Quick viewing(Text Mode)

Creating a National Park for the West Midlands a New 21St Century Identity

Creating a National Park for the West Midlands a New 21St Century Identity

LANDSCAPE AND INFRASTRUCTURE CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION

CREATING A NATIONAL PARK FOR THE WEST A NEW 21ST CENTURY IDENTITY

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Professor Kathryn Moore

Critical Artistic Thinking in Design

MAY 2018 CREATING A NATIONAL PARK FOR THE A NEW 21ST CENTURY IDENTITY

THE PROJECT The West Midlands (WMCA) offers a perfect platform The Project seeks to establish a new kind of National Park for people here to create and develop the capacity to for the West Midlands. This immense landscape, introduce new skills to the wider world and to profoundly the crucible of the , the nexus of change the identity of the region through this ambitious the UK’s major agricultural regions, with its complex vision ensuring transformation not protection. This is a infrastructure of canals, highways and byways married bold, long-term proposal that needs to be expedited now. to some of the most beautiful, forgotten areas in Britain awaits a re-imagining for millions of people with the Annex A gives the location plan for the West Midlands creation of a West National Park. , the proposed boundary for the West Midlands National Park. The project aims to:

• Utilise major strategic initiatives throughout the West CONCEPT Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to support the is under the direction of Professor Kathryn Moore, resourcing of the plan: recognising the opportunities President, International Federation of Landscape provided by the imminent arrival of HS2; ’s Architects, Professor of Landscape Architecture at winning the 2021 City of Culture; the hosting of City University. See Annex B for a PDF of the the Commonwealth Games in the region; the Black proposal and vision statement. Country’s application for UNESCO Geopark status; and embracing the ambition in the 2018 DEFRA 25-year plan to redefine national parks; INTERESTED PARTIES A number of political, commercial and academic bodies • Propose a new type of National Park which champions including UNESCO are giving support to the Project. the relationship between people and place: A It is our intention to partner with these and other relationship that shapes our cultural identity, pride interested organisations, institutions and communities and self confidence, and which rightly acknowledges to work collaboratively in order to achieve real change. the landscape as being the matrix within which all Annex C gives a list of interested parties correct at the development occurs; time of printing, but growing all the time.

• Create improved collaborative and citizen-engaged solutions which focus on the relationship communities IMPLEMENTATION have with a landscape, and which encourage cross The Project under current planning will be implemented boundary working and delivery; over a two-year period and then according to Phases enumerated in Annex D. • Support the positioning of UK agriculture, which is on the verge of a second agricultural revolution, and a gathering world focus on high-tech agronomy, FUNDING reforesting, organic growing, water storage and Funding exists for the initial planning phase and further cleansing; and funds will need to be confirmed as set out inAnnex E.

• Ensure that in a post UK we are a showcase for innovative, cross-community models of FIRST FORMAL MEETING rural / urban localism, incorporating leading-edge The conference scheduled for June this year will bring land-use, inventive housing solutions, and sustainable together all interested parties including UNESCO and industrial development. UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme. Annex F sets out the two-day conference programme (still under development).

2 CREATING A NATIONAL PARK FOR THE WEST MIDLANDS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ANNEX A THE BOUNDARY OF THE WEST MIDLANDS COMBINED AUTHORITY

N

Contains OS data © Crown Copyright and database right 2017 HS2_PBR_C240_RE_HighSpeedRailwaysAlignment_DE_Ln_Formal_ES Kilometers BEN_ARP_C224_AG_StationFootprint_Ply_CT05_Formal_ES 0 1 2 4 6 8

