Member Article

Newcastle and Gateshead put to the test

Last week Newcastle and Gateshead welcomed judges who will put the town and city to the test to see if they can become the European City of the Year 2009.

Judges from the Academy of Urbanism descended on Newcastle and Gateshead on Thursday to see for themselves what unique qualities the destinations offer that make them stand out as places of urban excellence.

The Academy’s Chair, John Thompson, its Director of Communications, Linda Gledstone, the Managing Director of DTZ UK and Ireland, Chris Balch, and academicians will assess the urban impact of the two destinations against competitors.

Ten cities were chosen by the public in a national vote with the joint team of Newcastle and Gateshead shortlisted as one location alongside Manchester and Bristol. Judges have already visited the other shortlisted contenders.

The national title will be awarded in November, at a ceremony at St George’s Hall, Liverpool. Last year Grainger Town won the Great Neighbourhood category of the awards against London’s Soho and Dublin’s popular Temple Bar area.

Andrew Dixon, Chief Executive of NewcastleGateshead Initiative: said: “We are delighted that NewcastleGateshead has been shortlisted for the Academy of Urbanism’s European City of the Year 2009 award.

“Combined with last year’s success of Grainger Town winning the Academy’s Great Neighbourhood award, this joins a growing list of accolades and can only further build on the dynamic culture-led regeneration of NewcastleGateshead and its transformation as a world-class destination to live, work, learn, visit and do business.”

John Thompson, Chairman of the Academy said: “We are delighted to be celebrating the success of these wonderful cities, towns, neighbourhoods, streets and places by selecting them as finalists for the Urbanism Awards 2009. We want to learn what makes these places fantastic to live and work in and to visit and use this information to help us create the great places of the future.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .