RURAL FUTURES CONFERENCE

[office at tlio.demon.co.uk]

Rural and Urban Futures: 
Distinctions and Dependencies 

A one-day conference jointly organised by: 
The Countryside Agency, 
Sustainable Development Commission, 
Rural Futures and Urban Forum. 

Wednesday 26 June, 2002 at 10.30am 

Bedford Corn Exchange, Bedford 
(hosted by Bedfordshire County Council and Bedford Borough Council) 

Conference Aims: 

Issues of sustainability and quality of life unite us all. Wherever we live we 
all consume food, need housing and services, use transport and are ultimately 
affected by global issues such as climate change. But rural areas still supply 
most of our food, comprise a valuable landscape and wildlife resource and host 
many visitors and tourists. Meanwhile urban areas are often hubs for the 
provision of employment and services to commuters, local communities and the 
surrounding areas. In many ways urban, rural and suburban areas face common 
challenges. Common themes and dependencies need to be identified and tackled by 
those operating at the national, regional and sub-regional level. Regional 
Development Agencies and Local Authorities for example, are increasingly 
looking at ways of addressing regional needs and bringing town and country 
together. 
Uniting themes such as environmental quality, health, and social exclusion 
demand a more joined up approach. 

This conference takes 4 key policy sectors as a focus for discussion: 

-sustainable food and farming 
-access to transport and services 
-housing provision 
-sustainable energy 

Leading academics and practitioners will present papers to stimulate 
debate. Through participatory working groups the conference will open up 
discussion that aims to: 

- Look at current rural/urban inter-dependencies and influences 
- Assess future rural/urban/suburban trends 
- Consider current and future policy needs in the context of sustainable 
development 
- Assess current policy gaps – for example via the Rural and Urban White 
Papers 
- Consider whether and where greater integration and “joined up” policy 
and practice are needed. 

Programme 
9.45-10.30 Registration 
10.30-10.35 Welcome 
Hosts Bedfordshire County Council/ Bedford Borough Council 
10.35- 10.45 Setting the scene – Conference Chair 
Professor Mark Shucksmith, Co-Director, Arkleton Centre for Rural 
Development Research and Scottish Centre for Research in Social Justice 

10.45 Food and Farming 
Terry Marsden, Professor of Environmental Policy and Planning, Cardiff 
University 
Michael Hart, Chair, Small and Family Farms Alliance 

11.20 Energy 
Pat Devine Wright, Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development, De 
Montfort University 
Richard Davies, Director, Marches Energy Agency 

11.55-12.30 Housing 
Craig Watkins, Department of Land Economy, Aberdeen University 
Ed Barnes, East of England Regional Officer, National Housing Federation 

12.30-1.05 Transport and Services 
James Shorten, School of Planning, University of the West of England 
Catherine Chater, Co-ordinator, Faringdon Market Towns Health Check 

After each sector participants will have the opportunity to discuss and 
reflect on the speakers presentations in preparation for the afternoon 
working groups. 

1.05-1.15 Identification of key themes and introduction to afternoon 
working 
groups 

1.15-2.15 BUFFET LUNCH 

2.15-3.15 Working Groups 

3.15-3.35 Afternoon tea 

3.35–4.10 Distinctions and Dependencies: key messages 
Richard Wakeford, Sustainable Development Commissioner 
Professor Mark Shucksmith 

4.10 – 4.25 Minister – tbc 
4.25-4.30 Closing Remarks 
Postal Registration Form: Rural and Urban Futures – 26 June 2002 

How to register: 
Post this completed registration form with cheque to Rural Futures, PO 
Box 
26, KNIGHTON, LD8 2WB. 

Conference fees (Tick box) 
? £85 (including lunch) 

? £55 concessionary – voluntary sector/unwaged (including lunch) 

I enclose registration fees of £ ……. 

Please make cheques payable to ‘Rural Futures’. 

Receipt Required – yes ? no ? 
(Receipts to be collected on the day) 

Signed……………………………….. 

Dated……………… 

Your details: 

Name:………………………………… 

Organisation (if any)………………… 

Address: ………….…………………………….. 

Postcode…………….. 

Tel……………. 

E-mail address……………………… 

Full programme, academic papers and travel details will be sent nearer the 
event. 

Travel information: 
The Corn Exchange is a 10minute walk from Bedford Railway Station 
Please note: 
Trains from Kings Cross Thameslink, London : 8.46am 9.00am 9.04am 
Bedford: 9.48 10.01 10.06 
Airports: Luton airport (direct train link from Luton Parkway to 
Bedford) 
Gatwick (direct train link to Bedford) 

Programme subject to change. Whilst every effort will be made to ensure the 
above programme, the organisers reserve the right to alter the programme 
subject to unavoidable circumstances. 
Contact 
Judith Whateley 
judithwhateley at onetel.net.uk