MIU Conference 2011 index

The Ashkelon-Merhav Conference on Urban Economic Development
29-30 November 2011

Background:
In order to grow the Israeli economy and develop her cities, the conference will emphasize the critical connection between city planning and Local Economic Development (LED).

In the conference, the natural advantages of the city as an engine of economic growth will be presented, the deficiencies in policies and planning which create barriers to economic development will be clarified, and tools to overcome them will be presented.

A central component for achieving quality of life is the ability to create sustainable economic prosperity accessible to all. In the world today, the professional discourse on local economic development focuses on cities. Contrary to the perception in Israel that sustainable economic prosperity is a national or regional issue, world experts recognize that cities are the true engines for economic growth and that any strategy to achieve economic success that does not focus on cities will have difficulty succeeding.

Realizing the vision of a prosperous Israel with high quality of life for all, is dependent on recognizing and leveraging the critical role of cities to sustainable economic success.

Guest Speakers from Abroad:

Shelly Poticha Director of Sustainable Housing and Communities at US Housing and Urban Development

Somik Lall Lead Urban Economist 2009 World Development Report core team member World Bank

Scott Bernstein President and Co-Founder of the Center for Neighborhood Technologies

Glenn Yago Executive Director of Financial Research Milken Institute

Dhiru Thadani Board Member and Charter Member of the CNU – Congress for the New Urbanism

Joe Montgomery CEO Europe of the ULI - Urban Land Institute

The Social Struggle for Equal Opportunities Will be Decided at the Source of Opportunities – the Cities

Tracks and issues to be Addressed:

"the City as an Engine of Economic Growth"

Local Government and Its Role as the Leader of Economic Development Programs

Urbanism for Economic Development, Social Justice and Sustainability
Policy Tools and Planning Tools

The Natural Advantages Cities
for Economic Development
Theory, Experience and Principles for Implementation

The Local Government as Leader of
Tri-Sector Collaboration

Building New Neighborhoods versus Renewing Neglected Neighborhoods and Creating Vibrant City Centers

The Role of the Central Government in Economic Development Lead by the Local Authority

Capacities Necessary at the Local Authority to Lead Economic Development

What Brought on the Israeli Housing Crisis and What can be Done Differently

Sustainable Economic Development by Intensification and Infill of Existing Cities while Conserving the Environment

Tools for Housing + Transportation
Affordability and the Importance of Social Diversity for Economic Development

Tools for Financing Municipal Economic Development Projects

History of Local Economic Development and Lessons on the Critical Role of Cities

The Theory – Urban Economics and the Natural Advantages of Cities in Catalyzing and Strengthening Economic Development

Urban Design to Enhance the Economic Advantages of Cities

Sustainable Transportation to Enhance the Economic Advantages of Cities

Conference Structure: Plenary Sessions, Lectures and Discussions in Panels, Workshops, Tours of Ashkelon, Urbanism Awards, Cocktail Party and Networking.

Conference Overview

Program at a Glance

Topics and Questions to be Addressed at the Conference

Some References

Presentation on Local Economic Development in the Urban Context

Ashkelon Municipality

Ashkelon in Wikipedia