The 10th Edge Debate: 22nd June 2000

E.Commerce: It's impact on the design of the city

E.commerce is having a profound effect, but what is it? This debate focuses on the impact of the city, and in particular, the City. It focuses on the impact on the city as a product and a place, rather than the construction of buildings in the city as a process. This evening seeks insight into a range of questions, which might include some of the following:

• Is e.commerce just another new business, which like its predecessors needs space for its employees, a supportive and vibrant business community, accessible homes, relevant education, and an effective transport system?
• Is it just the latest vehicle for investment capital to capture the minds of traditional city institutions.
• Or does e.commerce threaten, in some way, the structure, density, vibrancy, social cohesion, or life-force of the city.
• If spatial the criterion of proximity is less important, does that in turn threaten the investment value of property in the city centre
• Do markets based on e.trade need a place in space or just a place in virtual space?

The discussion took the form of invited speakers each presenting short summaries of papers that were circulated. Chris Colbourne, a former director of the Education Department at the RIBA, an architect and a director of a Property Company, Masterworks, chaired the event. The speakers were:

Paper 1: E.Com and the design of the City - The impact on the City as a product and a place

Judith Mayhew - Chair Policy and Resources in the Corporation of London and a lawyer with Clifford Chance

Paper 2: E.Com and the design of the City

Alexander Reid - Director General of the RIBA and an expert on the impact of telecom and IT on our cities and communities

Paper 3: E.Com and the design of the City

Charles Leadbeater - Independent writer, author of 'Living on Thin Air - the New Economy' has been Labour Editor and Industrial Editor of the Financial Times. He is a member of the government's competitive Council and an adviser to Tony Blair's Downing Street Policy Unit.

Action points generated on the night.