Venue: Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
Date: Wednesday 18th March 2009
Time: 9am to 2pm
Click here to register for the event.
Conference overview
As national economies are increasingly integrated into the world economy, the role major cities play in driving economic development is rapidly changing.
It’s becoming increasingly clear that global cities are emerging as the new “city-states” of the 21st century.
Since the Commonwealth Games in 1982 and the World Expo in 1988, Brisbane has transformed economically, socially and culturally but there are still many challenges ahead.
In many ways Brisbane is unique in Australia. Brisbane is:
- capital city in the most decentralised state in the nation and home to one of the largest local governments in the world
- home to a strong economy and many young and dynamic new firms in emerging sectors as well as key players in traditional industries such as the mining sector
- developing the fastest growing port and airport in the nation with good stocks of industrial land close to key transport infrastructure
- continuing to attract new residents from interstate and overseas driving strong population growth and bringing new business and investment opportunities
Yet accompanying these advantages and the opportunities they bring is the challenge of maintaining the balance between growth, development and lifestyle.
In this State of the Capital Forum, CEDA, Brisbane Marketing’s Investment Attraction division and Brisbane City Council will gather together key political and business leaders,
academics and experts to look at how Brisbane can continue to grow and diversify so it can compete with the emerging new order of global cities.
The conference will analyse the following key issues:
- economic, business, trade and investment opportunities as well as the constraints on business development
- sustainability, planning and infrastructure challenges
- how the city is currently perceived in Australia and in the world and social, cultural and intellectual life of the city
Conference program
The first morning session will focus on what is required to move Brisbane ahead of the pack – what makes a global city. Speakers include:
- Cr Jane Prentice, Chairman, Public and Active Transport and Economic Development Committee and Chairman, Asia Pacific Cities Summit Steering Committee – Cr Prentice will provide some opening comments for the forum
- Professor Peter Newman, Curtin University and Board Member of Infrastructure Australia - Resilient Cities, Smart Cities, Competitive Cities
- Brian Pink, Australian Statistician, Australian Bureau of Statistics – Brisbane now and in 2026 (tbc)
- Chris Brown, Managing Director, Tourism & Transport Forum – Australian cities completing with the world
Following their presentations, the speakers will participate in a panel discussion.
The second morning session will build on the previous session by looking at the changing nature of the city, sustainable development, hard and soft infrastructure
required to assist Brisbane reach its economic potential and what is holding Brisbane back from becoming a global city. Speakers include:
- Ross Barker, Director, Department of Infrastructure and Planning – the reinvention of inner Brisbane
- Professor Brendan Gleeson, Director of the Urban Research Program, Griffith University and Board Member for the Urban Land Development Authority – new approaches to urban development and planning through “sustainability solutions”
- Steve Greenwood, Executive Director, Property Council of Australia – what’s holding Brisbane back – a development perspective
Following their presentations, the speakers will participate in a panel discussion.
The Lord Mayor of Brisbane will provide the lunchtime key note address outlining his vision for the city’s economic development, investment and trade outlooks. The address will commemorate the first 12 months in his second term as Lord Mayor for Brisbane.
The Lord Mayor will also be joined by Mr Chang Koo Lee Deputy Mayor of Incheon Metropolitan City, Republic of Korea for the launch of the 7th Asia Pacific Cities Summit to be held in Incheon from 15-17 September 2009.
Click here to register for the event.