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Search forBristol crowned 'city of the year'
Thursday, November 27, 2008, 09:36
We beat off competition from fellow finalists Manchester and Newcastle to win the prize.
Bristol won because the judges said it had:
A strong economy, including a dynamic business sector and a skilled workforce
A distinctive sense of place and history
Superb quality of life and a vibrant culture
Mixed-use developments plus good transport links.
The award has been welcomed by the City's Lord Mayor Councillor Chris Davies.
The leader of the city council, Helen Holland, was delighted.
She said: "I think one of the selling points of Bristol is the diversity of the city.
"We've got fantastic man-made features like Clifton Suspension Bridge as well as natural features that come to the fore, like the Harbourside.
"The academy members who visited the city were clearly impressed by the number of world class sustainable organisations here.
"It's about getting the balance for our future growth and having a high quality of life for people in this wonderful city of ours."
Bristol was named best city in the UK and Ireland at a ceremony in Liverpool. The award was made by the Academy of Urbanism, whose 100 members include industry-leading architects, planners, engineers, developers and designers.
Chairman John Thompson said: "Bristol has won because of its overall quality of life and opportunities, plus they're making a significant effort on sustainability issues, which we were very impressed with. It has transformed itself and become a very good place to be – it has a pretty vibrant economy and is well-placed for all sorts of reasons."
Bristol's official title is European City of the Year.
City architect George Ferguson, one of the founders and a director of the Academy of Urbanism, said: "It was a warm feeling to have recognition that Bristol is the best provincial city in Britain. We have a lot to do to bring ourselves up to the standard of some European cities, but we have a great start.
"This gives us a real boost, along with the shortlisting of Bristol as green capital of Europe. To have recognition from outside that we are such a good place is only good for the city."
Business leaders also welcomed the news.
John Savage, chief executive of GWE Business West, said: "This is probably the most important accolade of the many that the city has received recently.
"It's not by chance, but the product of much coordinated work in effective partnerships over 20 years. I am delighted."
Bristol cabinet member Councillor Mark Bradshaw, who is in charge of environment matters, said it was "brilliant news".
And Colin Sexstone, chief executive of Bristol City Football Club, said: "I am a Bristolian and it is a magnificent city.
"I have travelled widely in the UK and as far as I am concerned nowhere else comes close to it."
Chris Balch, a panel member of the Academy of Urbanism, said: "Bristol is a vibrant and cosmopolitan European city – its international profile reflects a rich fusion of cultural heritage, surrounding natural beauty and a bustling mix of communities.
"Importantly, Bristol's residents feel relatively safe by comparison with other cities."
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