Bradford secures high profile speakers at MIPIM
BJORN LOMBORG, regarded by some as one of the world's most prominent environmentalists, is to speak at an event hosted by Bradford Centre Regeneration at the MIPIM international property conference in Cannes next week.
The Dane is one of four special guests BCR, which is tasked with leading the West Yorkshire city's regeneration efforts, has secured to speak at the high profile event.
Sir Bob Kerslake, the incoming chief executive of the Government's newly formed Homes and Communities Agency, design expert Wayne Hemingway and TV designer Linda Barker will also make presentations at events hosted by BCR, which has once again secured an apartment in the French town to showcase Bradford's regeneration efforts to potential investors and developers.
BCR will kick start its series of events at MIPIM, which runs from March 11 to 13, with a lunchtime talk by outgoing Sheffield Council chief executive Sir Bob.
The man tasked with ensuring there is sufficient affordable housing as part of the UK's urban regeneration will speak at an event sponsored by global property advisors DTZ.
Ms Barker, who represented BCR at the property conference last year, will again highlight her passion for Bradford and her role as an ambassador for the city.
Mr Hemingway, the founder of the fashion label Red or Dead, will speak at a “designs on regeneration” event sponsored by design consultants Arup, building design consultants Robinsons and developers Magellan Properties.
Mr Lomborg has strong views on how to tackle climate change and build sustainable developments and was previously named as one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine in 2004 and one of the '50 people who could save the planet' by The Guardian earlier this year.
Maud Marshall, chief executive of BCR, said: “We are delighted that Bjorn has agreed to speak to us at MIPIM. Sustainability and quality are key to the £3bn renaissance of Bradford and we look forward to hearing his thoughts on the environmental aspect of regenerating cities.
“To have secured such high profile speakers really reflects how prestigious the work we are undertaking in Bradford is. It's a really exciting time for Bradford as the radical transformation continues, with significant residential, commercial, retail and leisure developments completed and further projects like Westfield Broadway shopping centre already on site.
“The face of Bradford is really starting to change and there are a number of exciting new schemes that will have a huge impact on the city.”
Mr Lomborg said: “Climate change is obviously a major issue that will eventually affect all aspects of our lives and in my talk I hope to give information and understanding of this problem that can be used by property developers and investors.
“It is good to see an agency such as Bradford Centre Regeneration taking an interest in these issues and allowing for a healthy debate on the right ways to tackle global warming.”
Mr Hemingway added: “It should be blindingly obvious, high quality housing for all stages of life, public space and environmental thinking are vital to community and social wellbeing – but sadly this is so often overlooked in our cities. If Bradford follows its vision then it won't be one of these cities.”
Regeneration work is progressing in Bradford with work having started on site at the long-awaited £300m Broadway shopping centre.
Other Yorkshire cities, including Leeds and Sheffield, will be represented at MIPIM, which will attract more than 20,000 delegates from across the globe, as will developers, property agents and investors from the region.
