BY BILLY BRUCE
VALDOSTA — Inspiration comes to renowned urban planner and author Charles Landry in many forms, but what makes him tick is associating with people like him who understand the complexities of cities and love the challenge of making those work in harmonious concert.
“The successful city and cultural leaders who somehow are able to make something as complex as a city work and adapt to the future (inspires me),” Landry says in an interview posted on his Web site at www.charleslandry.com.
Landry is guest speaker at an event sponsored by the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce, 12-1:30 p.m. Monday at James H. Rainwater Conference Center on Norman Drive next to the Hampton Inn and Suites.
Seating is limited. Those interested in attending who didn’t make the RSVP deadline of July 2 should call the Chamber Monday before the event at 229-247-8100.
Landry has authored several books on urban planning and similar subjects, including “The Intercultural City: Planning for Diversity Advantage,” “The Creative City: A Tool Kit for Urban Innovators,” “Innovative and Sustainable Cities,” and “The Art of City Making.”
Landry, born in 1948, studied in the UK, Germany and Italy. He founded Comedia, a highly respected European consultant company in 1978. Comedia works in creativity, culture and urban change. Landry, through the company, has worked on hundreds of projects and delivered presentations in 45 countries to audiences ranging from the wealthy to those of lesser fortune, including Albania, Australia, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Dubai, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, The Ukraine, U.S. and Yemen.
Landry is known for working closely with decision makers and local leaders, acting as a “critical friend” to inspire, facilitate and stimulate leaders so cities can “transform for the better,” his biography on the Web site states.
“Valdosta-Lowndes County is fortunate to be in a position where we can explore a variety of options as they relate to expansion and growth,” said Evan Butler-Sands, marketing and public relations director for the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce. “We have the resources in place, and the community leaders in charge that care about making the right decisions and the proper plans that will ensure Valdosta-Lowndes County becomes a gold standard for regional growth and development.
“With that said, we are honored and delighted to be able to bring someone as distinguished and accomplished as Charles Landry into our community,” Butler-Sands added. “His expertise in city redevelopment and expansion will add a vital perspective and an ‘outside the box’ realm of thought as we all come together and lay plans that will take Valdosta-Lowndes County to new-found levels of economic prosperity, recreational abundance, and cultural amenities."
Landry works collaboratively with clients by undertaking custom research, and his participation in projects help to revitalize public, social and economic life through cultural activity, to visionary city and regional strategies or rethinking assets and potential. He’s completed nearly 200 assignments for a variety of public and private clients.
“He helps find original solutions to seemingly intractable urban dilemmas such as marrying innovation and tradition, balancing wealth creation and social cohesiveness or local distinctiveness and a global orientation,” the bio states. “Seen as the international authority on creativity and city futures, he focuses especially on how the culture of a place can invigorate and revitalize the economy, enhancing the sense of self and confidence.”
