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enVISIONing Annapolis Foundation Press Release
August 16, 2007
Urban Visionary to Help Chart Annapolis’ Future
Annapolis, MD., Aug. 16, 2007 -- Charles Landry, a world-renowned expert on the future of cities, will discuss what is needed to make Annapolis a successful 21st-century city during a free “community conversation” at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts at 3 p.m. on Sunday, September 16.
Landry is the founder of Europe’s leading cultural planning consultancy and is a recognized international authority on the importance of creativity in defining the character and future of cities – young ones and old, historic ones. Landry helps cities identify their creative potential and tap into their resources imaginatively.
Landry’s vision for successful 21st-century cities focuses on broadly defined cultural resources, which he challenges cities to develop and manage effectively. He will describe how cities of all kinds can embrace creativity, forging a new paradigm for urban change.
Landry is the author of several widely acclaimed books, including The Creative City and The Art of City Making. He has worked as a planning consultant in over 35 countries in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia and has conducted cultural planning studies in major cities around the world, including Helsinki, Milan, Gdansk, Barcelona, Glasgow, Sydney and St. Petersburg.
He has been an adviser to The World Bank on culture in cities and served as “Thinker-In-Residence” for South Australia, advising the premier and the state on greater Adelaide’s future potential. He now holds a similar position in Perth, the capital of Western Australia. Landry’s upcoming North American tour will include Toronto, Canada, and Pensacola, Florida, in addition to Annapolis.
Landry’s Annapolis appearance will kick off a year-long series of local “community conversations” featuring nationally and internationally recognized experts in a variety of disciplines who will come to Annapolis to discuss new ideas for shaping a city’s future. Speakers will illustrate how other cities are directing their destiny by embracing thoughtfully directed change; adopting a constructive community vision and encouraging creativity in citizens and local institutions.
Upcoming programs will look at:
- Development pressures and 21st century urban design;
- The conflict between cars and people in urban areas;
- Workforce housing and Hispanic in-migration,
- And the role of history and heritage tourism in cities of the future.
These community conversations are open to the public free of charge. Sponsors of the events are the Envisioning Annapolis Foundation, St. John’s College and Annapolis Charter 300.
The goal of enVISIONing Annapolis is to empower Annapolitans and concerned citizens of the region to take an informed, creative and proactive role in defining a future for their historic city – a future that preserves the best of the past while enhancing the quality of life for later generations.
For further information, contact: Greg Stiverson, 410-268-6764; e-mail, envisioning-annapolis@comcast.net.
