

Manchester's Museum of Science + Industry Director at Future Cities Forum's Levelling up event
The Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester's Director, Sally MacDonald.(Courtesy SIM) The Director of Manchester's Science and Industry Museum, Sally MacDonald, will be speaking at Future Cities Forum on 14th June. Sally joined the Science and Industry Museum as Director in September 2014 from University College London (UCL) where she led on Public and Cultural Engagement Programmes. She leads the premier science museum in the North West of England which attracts around 7


Mayor of London announces new funding for diversity in public realm art
Above: Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London (courtesy Mayor of London) The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has awarded £533,000 to support a series of community projects designed to improve diversity in the capital’s public spaces. New murals, plaques and walking tours are among 42 community projects across 19 boroughs receiving funding as part of the work of the Mayor’s Commission for Diversity in the Public Realm. The projects include plans to install rainbow plaques celebrating LGBTQ+


The University of Manchester speaks at Future Cities Forum
Above - John Holden, Manchester University's Associate Vice-President for Major Special Projects We are delighted that John Holden, Associate Vice-President for Major Special Projects at The University of Manchester, will be speaking at Future Cities Forum's Levelling up event in June. The event will be held at The Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester and will discuss the role of university research and innovation in the levelling up agenda of cities. John Holden join


Future Cities Forum Summer Awards 2022
Above: interior of H C Andersen Hus / Hans Christian Andersen new museum at Odense, Denmark (Image credit: Rasmus Hjortsoej - Coast) Future Cities Forum will be holding its Summer 2022 Awards this week. These awards are to promote excellence and sustainability in the built environment. This summer projects up for awards will include Chapman Taylor's Xiong'An: masterplanning a new 272 square kilometer Chinese Smart City, Kengo Kuma's H.C. Andersen's House, Denmark and Westmin


Elizabeth Line to open in London
Concourse and roof at Whitechapel Station completed 2021 by BDP for TfL as part of upgrade for the Elizabeth Line (Courtesy BDP) The much awaited Elizabeth Line in London is being launched this week and Future Cities Forum is featuring the work of forum member BDP, involved in both Whitechapel and Canary Wharf Stations, as part of the new line. Services on the Elizabeth Line's new central section will run from Paddington to Abbey Wood through the tunnels beneath London constr


Manchester mourns at the Glade of Light
CGI aerial view of Glade of Light memorial garden, Manchester (BCA Landscape) The City of Manchester will be marking the fifth anniversary of the Manchester Arena bombings today. Some will visit the 'Glade of Light' in the medieval part of the city - a memorial to those who died. Designed by BCA Landscape and Smiling Wolf, on a master-plan by Planit-ie, it was officially opened by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge this month. BCA Landscape said: 'It has been an honour to be


Leeds and levelling up: economy, infrastructure and the 'kind city'
Above: the eastern approaches to Leeds city centre (courtesy Leeds City Council) Our first panel discussion at our levelling up in Leeds invited the Leader of Leeds City Council, Cllr James Lewis, to give his vision for the future of the city, Liz Hunter, Head of Policy at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to describe the transport needs of a growing region, Peter Jenkins, Head of Transport at BDP to comment on how station assets can be used for a wider cultural and socia


The future for science innovation in Leeds
The Sir Henry William Bragg Building at Leeds University - Gracing the exterior of the building is a sculpture by Sara Barker. The artwork is titled ‘The Worlds of If’ – a reference to the possibilities that open up when scientists and engineers work together and share ideas (Image courtesy Leeds University / ADP) How can regional cities like Leeds compete both in the UK and globally for investment? How can city leaders ensure that the appropriate mix of science labs, offic


Cultural cities: investing for community and place
The Tetley contemporary art gallery - in the restored Art Deco former brewery HQ, part of the evolving Vastint residential and commercial development on Leeds South Bank, which includes the new Aire Park Leeds is using its rich heritage and cultural history to expand its offer for tourism and communities within the region. The British Library which has always had a foot in the city, is planning to open a larger museum and public archive centre at the historic mill, Temple Wor


Levelling up and UK cities: programme for Leeds Future Cities Forum
CGI render of how a transformed Temple Works on Leeds's South Bank would look if occupied by The British Library (Image courtesy developer CEG / The British Library). Jamie Andrews, Head of Culture & Learning at The British Library will be discussing these plans for expansion at Future Cities Forum in Leeds on 11th May. FUTURE CITIES FORUM Levelling Up and UK cities Running order for 11th May, 9.30 am to 12.30pm at the offices of DLA Piper, Princes Exchange, Leeds LS1 4BY. 9.