WMCA

CREATING A NATIONAL PARK FOR THE WEST MIDLANDS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3 ANNEX B The West Midlands with its muscular, working landscape is inextricably linked to the extraordinary imaginations of CREATING A NATIONAL PARK its foremost industrialists, scientists and thinkers such as FOR THE WEST MIDLANDS James Brindley, Thomas , and , members of the Lunar Society and founders A NEW 21ST CENTURY IDENTITY of the Midlands Enlightenment, the park would be a living and lasting testimony to their vision and ambition. VISION It would be an embodiment of the civic pride and A West Midlands National Park. engagement espoused by the likes of George A New 21st Century Identity. and , ready to engage with the region’s Industrial Strategy in ways which are sustainable, With the youngest, fastest growing, most diverse productive and attractive. population in the UK, the imminent arrival of HS2 and the hosting of City of Culture 2021 and the Commonwealth This 21st century vision for a new kind of national park Games, the West Midlands has a unique opportunity coincides with plans for a on the verge to re-discover a vast, hidden landscape that has been of a second agricultural revolution. There is a gathering largely overlooked and undervalued for decades. The world focus on high-tech agronomy, reforesting, organic West , a watershed between two of the growing, water storage and cleansing. A post Brexit UK largest river systems in the United Kingdom, is one of the should be in the vanguard of this revolution, creating new most geologically diverse regions in the world. Previously models of rural / urban localism and the West Midlands an area of dense woodland, its matrix of valleys stretches offers a perfect platform for people here to create and from the , the crucible of the industrial develop the capacity to introduce new skills to the revolution, to Birmingham, once the city of a thousand wider world. trades and now one of the most rapidly developing business hubs in Europe, from Medieval Coventry to the Rekindling and re-inventing the connection between Saxon town of Tamworth. This immense rolling landscape, communities and the space they inhabit, recognising the nexus of the UK’s major agricultural regions, with its the pride people take in that space, its cultural identity complex infrastructure of canals, highways and byways is be it urban, suburban or rural is very much a modern, married to some of the most beautiful, forgotten areas in contemporary view of how our landscapes work. This is Britain and awaits a re-imagining for millions of people what the West Midlands National Park is all about. With with the creation of a West Midland National Park. 1,000 miles of tracks and trails, 1,000 lakes and 1,000 miles of rivers and streams and more canals than Venice. By encouraging cross boundary working and delivery, this A mighty, rolling landscape with an abundance of proposal is a means to an end, a vehicle to help drive woodland, heathland, hills and valleys with open country, social, economic and environmental change in the region. working farms, small villages and larger towns. Great It would be a new kind of park, embracing the ambition in walking country for serious hikers or gentle strollers out the 2018 DEFRA 25-year plan to redefine national parks, looking for a place to picnic, for runners, riders, bikers and focusing on the relationship communities have with a anglers, there is a huge diversity here that quite literally landscape that shapes their cultural identity, pride and goes with the territory. self confidence. This is a vision of what the West Midlands could become when the significance of its landscape is This is an ambitious, long-term proposal that needs to properly realised and celebrated. It will profoundly change be expedited now. HS2 and the Games will give us the identity of the region. Above all, this proposal’s central a perfect storm of opportunity to re-imagine a long purpose is transformation not protection. forgotten landscape, creating a living, working national park, for jobs, , good health and well being, The delivery of HS2, City of Culture 2021 and the leisure and above all, for a high-grade, sustainable Commonwealth Games will bring a massive economic environment. Because the quality of our environment is boost to the region and the park could play a significant equal to the quality of our lives, it is an equation as role in this legacy as a fantastic natural and cultural simple as it is compelling. resource with its own striking visual identity, a rich diversity of urban and rural habitats, wildlife, heritage and sport.

4 CREATING A NATIONAL PARK FOR THE WEST MIDLANDS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ANNEX C INTERESTED PARTIES

