This is a major conference on the theme of The Vital City being held under the auspices of the European Urban Research Association (EURA). EURA brings together an inter-disciplinary network of urban researchers from across Europe and beyond. It provides a forum for cross-national debate on urban policy and acts as a bridge between research and policy in this rapidly urbanising world. The conference will celebrate its 10th Anniversary and be an opportunity for urban researchers and policy makers to engage in lively debate and exchange knowledge and ideas about the challenges involved in achieving The Vital City in different European settings.

There is an emerging conventional wisdom about European cities which argues that they are vital to the future of our societies. Yet many questions remain for urban policy and research. Is the new thinking consistent with the challenges of social inclusion? Are consumption-orientated urban strategies sustainable in economic and ecological terms? Are there losers as well as winners among cities in the more competitive environment? What are the roles of national governments and the EU in balancing territorial cohesion and globalisation? Can fuzzy concepts of cohesion, competitiveness and sustainability be sharpened and can the propositions linking these processes be validated empirically? What happens to neighbourhoods? These are some of the themes the conference will be exploring.

Paula Lucci, Researcher at the Centre for Cities, will be presenting a paper co-authored with Max Nathan on 'The 'Consumer Economy' in UK Cities: An Economically Sustainable Strategy?'.