S1:E2 What makes a great city? – Ben Rogers in conversation with Criena Gehrke

05/06/21 • 49 min

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Summary:
In this episode, our host Criena Gehrke speaks with urbanist Ben Rogers about the differing factors influencing urban planning and policy today. In particular, they discuss how the pandemic and current political climate have affected cities, and highlighted the importance of long-term urban strategy as well the need to reclaim and democratise public spaces.

Thereafter, Criena is joined by fellow host Stephanie Furtunato to discuss key takeaways. They reflect upon how this is an opportune moment to reimagine the possibilities for cities to become more community-centric.

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External references mentioned in this episode:

Bio:

Ben Rogers is an urbanist, researcher, writer and speaker, with a particular interest in urban life, citizenship, public service reform and the built environment.

He founded the Centre for London in 2011 and was an Associate Director of Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) for five years and subsequently led strategy teams at Haringey Council, the Department for Local Government and Communities and the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit, where he wrote the government’s strategy on ‘Quality of Place’.

He is currently Professor of Practice at University of London and a Visiting Senior Fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), where he will lead a new strand of research on European Cities, building on his interests in civic engagement, public space and urban democracy.

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External references mentioned in this episode:

Bio:

Ben Rogers is an urbanist, researcher, writer and speaker, with a particular interest in urban life, citizenship, public service reform and the built environment.

Previous Episode

S1:E1 Leading with empathy and kindness – Claire Spencer in conversation with Adrian Ellis

Ep 1: Leading with empathy and kindness – Claire Spencer in conversation with Adrian Ellis

In this inaugural episode of The Three Bells, recorded on March 10, 2021 – our host Adrian Ellis (Founder and Chair of the Global Cultural Districts Network), speaks with Claire Spencer, CEO of Arts Centre Melbourne.

They cover a lot of ground: Claire's route to her current position, the remarkable project she conceived - The Arts Wellbeing Collective which she founded in 2016, but which is also perfectly designed for the present moment, the formidable precinct development currently in planning for which the Victoria government has committed a AU$1.5b for the first phase, the broadening mission of cultural organizations post-COVID, and the responsibilities of anchor institutions for their wider communities.

Afterwards, Adrian is joined by fellow podcast host Criena Gehrke, (CEO, HOTA, Home of the Arts) for the second part of the episode: the Key Takeaways segment.

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The Three Bells podcast is produced by AEA Consulting and the Binnacle Foundation, for the Global Cultural Districts Network (GCDN). More information and supporting material can be found at https://thethreebells.net

Next Episode

S1:E3 Making the case for artistic risk-taking – Victoria Broackes in conversation with Adrian Ellis

Summary:
In this episode, our host Adrian Ellis speaks with Victoria Broackes, the current Director of the London Design Biennale. Drawing on her curatorial experiences, they speak candidly about the challenges facing cultural programming, particularly in relation to the opportunities presented by digital technology, and the untapped possibilities of experiential exhibition-making.

Thereafter, Adrian is joined by fellow host Criena Gehrke to discuss key takeaways. They reflect upon the tensions facing artistic risk-taking as well as the need for cultural programming to tell meaningful and resonant stories.
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References:

Further Reading:

“Taking Risk in Times of Adversity”

Bio:
Victoria Broackes is a curator and exhibition maker, currently Director of the London Design Biennale. Prior to joining the Biennale in 2019, Victoria was Senior Curator for the V&A Department of Theatre & Performance. From 2009 to 2018 she was Head of the London Design Festival at the V&A. In 2016 she was the V&A curator for the British entry for the inaugural London Design Biennale, Forecast by Barber & Osgerby. Victoria has curated multiple successful exhibitions at the V&A, of which many are popular music displays. This includes Pink Floyd, Their Mortal Remains (2017), You Say You Want a Revolution? Records and Rebels, 1966-70 (2016) and David Bowie (2013), Kylie: The Exhibition (2007), The Story of the Supremes (2008) and The House of Annie Lennox (2011). David Bowie Is (2013), is the fastest-selling exhibition in the V&A museum’s history. She co-presented the film David Bowie is Happening Now and featured in the documentary about You Say You Want a Revolution? which was presented at the Mill Valley Film Festival in California.