This idea is so compelling that it has already gained The West Midlands National Park proposal builds on the considerable traction, nationally and internationally. unique approach developed in the Black Country Urban Capitalising on the keen interest expressed from all Park (from 2005), HS2 Landscape Vision (2010-15) and the quarters – government, education, civil societies and Tame Valley Landscape Vision (2016) which have, during business – it is our intention to partner with these the course of the last 7 years received support from Rt and other interested organisations, institutions and Hon Chris Grayling MP, Emma Howard Boyd (Chair of communities to work collaboratively in order to achieve the Environment Agency), David Higgins, HS2 Ltd, David real change. Prout and Sir Brian Briscoe (formerly of HS2 Ltd) the and a host of local institutions including the Chambers of With the encouragement of the Rt Hon Dame Caroline Commerce from Birmingham and , Birmingham Spelman MP and , Mayor of the West City Council, Smarter Cities, Birmingham, the Birmingham Midlands Combined Authority in addition to the National Metropolitan College, West Midlands Parks Forum, Trust, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Directors of Public Health for local authorities and the The Princes Trust, the Nobrega Foundation, The Canal Curzon Regeneration Board. and River Trust, the Tame Valley Wetlands Landscape Partnership, the Black Country Consortium, Transport for West Midlands, Urban Land Institute, KPMG, Arcadis, the of Forest, the UNESCO World Heritage Project, The Landscape Institute, UK and UNESCO we are now establishing the means to take this project forward on to the next stage.

Galton Bridge, Bog, Birmingham

CREATING A NATIONAL PARK FOR THE WEST MIDLANDS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 5 ANNEX D the profile of the WMCA ensuring that it can compete PROGRAMME OF WORK effectively in the global race for talent. • As support for the WMNP gathers momentum, we PHASE 1: Establishing CATiD and the June conference will provide a flow of strategic advice and expertise between the community, key stakeholders, partners PHASE 2: 2018–2020: executive development/ and international networks to the Combined Authority proof of concept for the continued planning and implementation of the • Project management: establish willing and active Strategic Economic Plan over a 10 –15 year period, community to form the project team for governance responses to the New Land Management Policy and and advice, able to support, influence and make the potential structure for the national park. development of the project happen • Provide a community and stakeholder perspective on • Establish key milestones, monitor programmes how geographic identity, culture and environmental and progress. sustainability can be used to positively impact on WMCA plans, recognising that many of the issues are within a • Resources: Team of 5–6 people with the capacity to regional, national or global context. employ specialist services, printing and administration and kit. • Facilitate a landscape master planning approach to help guide economic development, regeneration and Tasks: scoping and mapping: housing decisions to derive increased health and quality • Of physical, environmental, economic, digital, social of life outcomes over the long term through a number of and cultural infrastructure, analysis and examples of case studies including Tame Valley (three sections), the best comparable international practice, models of Contour Canal and the Geo Park, The Commonwealth governance, finance, and innovative public engagement, Games, B7 and the international Wetland Park existing and potential assets. • Advise on, represent and pursue the aims relevant • Identify the future resources needed for the project and policies including the UN SDG’s, to ensure the WMCA the return on investment expected. contributes to resolving international challenges and becomes renowned for excellence • Identify existing projects and groups/communities to capture immediate and tangible impact. • Act as a link between government, the Mayor and the WMCA for good practice relating to landscape and the • Identify key big moves, competitions and bids for environment linked to infrastructure. implementation (for 2022). PHASE 4: Implementation (in partnership) • Establish bids for funding for research and • Create self-sustaining and resilient organisation to implementation including MIPIM presentation. continue for 15–20 years to engage with DEFRA, Natural England, local politicians and government. • Building on existing networks, establish new key players, partners and supporters whose aims and ambitions align • Establish international of partners to examine with the projects including 3rd sector networks, HEI’s, national and international impact of a new landscape-led businesses, NGO’s, charities and local authorities, approach to considering development and change.

• Undertake preliminary case studies for 2022 • Publish policy documents and research papers. Commonwealth Games and arrival of HS2. • Establish programme of exhibitions and PHASE 3: Funding and implementation dissemination of ideas. (dependent on funding cycles) • Knowledge and expertise from Phase 1 will inform • Attract research funding and impact evaluation and shape the development of strategy, policy, public engagement and the communication of approaches • Continue to build supportive constituencies. to the delivery of the West Midlands National Park proposal. • Advise on the strategy for the physical implementation of projects, exhibitions and collaborations. • It will inform the development of significant funding applications to implement a range of specific physical, social and cultural projects, engage communities to raise

6 CREATING A NATIONAL PARK FOR THE WEST MIDLANDS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ANNEX E POTENTIAL SOURCES OF FUNDING

Institutional funding has been provided by Birmingham City University establish CATiD, led by Professor Kathryn Moore, to kick-start the project.

