How can the cultural diversity of New Towns be positively reflected in the city’s policies, urbanism and identity?

For urban strategists, designers, residents, policy makers and students
This public event consists of a full day of seminars and panel discussions by policy-makers, researchers, students, and community representatives. If you are an urban professional or just interested in New Towns and/or migration, we invite you to take part in the event. 

Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes was built in the 1970s and initially hosted a largely homogeneous population of skilled workers from London. Recently, it has grown into a culturally diverse city, with a BME population of over 25%. This diversity is not yet reflected in the city’s overall identity and cultural programme, however.

The New Town Lab will address this problem by asking questions such as:
– How have migrants contributed to Milton Keynes’s culture?
– How can MK’s cultural diversity be positively reflected in the city’s policies, urbanism, and identity?
– What kinds of practical urban design and policy strategies can lead to a more culturally inclusive city?

Location
Holiday Inn Central, 500, Saxon Gate, Milton Keynes (Three blocks from the central train station)

Speakers
The programme features a broad range of speakers and panellists:
– Michelle Provoost (Director of the International New Town Institute)
– Shane Downer (MK Heritage Officer)
– Noël James (MK City Discovery Centre)
– Mark Clapson (Professor at University of Westminster)
– Pete Waterman (former Social Development Director, MK Development Corporation)
– Will Cousins (Chair of MK Gallery)
– Students of the MK Academy
– Deborah Gockelen (Director of Business and Enterprise)
– Mike Kasibo (Chair and Founder of the Global Outreach Foundation)
– Rosaline Stafford (Director of Global Outreach Foundation Milton Keynes - GOF:MK)
– Fiona Boundy (Public Art Officer, Milton Keynes Council)
– Mike Moore (Senior Planning, Milton Keynes Council)
– Simon Peart (Conservation and Archaeology Manager, Milton Keynes Council)
– David Gleeson (Managing Director of Your:MK)
– Roger Kitchen (Founder of Living Archive)
– Anouar Kassim (Founder of MK Islamic Arts Heritage and Culture / Community Connects UK)
(Full programme available at our website.

Attendance and Accommodation
Attendance is free of charge. Participants will only need to arrange their own accommodation. More information about accommodation and travel to Milton Keynes can be found at our website.

More information on the New Town Labs
The event in Milton Keynes is part of the two-year “New Towns, Arrival Cities” project organized by the International New Town Institute. Subsequent New Town Labs will take place in Sabaudia (May 2018), Grand Paris Sud (October 2018), Vällingby (November/December 2018), and Nissewaard (February 2019).

Questions?
For more information about the event in Milton Keynes and about the “New Towns, Arrival Cities” project, please do not hesitate to contact Isabel Potworowski at arrivalcities@newtowninstitute.org, or visit the INTI project website.