What contribution can university-community collaborations make to the creation of flourishing cities? 

Successful urban living requires community-focused innovation, local knowledge and collaboration between universities, communities and cities. How do we create smart, interconnected cities which will promote empowerment and limit exclusion? How do we develop new forms of collaboration to boost diversity and reduce poverty, nurture creativity and eradicate disadvantage? 

To explore these and many other questions, Connected Communities and Urban Living Pilots invite you to join us at this free event, dedicated to finding new ways in which universities and civil society organisations, local authorities and general public can all work together to co-create, re-invent and improve life in the city and its surroundings.

Why should I attend? 

The event will enable the delegates to better understand the challenges and opportunities of collaborative work around flourishing cities, engaged citizens and sustainable urban environment. With a series of parallel discussions and informal workshops, it will provide a friendly and informal forum for stimulating conversations, co-produced knowledge and critical responses to city challenges and social action. It will bring together universities and funders, urban communities and local government representatives to co-create substantive knowledge and practical solutions to the future of urban living. 

To find out more about individual sessions and speakers, see our Programme

We welcome academics and community organisations, future learners and digital technologists, smart city planners and local authorities, heritage specialists and environmental experts, artists, performers, creative imaginaries and engaged citizens.

What can I expect? 

This is a free two-day forum but you must register to be able to participate. You are welcome to come to one or two days of the event. Each Day Ticket will enable you to pick one slot in each of the 3 parallel sessions.

All roundtable sessions will be running in Cinema 1 (C1), talks and presentations in Cinema 2 (C2), small interactive sessions in Waterside 1 (W1) and hands-on workshops in Waterside 3 (W3). Cinema 2 (40 spaces) and Waterside 1 (15 spaces) have limited capacity. To participate in smaller sessions, make sure you turn up early each time to secure your seat. Places in these sessions will be allocated on the first come first serve basis.

We will not be able to provide refreshments for the delegates, but you are welcome to use Watershed Cafe or any of the numerous bars, cafes and restaurants in Bristol's historic harbourside.

For more information about the event please visit our website:
citiesandcommunities.com

We look forward to welcoming you at Watershed on 12 & 13 July!