We anticipate working collaboratively with a number of partners to gain further support to undertake its executive development and implementation. Currently this includes the , DEFRA (via the Environment Agency and Natural England), Natural Improvement Area Funds, the RSPB, , the Canal and River Trust, , The Nobrega Foundation, Local Authorities, other HEI and FE institutions, local businesses and civil societies. Possible opportunities exist via the GBSLEP ERDF Sustainable Urban Development Fund.

Other international and local sources are being MAUD, Tainan Main Station – Tainan, Taiwan, Max Yang, Samya Kako, David Miller, Design Area: 54 Acres, 2012 investigated.

Bumble Hole Local Nature Reserve © Metropolitan Council

CREATING A NATIONAL PARK FOR THE WEST MIDLANDS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 7 Asian countries. Born in Taiwan, but living in Paris SPEAKERS since 1991, Lin received his PhD in Art History and Archaeology from Paris-Sorbonne University in 1998. JULIAN BEER BCU DEPUTY VICE-CHANCELLOR KATHRYN MOORE Julian leads on the University’s Research, CATiD Enterprise and Business Engagement Kathryn Moore, President of the strategy, links between business International Federation of Landscape and higher education. Julian has Architects (IFLA) and Professor of extensive experience of the private Landscape Architecture at Birmingham sector, as well as transferring higher education City University has published extensively knowledge into commercial or public policy outcomes. on design quality, theory, education and practice. As leader of its strategy on business and employer Chair of the pilot (HS2) landscape engagement, Julian strengthens Birmingham City guidelines, she has taken a lead role in redefining the University’s connection with the City and region. He relationship between landscape, culture and leads on research, innovation and knowledge governance, finance, health and community exchange development, together with expanding engagement within the context of the Birmingham commercial activities. Julian has significant experience region and is a member of the independent National of both higher education and the private sector, as HS2 Ltd Design Panel. As president of IFLA she led well as successfully transferring research and learning the transformation of the organisation and is a from one to the other. founding partner of the World Design Summit, leading to the World Design Declaration signed this year in ANDY STREET Montreal 2017. WMCA MAYOR Andy Street was elected as the first DIRK SIJMONS Mayor of the West Midlands on May 4 NETHERLANDS’ 1ST STATE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT 2017. The primary function of the role is Dirk Sijmons worked at several to chair the West Midlands Combined Netherlands’ Ministries and the State Authority and brings with it significant Forestry Service. In 1990 he was one of powers over transport, housing, skills and jobs. Before the founders of H+N+S Landscape- becoming Mayor, Andy combined a career with John architects. In 2002 he received the Lewis, Britain’s most successful workers’ co-operative, prestigious Rotterdam-Maaskant award and in 2007 with a host of high-profile economic development the Edgar Doncker prize for his contribution to ‘Dutch roles, working with local and national government. He Culture’. His book publications in English are = was the Chair of the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Landscape (1998), Greetings from Europe (2008), Local Enterprise Partnership between 2011 and 2016, Landscape and Energy (2014), Moved Movement, helping to build the relationships that have (2015), Room-for-the-River (2017). Sijmons was underpinned the economic growth of the region. appointed first State Landscape Architect of the Netherlands (2004–2008). He received the Sir ROLAND LIN Geoffrey Jellicoe Award from the International UNESCO Federation of Landscape Architects in 2017. Dr Roland LIN Chih-Hung is currently Programme Specialist of the Asia-Pacific JAMES CORNER Unit of the World Heritage Centre at FIELD OPERATIONS UNESCO Headquarters in France. He James Corner is the Founding Partner coordinates UNESCO cultural heritage and CEO of James Corner Field safeguarding projects in Central and South Asia, Operations. His work is renowned for notably the Silk Roads World Heritage Serial and innovative and bold contemporary design Transnational Nominations; Bamiyan Valley across a variety of project types and preservation project in Afghanistan and Lumbini, scales, with a special commitment to the design of a birthplace of the Lord Buddha preservation project in vibrant and dynamic public realm in cities, informed Nepal. He also manages World Heritage issues in and inspired by the ecologies of place, people and India, Nepal, Bhutan, the Maldives, and five Central nature. He was responsible for designing New York’s

