government, and the need to include other players from the private and non-governmental sectors
• Extend understanding of the value of securing investment to underpin economic growth and how to use public sector capacity to encourage / stimulate economic development
• Expose participants to the need for effective leadership and governance arrangements that can deliver long-term strategic outcomes
• Introduce participants to key current and former experts and practitioners in the fields of urban growth and tackling urban poverty
• Identify aspects of UK city development that can be applied internationally.

What the programme will cover

The programme will consist of briefings, plenary sessions and visits to key organisations and practitioners. The programme will be delivered in London but its scope will be relevant to cities of all sizes. This will mean that economic, social and environmental challenges which confront all cities will be included.

• It will start with establishing the UK and international context in which city growth has taken place and will look at future trends
• It will move on to examining the fundamental importance of economic growth and the elements needed to achieve this, including infrastructure (transport, energy, ICT, water), labour market supply, higher education and marketing
• The programme will then consider ways of tackling social and environmental challenges (including public health, housing, deprivation, crime reduction and waste management)
• Finally the programme will examine city governance and the respective powers of national, regional and local politicians and other key decision makers.

The programme will involve meetings and discussions with those who have responsibility for or who have direct experience of the above. They will be able to outline issues in their respective areas of expertise and to exchange views in work group and plenary settings. Participants will be encouraged to share their thoughts and experiences throughout the programme.

Programme outline

We reserve the right to change the programme as necessary.

Language

The programme will be conducted in English. Participants will be expected to have a good working knowledge of the language.

Location and arrival arrangements

The study programme will be based in central London.  On request, PAI can assist in finding suitable hotel accommodation and can arrange travel to and from the airport.

Fees and other costs

The fee for this one-week study programme will be £1,860.  This includes tuition, travel to and from the airport in London, travel on scheduled visits which form part of the programme, and all documentation.  UK Valued Added Tax (VAT) will not be charged if applicants can provide written confirmation from their government or its accredited representative that they are employed by their government in furtherance of its sovereign activities.  In all other cases, VAT (currently 20%) will be charged in addition to the fee.  Payment in full must be received by PAI no later than 23 April 2012.  Cheques should be made payable to Public Administration International. Alternatively, PAI is able to invoice individuals or government agencies.  Payment by bank transfer is also acceptable.

Discount

We offer a 10% discount on the tuition fee if a funding organisation sponsors more than three participants in any one calendar year. Please ensure that when you book your fourth participant (in any one calendar year) you let us know so that we can apply the discount.

Insurance

Participants are advised to arrange travel and health insurance cover before leaving their home country.

Public Administration International (PAI)

PAI specialises in management consultancy and development services for organisations in and associated with the public sector worldwide. We provide advice and support for governments undergoing political, economic, structural and legislative change. Our extensive network of associates includes practitioners, academics and independent consultants. The promotion of good governance and best practice are our key objectives. This programme is one of a number of specialist UK-based study programmes designed to meet the needs of public services worldwide.

We also have extensive experience of designing tailor-made programmes (from one day to two or three weeks) which can be run in your own country or in the UK to meet the specific needs of groups or individuals at all levels within your organisation.

Programme Director

The Programme Director will be Brad Roynon who, for almost ten years, was Chief Executive of Southampton City Council.  Southampton is a city in the South of England which has undergone massive change.  Central to this was renaissance of the city and using economic development to underpin social change.  Prior to that, Brad was Chief Executive in Carmarthenshire in Wales, where driving forward economic improvement was vital after traditional industries had declined.  Brad was born and brought up in London and worked there for the National Health Service and for the London Borough of Richmond previously.  He has a broad understanding of what makes cities work, especially in drawing together partners from other agencies and organizations in both the private and public sectors, so that aims and objectives are shared and delivered.  He has a personal commitment to the challenge of making cities successful.

How to apply

Please follow the link to complete an online application form, alternatively you can download the brochure for this study programme and complete the attached application form. Please post or fax it to:

Clare Walters
Programme Manager
Public Administration International
10 Bayley Street
London, WC1B 3HB
UK

T +44 (0)20 7580 3590
F +44 (0)20 7580 4746
pai@public-admin.co.uk

How to contact us

For further information about this programme or our consultancy and development services, please contact:

Claire Cameron
Director
Public Administration International
10 Bayley Street
London, WC1B 3HB
UK

T +44 (0)20 7580 3590
F +44 (0)20 7580 4746
pai@public-admin.co.uk

Public Administration
International Ltd
10 Bayley Street London WC1B 3HB
Registered in Cardiff Number 2687571
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