News Archive
Newport Unlimited hosts American students
27/06/07
Newport was under the international spotlight last week as it hosted ten students from the United States to analyse its regeneration strategy.
Urban regeneration company, Newport Unlimited, welcomed ten Masters students and Professor Eric Heikkila from the University of Southern California’s (USC) School of Policy, Planning and Development for a two week-long placement as part of their degree course.
Throughout their stay, the US students worked with Cardiff University students to produce a written report, focussing on coping with de-industrialisation, social development issues, Newport’s vision and identity and its relationship with neighbouring towns and cities.
On their final day, the students presented their findings to a panel made up of Newport Unlimited and Cardiff University.
One of the students, Lisa Herbst, 27, who is studying Public Administration and Urban Planning at the University of Southern California, said: "It’s been fascinating to come over to Newport and see the developments that are happening across the city.
"The purpose of our visit was to give us the opportunity to be at the coal face and pick up valuable workplace experience, treating Newport Unlimited as the client.
"Throughout our studies, we looked at ways in which sustainability can be encouraged by economic growth and tourism, as well as how the local community can be fully engaged to help create a real buzz throughout the city.
"Newport has enormous potential due to its history and its location. It’s ideally situated as a gateway into Wales, with excellent waterway connections via the river into the valleys and surrounding region. The fact that the 2010 Ryder Cup will be hosted in Newport is fantastic news and we’re keen to see the event used as a catalyst for the city’s regeneration.
"We hope we’ve been able to offer a fresh perspective on its regeneration programme and present some worthwhile ideas to Newport Unlimited. We’re looking forward to taking our experiences of Newport and the region back to the States and sharing best practice."
Throughout their stay, the students toured Newport and visited Cardiff and Bristol to study their regeneration programmes and to place Newport in context of its region. The group also attended lectures, question and answer sessions and receptions with the Welsh Assembly Government, Newport City Council and Cardiff University as part of their studies.
The placement is an elective part of the students’ course and is run in collaboration with the School of City and Regional Planning at Cardiff University and Newport Unlimited. This year is the first time that the scheme has been run internationally.
Andrew Dakin is director of regeneration at Newport Unlimited and is associate lecturer in regeneration at the School of City and Regional Planning at Cardiff University. He said: "The students have produced an insightful report with some very astute recommendations for Newport’s regeneration strategy.
"Cardiff University’s City and Regional Planning department is regarded as the top school in the UK, and the USC’s School of Planning, Policy and Development is also top for urban regeneration, so it’s great that the two Universities are working together to focus their attention on Newport."
Assembly Member, Jane Hutt, who met the students during their visit, said: "I was delighted to meet up with the international students during their visit to the Senedd and to see how much interest they had in Welsh politics and governance issues.
"I am also pleased to see such active cooperation between Cardiff University and the University of Southern California, as well as Newport Unlimited who have organised such a successful study visit and promoting Wales internationally."
Francesca Sartorio, lecturer at Cardiff University’s School of City and Regional Planning, said: "The hard work that has gone into setting up this project has really paid off as we’ve had excellent feedback from the students and all staff involved.
"What has been particularly valuable for the students is the intense experience of working as part of an international project team, and in close contact with fellow students and professionals from other countries and cultural backgrounds."