8 CREATING A NATIONAL PARK FOR THE WEST MIDLANDS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY highly-acclaimed High Line and London’s South Park SEAN RUSSELL Plaza at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. He was named WEST MIDLANDS MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSION by TIME as one of ‘Ten Most Influential Designers’ by Sean Russell is Implementation Director Fast Company as one of the ‘Top 50 Innovators’. of the West Midlands Mental Health Commission. As Director of PETER MILLER Implementation, Sean oversees the HS2 delivery of an ambitious action plan Environmental Programme Leader in which could make a significant difference to people’s planning, directing and building major lives in the West Midlands. It will help people with infrastructure projects. Peter provides mental ill health stay in employment, support others environmental and sustainability advice get into work, focus on the importance of good- for business, planning and Secretary of quality housing, stem the flow of people with mental State decision makers to make major projects happen. ill health into the criminal justice system and improve Expert witness and specialist in environmental timely access to good quality, compassionate care that planning of Transport & Works Orders, hybrid Bill gives more control to people preparation and evidence. Witness before Judicial Review, Parliamentary Examiners, Commons and Lords PIETRO LAUREANO Standing Order Select Committees, Environmental IPOGEA Audit Committee. Principal environmental witness HS2 Pietro is the founder and coordinator of Select Committee. IPOGEA Center for Traditional Knowledge Studies, a non-profit METTE SKJOLD organization based in Matera and SLA Florence, which carries out projects to CEO and Partner at SLA A/S, Mette is safeguard the landscape with ancient practices such as leading the committee on architecture the use of dry stone terraces, water collection tanks and construction policy at Danske Arks, and draining tunnels. Pietro is part of the UNESCO the trade organisation of Danish expert group that is working on the drafting of the Architects. Mette is a member of the new Landscape Convention. As an Italian Business Council of the Copenhagen Municipality, led representative in the Technical-Scientific Committee of by mayor Frank Jensen. She holds experience from the United Nations Convention on the Fight against several national and international strategic rural and Desertification (UNCCD), and as President of the Panel urban development projects. Mette holds a masters for Traditional Knowledge, he promoted the creation from the School of Architecture in Aarhus, and an of a World Bank on Traditional Knowledge and their international master in leadership and innovation from use innovative. Copenhagen Business School. MICHAEL SCHWARZE-RODRIAN MERRICK DENTON-THOMPSON ERMSCHER LANDSCAPE PARK LANDSCAPE INSTITUTE Michael is the head of the Department Merrick Denton-Thompson is President, European and Regional Networks and Trustee and Fellow of the Landscape the EU Representative of the Regional Institute. He has worked in local Association Ruhr (RVR). He is a landscape government and the voluntary sector for planner who planned and implemented all of his career. He left local government the Emscher Landscape Park. He moderates local and as the Assistant Director of the Environment at regional networks for a sustainable Metropolitan Ruhr. County Council where he was responsible His great experiences with urban landscapes, for environmental policies in strategic planning, rural integrated strategies and project management is the affairs and the countryside service. He was appointed background of his European and international to the Board of Natural England by the Secretary of networking. His current interests are focused on the State to assist in the development of the new integration and bundling of several spatial, government agency in 2006 – 2009. He was awarded environmental and economic strategies under the an Order of the by the Queen for his label ‘Green Infrastructure Ruhr’. contribution to education.

