The partnership of Southampton City Council, Estates Gazette Group and Broadway Malyan believe that quality innovative design and positive image are fundamental to the future success of cities. Professionals who have a role to play in the future of cities from the fields of development, design, investment, planning, regeneration, marketing and local government were invited to come together to debate and share opinions and views on whether cities are losing their identity and distinctiveness, and if iconic architecture, strong planning policies and marketing of cities makes a difference. Whilst the debate was in Southampton, the subject City Identity - does it matter? related to cities worldwide and members of the panel and delegates were keen to share experiences of best and poor practice from around the world. Five key questions were posed to a panel of experts and you can listen to their response using the links below. INTRODUCTION - Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Channel 4 News Introduction (mp3 - 8mins 36sec - 4mb) QUESTION 1 - Jackie Somers, Surveyor, Strutt & Parker Can a city have a distinct identity and who decides what this is? (mp3 - 37mins 33sec - 17mb) QUESTION 2 - Lee Elliott, Associate Director, Jones Lang Lasalle Do the risks (to developers and local authorities) associated with bold and distinctive city development strategies outweigh the tangible rewards? (mp3 - 37mins 35sec - 17mb) QUESTION 3 - Gavin Hall, Planner, FPD Savills If you could make one change to the British planning system to achieve the goal of increased city identity - what would it be? (mp3 - 21mins 28sec - 10mb) QUESTION 4 - Steve Lawrence, Principal Planning Officer, Portsmouth City Council Are major urban regeneration projects more likely to succeed if they engage the cultural identity of their locality - if yes, what is your evidence? (mp3 - 29mins 56sec - 14mb) QUESTION 5 - James Webb, Principal Conservation Officer, Christchurch Borough Council Who do the panel think has the right to dictate what is 'good design'? (mp3 - 14mins 30sec - 6mb) For profiles of members of the panel click here Transcripts will be available as pdf documents by Thursday 8 April 2004.