Go for it - Perth best city bid

Ambitious ideas part of mission to come first in Europe for sustainability

Perth has been urged to “go for it” in its ambition to become the most sustainable small city in Europe.

The second instalment of the Sustainable Perth Conference was held on December 4.

It thrashed out ideas for developing cycling, housing, waste recycling and outdoor recreation.

Bringing together 300 delegates online, the conference began planning ways for the city to make significant positive change that would help it to become the most sustainable small city in Europe.

Hosted by the Perth City Leadership Forum and Perth-based Royal Scottish Geographical Society, the conference grappled with ideas like a traffic-free city centre, local waste-toenergy schemes, community gardens, wild flower meadows on the Inches, affordable small housing for young people, and promoting nearby outdoor recreation.

The programme looked at cycling and walking routes, mountain biking infrastructure on Kinnoull Hill, and tree planting on major arterial routes.

“This conference has been a great success and the support has been overwhelming,” declared chair of Perth City Leadership Forum Mike Robinson.

“For any delegate at this event, or anyone in the city, this sustainable, positive vision presents an opportunity: an opportunity to get involved, an opportunity to help shape the future, and an opportunity to actually help to build that future.

“Both days were relentlessly optimistic – very much about what we could achieve if, rather than focusing on why we can’t.”

He urged Perth and Kinross to “play to its natural strengths and start building a future we can all believe in and rally round”.

The forum delivered workshops on issues such as food and environment, innovation and imagination, and motivating city leadership.

In attendance were companies and organisations from Perth and beyond including independent businesses and retailers, transport providers, public sector and council representatives and charity organisations.

“Perth has a wonderful quality of environment and most of us who live here really value that environment,” said Mr Robinson.

“By building on that natural strength there is a real opportunity to build a reputation for leading in this vital arena and to attract business and people who want to play a part in this positive and far-sighted agenda.”

Bo Asmus Kjeldgaard, the visionary behind converting Copenhagen from an industrial city into a place famed for a series of sustainable initiatives, gave his backing to Perth.

He said: “Perth should go for it, and think big.

“If you get a successful start - which this conference certainly has been - then you are halfway there.

“People want to join in a success story.

“So I hope this conference and expert input will give Perth the support to realise its vision to be the most sustainable small city in Europe.”

Cabinet secretary for environment, climate change and land reform and MSP for Perthshire South and Kinross-shire Roseanna Cunningham added: “Perth is best placed to really blaze a trail for sustainability in an urban context, developing a city and urban environment that is sustainable, safe and inclusive.”

Perth City Leadership Forum will digest the findings and results of this conference and launch its six key working groups in the new year.

Anyone with a stakehold in Perth’s future success is being encouraged to join the Perth Ambassador’s Programme.

And for those who wish to be more heavily involved, to join the working groups in early 2021.