We explored how creativity and innovation should play a crucial role in developing a response to the economic downturn. In particular, drawing on lessons from a research study of six local authorities around the world, the talk introduced the concept of local economic resilience, and presented a possible way forward, with the downturn viewed as an opportunity to rethink how we carry out local economic development.

The session concluded with an interactive introduction and sample of the Future City Game - a tool developed by the British Council and UK city partners CLES (Centre for Local Economic Strategies) and URBIS.