Coventry’s Regeneration Initiatives have grabbed the attention of other European delegates at a major conference.

The City’s successes in its’ innovative approaches to regeneration zones, partnership working, city centre redevelopment and management, and strategic land use and transportation planning which crosses local authority boundaries, all highlight practical ways forward for other cities across Europe to follow.

Conference delegates have already agreed that countries need to plan and work together in a more co-ordinated way, to set the framework for making strategic decisions about jobs, the environment and transport.

Councillor Nick Nolan, Councillor Arthur Waugh, John McGuigan and David Taylor are representing Coventry at the Vienna conference, the largest ever European Forum of its’ kind to be held. 600 representatives are meeting to discuss how major European policy and finance (£10 billion) will be applied to European cities of the future.

Councillor Arthur Waugh, Deputy Leader of the Council said,

"We’ve been very encouraged by the response we’ve had from our European partners in terms of our approach to regeneration, the drive for real jobs, and the redevelopment of our city centre. Coventry has much to learn from Europe but also much to pass on."

Councillor Nick Nolan, Chair of the Economic Regeneration Policy Team said,

"Coventry’s position in Europe has been reaffirmed by our commitment to jobs, sustainable prosperity and city centre regeneration. The key words in Europe now are ‘tangible progress that people can see and be a part of.’ – That’s Coventry’s agenda. In listening to EU Commissioner’s speeches, what is clear is that the real agenda is about getting people into work."