CREATING A NATIONAL PARK FOR THE WEST MIDLANDS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 9 TIM HASELDEN SIMON DELAHUNTY-FORREST TAME VALLEY WETLANDS TRUST Tame Valley Wetlands Landscape Simon manages the City Design and Partnership Scheme Manager. Tim Conservation Team within the Planning manages the Tame Valley Wetlands and Regeneration service. As Birmingham scheme and team, working closely with City Council’s lead design advisor the Heritage Lottery Fund and the championing design quality Simon is Partnership Board. Tim studied geography and known for his ability to successfully combine ecology at the University of Plymouth and worked as a Architecture and Urban Design to create holistic Ranger looking after parks and local nature reserves in environments. This includes acting as the focal point the borough of Solihull before joining the Trust. on design issues and stimulating design quality through multi-agency project team working and close MICHELE FARMER interaction with external developers, key stakeholders PRINCE’S TRUST and partners in relation to the design of new Michele Farmer is the Prince’s Trust development being promoted and managed through Director for Central England, a region the Planning that stretches from the Welsh border to the coast, from in GARETH DOHERTY the South to North . Across HARVARD GRADUATE DESIGN SCHOOL this region full of contrasts, the Trust works with Gareth Doherty is an assistant professor c15000 young people every year, helping them of landscape architecture and senior towards work or self-employment. Michele has a research associate at the Harvard degree in Art History from University and a University Graduate School of Design, Post Graduate diploma from the University of where he is also director of the Master in Manchester. Originally trained as a curator, Michele is Landscape Architecture program. Doherty is author of, passionate about the arts and creativity and alongside Paradoxes of Green: Landscapes of a City-State, that, has spent many years championing young published by the University of California Press. people, especially those who may not have had the Previous publications include, Is Landscape…? Essays best start in life. on the Identity of Landscape, edited with Charles Waldheim; and Ecological Urbanism, edited with DAME CAROLINE SPELMAN Mohsen Mostafavi. Doherty is a founding editor of the MP MERIDEN New Geographies journal and editor-in- chief of New Caroline was first elected as the MP for Geographies 3: Urbanisms of Color. Doherty’s latest the Meriden Constituency in 1997. In book is Roberto Burle Marx Lectures: Landscape as opposition she held a number of posts Art and Urbanism. including shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, MERTEN NEFS International Development and Spokesperson for Merten Nefs received his master degree Health. She was also Chairman of the Conservative in architecture at Delft University of Party. From 2010 to 2012 she was Secretary of State Technology (2003) and studied regional for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Caroline now planning at the University of São Paulo. serves as the Second Church Estates Commissioner. In 2010, Merten joined the As an Member of Parliament Caroline has consistently Deltametropolis Association, a Rotterdam-based campaigned to protect the greenbelt, introducing a network and laboratory for metropolitan private members’ bill to prevent garden grabbing development. He coordinated the SprintCity program in 2008. for Transit-Oriented Development that has resulted in an interactive planning support tool implemented on several transport corridors, international presentations and workshops, as well as various publications. He has organized a research-by-design program on metropolitan landscape in collaboration with renowned landscape architects and knowledge institutes. In parallel, Merten coaches master students from several universities and teaches at the Amsterdam of Architecture.

