The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) kicked off Urban Hub's programme of events at Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham with An estate of mind: Does new housing have to mean soulless neighbourhoods? on the Sunday afternoon.  Shadow housing minister Grant Shapps MP, TCPA's Gideon Amos, CABE's Matt Bell, Pocket Director, Marc Vlessing and Architect Glenn Howell led the debate.



We launched Urban Hub in Birmingham on the 6th floor of Baskerville House on Centenary Square, with impressive views of the ICC and Birmingham's cityscape.  The event was hosted by Birmingham City Leader, Mike Whitby and supported by Westfield.  Eric Pickles said a few words and launched the Hub at Conservative Conference.



On the Monday morning, The Work Foundation convened a discussion on what the changing economic climate might mean for cities.  Stephen Alambritis, from the Federation of Small Businesses and The Work Foundation's Alexandra Jones and Stephen Overell explored how cities might best weather the storm.

Following Theresa Villiers' proposals on high speed rail, the Centre for Cities and Trainline led a debate on the future for urban transport with shadow transport minister, Robert Goodwill, Deputy London Mayor, Sir Simon Milton, Transport for London's Steve Norris, British Chambers of Commerce director David Frost and Trainline's Jeremy Acklam.  Chaired by Centre for Cities' Dermot Finch, the panel discussed the future for congestion charging in London, Manchester's proposed scheme, the Conservatives high speed rail proposals and taking integrated ticketing to more cities outside the capital.


 
Early Monday evening the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) asked 'Can the state design happiness?'  Shadow culture secretary Ed Vaizey, IPSOS Mori's Ben Page, Architect Sir Terry Farrell and New Economic Foundation's Nic Marks 
discussed how design can best promote wellbeing for all and shared the place/building that makes them most happy.  Ruth Reed, RIBA's president-elect chaired the debate.



This was followed by a fast paced Cities Question Time - an open session where fringe attendees set the agenda - asking questions on the political, economic, cultural and social issues facing cities today.  The panel answered questions on the Manchester congestion charge, city-region governance and the impact of the banking crisis on financial services in Leeds and Manchester.  Eric Pickles, Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Jesse Norman, Author of 'Compassionate Conservatism' and A-list candidate, Cllr Mike Whitby, leader of Birmingham City Council and Westfield's Simon Holberton sat on the panel.



On the Tuesday, The Core Cities Group convened a discussion on financial devolution for UK cities with Westfield's Simon Holberton, Bridget Blow, President, Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Chris Murray, Director of Core Cities Group led the debate.



And finally, Urban Hub at Conservative Conference closed with a Centre for Cities and Laing O'Rourke session on Skilling Up Cities with shadow employment minister, James Clappison, IDeA executive director, Lucy de Groot, Coventry leader, Ken Taylor, and Laing O'Rourke's Tony Douglas.  Chaired by Centre for Cities' Dermot Finch, the session explored apprenticeships, university education vs vocational qualifications and devolution of welfare and skills provision.