The Ministerial Advisory Group has been supportive of the work of The Academy of Urbanism which has been considerable over recent years in Northern Ireland, including the joint publication with PLACE of an influential report “Government Action for our Urban Environment” in May 2011. 

The MAG and DCAL have supported and helped to sponsor the Academy’s Place Partnering event which will be taking place in Derry–Londonderry in late April as part of the preparations for the Congress.

I am therefore very pleased to send you the programme and booking form (see the link below) for The Academy of Urbanism’s 7th Annual Congress, to be held in Derry~Londonderry, winner of the Academy’s Great Town Award 2012 and also the UK City of Culture 2013.

The Academy has indicated to the MAG that by gathering groups of 8 or more delegates a discount of 25% is available and I would be pleased to assist with bringing people together for this discount. You can contact me directly at arthuracheson@hotmail.com

I have encouraged Members and Expert Advisors of the Ministerial Advisory Group to attend and I hope that built environment professionals and many others with an interest in their own places will be well represented
 
The theme of this year’s Congress is The Resilient City – Derry’s exceptional story will be used to explore the robustness and adaptability of place through themes of heritage and culture, community and social capital, economic regeneration and urban design.
 
Click to download the programme
Click to book online
 
5 great reasons at attend the Congress…
 
1 – A great international programme around The Resilient City, with speakers from Finland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Northern Ireland, and England
 
2 – A ‘place partnering’ approach to Congress that involves interactive workshops, where delegates work directly alongside the host community on current issues
 
3 – A special opportunity to experience the distinctive heritage and culture of Derry ahead of 2013, its year as City of Culture, when the place will change
 
4 – Visits to special venues like Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin (Stirling Prize Finalist), The Playhouse (BBC Restoration programme and winner of the 2010 BURA Award and 2009 RTPI Sustainability and Regeneration Award), the Historic Walls, Apprentice Boys Hall, Peace Bridge and Ebrington Barracks (winner of the 2011–2012 Irish Planning Institute Award for Place Making)
 
5 – A memorable experience to share with a colleague or group of friends. Come for a day, or ideally stay over the whole weekend!
 
The programme includes opportunities for guided walking and bus tours to meet the many key players responsible for Derry’s socio–physical resurgence over the past 20 years, to hear their stories and see the fruits of their labours, as well as hearing from a host of international speakers.

The Congress will be of interest to citizens, leaders, community activists, decision makers, academics, politicians, artists, entrepreneurs, social and economic development officers, urban designers, planners, highway and traffic engineers, architects, regeneration managers, public art officers, consultants, landscape architects, town centre managers, estate and property managers, developers,  all those interested in using design skills to develop new strategic systems – and everyone with a passion for great place–making.

If you want a fresh injection of enthusiastic urbanism to counter the gloom of recession, or simply to hear some truly inspiring stories, come to Congress VII – The Resilient City – Derry~Londonderry 9–11 May 2012.

For more information about the Congress and The Academy of Urbanism, please visit www.academyofurbanism.org.uk or contact Stephen Gallagher on 020 7251 8777. 

Cost			See registration from
Time			TBC
Contact			Arthur Acheson 020 7251 8777 arthuracheson@hotmail.com www.academyofurbanism.org.uk