10 CREATING A NATIONAL PARK FOR THE WEST MIDLANDS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY SAM RICHARDS PAUL CURETON INDEPENDENT DESIGN REVIEW CATiD PANEL HS2 Paul Cureton is a Senior Lecturer in Sam Richards is a town planner with 35 Design (People, Products, Places) years of experience in major transport Imagination Lancaster, Lancaster projects, urban design and policy University. Paul and Senior Research development. He is a member of the HS2 Fellow at CATiD. He holds a PhD in Independent Design Review Panel and is Landscape Representation from Manchester School of a co-chair of Urban Design London’s panel. As Head of Architecture. Primary research interests include Future Urban Integration at Crossrail Sam led and managed Cities, GIS, UAVs, mapping, modelling and digital the largest programme of urban realm improvements fabrication. Recent publications include Explorations associated with an infrastructure project in this of the Work of Lawrence Halprin ‘Rhythm, Agency, country, including designs for 31stations. As Head of Scoring & the City’ in ‘Landscape & Agency: Critical Land Use Planning at TfL Sam advised the Mayor on Essays, a monograph; ‘Strategies for Landscape some of the most significant development in London, Representation: Digital and Analogue Techniques’ including the Shard, Kings Cross, Stratford and (Routledge 2016) and the co-authored governmental Greenwich Peninsular. working paper ‘A Visual History of the Future’ (Foresight, BIS 2014). ANASTASIA NIKOLOGIANI CATiD GRAHAM WORTON Anastasia Nikologianni is qualified as a DUDLEY COUNCIL Landscape Architect MA and Project lead for the Black Country Global Agriculturist/Horticulturist MSc. Her UNESCO Geopark and keeper of Climate-KIC labeled PhD in Landscape geology at Dudley Council. Graham has Architecture explored the role of low worked for Dudley Council for 17 years carbon and spatial quality and the contribution of and has been closely involved with design in the development of regional landscape Dudley Museum for more than 35 years. In 2017 based spatial strategies. She is the Chair of the Graham was awarded the Brighton Medal, which is Emerging Professionals Advocate of IFLA World, awarded every three years to a geological curator, by holding committee positions at professional the outgoing chair of the Geological Curators’ Group organisations such as the Climate-KIC Alumni which is affiliated to the Geological Society of London. Association and the Landscape Institute Midlands. PAUL GERRETSEN ALEX ALBANS DELTAMETROPOLIS CATiD Paul Gerretsen is chief designer in the Alex Albans is a qualified landscape fields of regional planning, urban architect PGDip with a background in planning and architecture. He has studied geography, surveying and cartography. at the renowned Universities TU Delft His PhD in Landscape Architecture and ETH . He graduated with explored how landscape architects honourable mention in 1999 at the TU Delft as Master interpret sites and examined the factors which shape of Architecture. From 2008 onwards he was appointed their resultant design decisions. The research was director of the Deltametropolis Association. The informed by experience gained teaching Deltametropolis Association is a members association postgraduates with Prof. Kathryn Moore over a that focuses on the development of the Randstad number of years. In addition to the work at CATiD, area, consists of the metropolitan area around the four Alex is an independent conflict mediator and major cities of the Netherlands. facilitator and runs a network of peace and reconciliation partners for ’s non-faith and other-faith programme.

CREATING A NATIONAL PARK FOR THE WEST MIDLANDS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 11 ANNEX F PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME FOR THE LANDSCAPE AND INFRASTRUCTURE CONFERENCE

21–22 June 2018 • Birmingham City University

DAY ONE THURSDAY 21 JUNE DAY TWO FRIDAY 22 JUNE 10.00 Registration opens (refreshments) 10.00 Dame Caroline Spelman MP Meriden

11.00 Julian Beer 10.10 Simon Delahunty-Forrest BCU Deputy Vice-Chancellor Birmingham City Council

11.00 Andy Street WMCA Mayor 10.30 Gareth Doherty Harvard Graduate Design School 11.20 Roland Lin UNESCO 10.50 Merten Nefs Blind Spot 11.30 Kathryn Moore CATiD 11.10 Sam Richards 12.00 Dirk Sijmons Netherlands’ State HS2 Independent Design Review Panel Landscape Architect 11.30 Break 12.30 Lunch 11.50 Anastasia Nikologiani CATiD 13.20 James Corner Field Operations 12.05 Alex Albans CATiD 13.50 Peter Miller HS2 12.20 Paul Cureton CATiD 14.10 Mette Skjold SLA 12.40 Lunch 14.35 Merrick Denton-Thompson Landscape Institute 13.30 Panel Discussion Kathryn Moore 15.00 Break Graham Worton 15.30 Sean Russell Merrick Denton-Thompson Mental Health Commission Paul Gerretsen Michele Farmer 15.55 Pietro Laureano IPOGEA Michael Schwartz-Rodrain

16.20 Michael Schwart Rodrian 15.00 Conference close Ermscher Landscape Park

16.45 Tim Haselden Tame Valley Wetlands Trust

16.55 Michele Farmer Prince’s Trust

17.10 Closing remarks

17.30 Day One Close

5 Parkside Building 5 Cardigan Street Birmingham B4 7BD bcu.ac.uk/catid

eventbrite.co.uk/e/catid-conference-tickets-43471235636

@CATiDLandscape

12 CREATING A NATIONAL PARK FOR THE WEST MIDLANDS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY JUNE 2018

Top View