Friday 3 July 2009

Venue   

Registration

Welcome coffee

Opening Remarks

• Giulio Tremonti, Minister of Economy and Finance, Italy
• Mario Pezzini, Deputy Director, Public Governance and Territorial Development Directorate (OECD)

In attendance:

Silvio Berlusconi, Prime Minister, Italy, 
Gianni Letta, Under Secretary of State, Prime Minister’s Office.

The parallel sessions will be introduced by a short documentary on L’Aquila today produced by Catleya and Sensicinema (DPS), directed by Stefano Sollima.

3 Parallel Sessions

Panel 1 - Sala Azzurra

Policies to redevelop and valorize the role of the University of L’Aquila and promote links with business

Facilitator:

Mario Pezzini, Deputy Director, Public Governance and Territorial Development Directorate (OECD)

External experts:  

• John Goddard, Professor Emeritus, CURDS, Newcastle University, United Kingdom
• Andrea Bonaccorsi, Professor, Pisa University, Italy

The redevelopment of L’Aquila economy depends on the future of the University, which has played a pivotal role and can be the source of growth and innovation. Having sustained damage in the earthquake, the University of L’Aquila must decide how to redesign itself to re-attract students and strengthen the links with the region. The promotion of linkages between university and businesses is also needed. This requires a strategy to address the following questions:

• What potential strengths make the university excellent compared to other universities? How can the University shape its assets by strengthening its international profile?
• What physical design would best allow the University to meet its goals of high quality academic offerings? Where should different departments or schools be located? (e.g. the Medical School, Basic Sciences Departments, Engineering School, and Humanities Departments).
• How can the University respond to students need for lodging in the short and long term?
• What types of partnerships can the University develop with local entrepreneurs to support regional innovation, provide research services to business, and create employment opportunities for graduates?
• What business projects could be launched in the short-term to strengthen the links between business and university?

Panel 2 - Sala del Parlamentino

Policies to renew the city’s attractiveness by strategic choices on restoration and promoting key innovative services

Facilitator:

Monica Brezzi, Senior Economist, Head of Regional Statistics Unit, Public Governance and Territorial Development Directorate (OECD)

External expert:  

• Mounir Bouchenaki, Director General ,International Centre for the Study of Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM)

Though prior to the earthquake, L’Aquila benefited from a relatively high standard of living, which must be restored to remain attractive to a critical mass of users of the city’s public goods and services. Given that the historical centre was a primary attraction, but it was under utilised, developing a strategy for restoration and a vision of a multi-polar economy must be central and re-launch the city.

• Can the reconstruction of L’Aquila provide a foundation for redevelopment of the greater economy, creating opportunities for innovation and attracting expertise on restoration and cultural preservation?
• What are the key priorities for the historical centre’s redevelopment so it can attract residents, student and visitors? How will the short-term supply of houses provided by the Government and the timing of reconstruction fit the housing demand of residents and students?
• What integrated basket of services can facilitate other sources of economic growth and enhance the city attractiveness? How can the supply and quality of services respond to the needs of the city’s different users?

Panel 3 - Sala Polivalente

Engagement, information communication and capacity building for effective multi-level governance of redevelopment

Facilitator:

Janos Bertok, Senior Policy Analyst – Head of Integrity Unit, Innovation and Integrity Division, Public Governance and Territorial Development Directorate (OECD)

External expert:  

• Edward Andersson, Deputy Director, INVOLVE, United Kingdom
• Chris Harman,CEO, SCH Associates, United Kingdom

A wide range of actors is involved in the development strategy, including different levels of government, the private sector, and civil society. To achieve an effective economic development strategy and reconstruction process, the multiple roles and responsibilities involved must be clarified and coordinated. Three main issues arise linked to how to design and implement the most efficient and effective development strategy for the area:

• How can the complex governance structure deriving from the extraordinary situation work most efficiently in ensuring cooperation among levels of government?
• Does the local governance structure have the capacity to carry out the task of redeveloping L’Aquila’s economy? How to put at the disposal of the multi level governance a task force that can implement the defined srategy? 
• How can the transparency and integrity of the decision-making process be assured? How can the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) help transfer information about resource allocation, new regulations and decisions? How can the use of ICT help to increase the accountability of the different actors involved and help people to form an opinion and contribute to decisions?

Buffet Lunch

Plenary Session

Reporting of the options considered in the parallel sessions and general discussion

Coffee Break

Plenary Session

Closing remarks

• Mario Pezzini, Deputy Director, Public Governance and Territorial Development Directorate (OECD)
• Giulio Tremonti, Minister of Economy and Finance, Italy
• Massimo Cialente, Mayor of L’Aquila
• Stefania Pezzopane, President of L’Aquila Province
• Giovanni Chiodi, President of Abruzzo Region

In attendance:

Silvio Berlusconi, Prime Minister, Italy, 
Gianni Letta, Under Secretary of State, Prime Minister’s Office.