European cities share perspectives on future development

This week at MIPIM, Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership brought together a panel of European civic leaders and developers to explore the significant impact that master planning has on economic development in cities and regions across the continent.

The panellists discussed the impact of high speed rail networks and the regeneration of urban communities and shared narratives behind impactful projects in Leeds, Lille and Dortmund. Both Lille and Dortmund have successfully redeveloped their city centres and creating city centre urban living has been a key feature in both places.

Ullrich Sierau, the Lord Mayor of Dortmund and Fabrice Veyron Churlet General Manager at SPL Euralille discussed what lessons could be learned from Lille and Dortmund�s experience in how Leeds is approaching the �500 million Leeds integrated station masterplan and Southbank development.

The panel, which also included Cllr Judith Blake CBE, Leader of Leeds City Council David Aspin, Chief Executive, Munroe and Nigel Foster, Director, Fore Consulting also explored how the impact of regeneration in Leeds could be maximised to benefit residents and businesses across the wider city region.

The Phoenix Development in Dortmund � a former steelworks and industrial site - is winner of the German Town Planning Award 2018 and Euralille is a high speed railway and urban quarter in the centre of Lille consisting of retail, offices, hotels and residential.

Leeds and Dortmund are celebrating fifty years of civic partnership this year and Leeds and Lille have been partner cities since 1968.

Judith Blake CBE, Leader of Leeds City Council said:

�This a moment of great opportunity for Leeds and I am delighted that we will continue to share best practice and learning with our partners across Europe for the benefit of the communities we serve. Our partnerships with Lille and Dortmund both date back over 50 years and we continue to build economic cooperation on the strong foundation of our civic links.�

David Aspin, Chief Executive of Munroe K said:

�Leeds as a city and the wider region has a real sense of purpose that has come about thanks to public sector support and cooperation with the private sector but both parties are exhibiting a real sense of the social inclusion. This means that we are developing a much deeper narrative than the normal process of investment and development.