AUTUMN COLLOQUIA 2018: What makes a good city?
Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. Jeremiah 29:7
This autumn we are holding a series of three lunchtime colloquia at UTU with the theme: ‘What makes a good city?’ Most of us live in an urban environment but may give too little consideration to the elements that make that a good or bad environment in which to live. Many factors affect the environment, including architecture, transport, access to green spaces, cohesion, culture, quality of services like health and education and so on. For this series, we have chosen three factors that are arguably among the most important: economic prosperity, fairness and safety and security. Each of these themes will be introduced by a distinguished local speaker with relevant experience and responsibility. There will then be general discussion.
The colloquia will run from 12 noon to 130 pm in UTU’s library area in the basement of Victoria Hall Methodist Church, Sheffield (entrance in Chapel Walk). Bring your own packed lunch. Tea and coffee will be available.
The three sessions will be as follows:
Wednesday 10 October. Revd Dr Alan Billings on Safety and Security. Alan Billings has been a Vicar in Sheffield, Deputy Leader of the City Council, an academic and author of many books. He is currently South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner.
Wednesday, 7 November. Professor Alan Walker on Fairness. Alan Walker is Professor of Social Policy and Social Gerontology at the University of Sheffield. He has written widely on ageing and on other issues of social policy. He chaired Sheffield Fairness Commission which reported in 2013.
Wednesday 5 December. John Mothersole on Economic Prosperity. John Mothersole is Chief Executive of Sheffield City Council, having formerly been the Council’s Executive Director of Development, Environment and Leisure. He is heavily involved in the development of Sheffield and the wider City Region. He has previously worked in local government in Camden and Newcastle-under-Lyme.
These colloquia are open to all. Enquiries should be addressed to UTU: 0114 270 9907