Flourish Economics’ Post

WATCH ON DEMAND: Missed our recent CROSSROADS virtual events? Never fear – recordings of each panel discussion, expertly moderated by world-renown advisor, author and urbanist Prof Greg Clark CBE FAcSS are now available for on-demand viewing: https://lnkd.in/e2P3b3tQ Timed with the launch of CROSSROADS – a comprehensive survey of more than 10,000 people across 10 countries – these virtual events brought together diverse panellists from around the world to unpack the challenge of promoting fair and fit-for-purpose infrastructure, from one generation to the next.   CROSSROADS presents a fascinating snapshot of community sentiment – including multi-generational preferences, priorities and perspectives – through an infrastructure lens. The key findings from this wide-ranging study set the scene for a series of engaging panel discussions exploring how we can make the right decisions today, to help chart a course to a more equitable infrastructure future, tomorrow.   Discover our panellists’ value-adding insights here: https://lnkd.in/e2P3b3tQ   #CROSSROADS #FutureCommunities #PowerofCommitment

How can we create sustainable, smart and connected communities? Join me for a panel discussion during Smart Cities Connect week in Raleigh!

🏙️ How to Transform Cities: A Live Session with Lev Gordon Join us for a special live session with aphrodites.gardens and Lev Gordon, one of the founders of Living Cities Earth organization Lev will share his experience on how to organize meaningful conversations within communities, how to integrate different voices in the city, identify key problems, create shared vision of the future and effective solutions. Drawing from the work of 100 co-founders of the Living Cities Earth from all over the planet, Lev will show how cities can be transformed for the better. During this session, we will engage with participants, listen to their concerns, and gather key issues to be addressed in future strategic discussions. This is a chance to see how such sessions work and how we can initiate positive changes together. 2 October, Wednesday 13:30 - 15:30 GMT Live stream on LCE's instagram https://lnkd.in/djV4QsU3 How to prepare for the session: 1. Make a list of 2-3 problems you see around that you would like to solve. 2. Think of 2-3 actions or solutions that would make you and other people happy, such as new services, green spaces, or other improvements.

Cities in the spotlight

Worth to watch

The news today reminds us how much politicians matter, even in countries far away. There is hardly ever news that remind us how much civil servants matter. Yet whilst politicians may 'make America great', it is civil servants who make our regions and cities liveable and enjoyable. It is very much up to them to make places great. Ironically, nobody prepares civil servants for the role they play in captuing the identity of their place, steering economic development to its strengths, attracting the right talent and investment, and finding the right voice to talk to the communities and world alike. Here is some help. Together with Mary Harris and Clare Dewhirst, we are running City Nation Place's first Place Brand Accelerator, a hands-on course for practitioners around the world. On zoom, but live; with theory, but interaction; for civil servants to grow together and excel in growing their place brands. Course details are at this link and on CNP website: https://lnkd.in/dEyBuCKF (you may need to copy and paste the link) If you are at City Nation Place Global in London today and tomorrow, come up to us at the Accelerator booth to say hello. And in what is becoming a good tradition, we have booked a dinner for Thursday night for friends old and new - join us!

The nighttime economy in our cities is filled with snares. Municipal employees get tangled by the Department of Red Tape and Fear. Individual stakeholders are overwhelmed by the Quagmire of Bureaucrats. Consultants can't get past City Gatekeepers. Advocacy groups too often hear back only from the Division of What *Can't* Happen. I know a little about skeptics. Especially when it comes to the nighttime economy. Let's explore tips, techniques, and tools during my "Getting Your Skeptics On Board" workshop at the Responsible Hospitality Institute's Sociable City Summit in Dallas, Apr. 18-20. I'm just one a many presenters, panelists, and experts you'll learn from. Register for RHI's Sociable City Summit: https://lnkd.in/gdEkvn3M

🏗️Sustainable Development Spotlight! Last week, I kicked off a six-week series spotlighting practitioners and community leaders working in equitable and sustainable development. These testimonials, gathered by the International Society for Urban Health (ISUH) team, feature inspiring stories from around the globe of changemakers working to build healthy spaces, improve infrastructure, and drive health equity. Check out our latest spotlight–it might even spark an idea for your community! Vibrant public spaces are essential for ensuring the social, physical, and economic wellbeing of residents. When designed as attractive, welcoming gathering places for people of all ages, these spaces can foster social interactions, support the local economy, improve resident health, and more. Drawing on examples from Bogotá, Colombia, Gil (Guillermo) Penalosa Penalosa of 8 80 Cities shares about the power of building equitable and inclusive spaces, like parks and public facilities, and how these spaces can transform urban areas. Learn more about equitable city planning and explore other stories on community-led health equity initiatives: https://lnkd.in/eZsuT9bf

The Melting Pot Edinburgh did a phenomenal job of hosting a series of events in 23-24 on the theme of 'Bridging Communities'. The Team built connections with 33 community groups and hosted almost 350 people across five different events. Why did events work? 1. If you look at the video (gorgeously shot and edited) from their conference earlier in the year, you'll see the investment in creativity. Doing things with a bit of 'pzazz' and colour reaps rewards. 2. People want to cross-pollinate. In our algorithm-ed world, we want to take time to find people who are 'not like us' and learn from them. 3. Relationships were real. This wasn't a quick, 'Hi, you don't know me but can we borrow your community to look like we co-designed'. This was genuine investment and mutual benefit. 4. Behind every sleek event is a range of skilled professionals who make it look easy, and often glossy and slick. Among them were Helen Denny and Anna Brow. 5. Conversations weren't taken for granted. Facilitators were poised and ready to help people connect. Well, that's all lovely. Where next? Have a watch of the video, digest the report and please, please get in touch with the team if you are able to sponsor or partner the next iteration of events. The future is all about turning energy into action.... #CommunityDevelopment #SocialEnterprise https://lnkd.in/dbKraBbX https://lnkd.in/d_qndeec

Join our Eurocities event, launching the LSE Cities report on innovative city governance on 12 November at the European Parliament! This report covers the current state of innovation in city administrations as well as the challenges cities face in innovating their governance models further.  🏙️ 💡