28 February 2013

Nearly 500 Residents Took Part In Palmerston North Creativity Survey

Internationally renowned urban strategist Charles Landry will arrive in Palmerston North tomorrow for a week-long residency in which he will Index the City against 14 other cities from around the world.

Prior to his arrival an appeal was made throughout the city for residents from all walks of life to take part in a survey aimed at discovering Palmerston North’s creative strengths and weaknesses.

424 people took part in the short survey and 65 took part in the 50 minute long survey.

Policy planner (urban design) Geoff Wilkinson says the response to the survey has been fantastic. “It’s very encouraging and will provide Charles with a good feel for our city.”

The survey is the basis for the Index, which Mr Landry will create following his residency which will includes a public meeting, one-on-one meetings, group meetings and workshops.

Everyone who took part in the survey and all other interested parties are invited to attend the first public meeting on Monday, 4 March in Sound and Vision in Palmerston North City Library at 5:30pm.

Geoff Wilkinson says, “The aim of developing a Creative Cities Index for Palmerston North is to help residents and Council staff asses how well we are harnessing the collective imagination and creative potential in the city.”

The Index is an initiative that came out of the Urban Design Strategy which was approved by Council in the 2012 Long Term Plan.

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Charles Landry is the author of ‘Art of Creative City Making’, he has written extensively on the necessity of creativity in developing successful, vibrant and sustainable cities. He has developed research and creative initiatives for some of the world’s greatest cities including Chicago, Sydney, Seattle, Vancouver and Glasgow, as well as smaller cities like Palmerston North.

ENDS

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