Coop coast - architecture, culture and inter-urban exchange

Lecture and panel discussion at the Imagined Cites conference as part of Folkestone Triennial 2014. Many of the artists participating in the 2014 Folkestone Triennial work at the intersection between art, architecture and urbanism. The two-day conference looked at the relationship between art and architecture in the way that cities and towns are planned and built, as well as how they are experienced as places to live, work, play and learn. The conference was inspired by the tagline – 'A City Imagined' – for East Kent's controversial bid to become City of Culture 2017. The bid created an imagined city that included one official city (Canterbury), two towns (Ashford and Dover), a district (Shepway, including Folkestone) and the 'Isle' of Thanet. The bid failed to make the shortlist but provoked a lively debate about our preconceived ideas around architecture and urbanism, and how we might re-imagine the notion of the city. The first day brought together artists, architects, planners and thinkers to explore issues around masterplanning. The second day looked at the impact of culture-led regeneration, its legitimacy, challenges and legacy, with particular focus on the Kent coast. Keynote speakers included Sir Terry Farrell, architect, and Jude Kelly, artistic director, Southbank Centre. Speakers included: Pablo Bronstein; Ben Campkin; Brigitte Orasinski; Mark Davy; Diane Dever; Owen Hatherley; Sam Jacob; Sue Jones; Kieran Long; Fred Manson; Anna Minton; Rowan Moore; muf architecture/art; Victoria Pomery; Vicky Richardson; Darren Smith; Something & Son; Gabor Stark; Wouter Vanstiphout; and Finn Williams