Bookmarked: Leeds City Centre Vision - what the blogs say

Leeds has held its second Leeds City Centre Vision Conference - but what did some of the city's websites, blogs and social networking platforms make of it? Here's a round-up. Mike Chitty's Community Development blog talks about the perceived need for a 'hero', be it a mayor or industry captain, but rallies against a top-down approach. Chitty says: "We may need another River Island/Top Shop and a cinema chain from 'that London' to maintain our mid-table position in the list of medium sized mediocrities of European Cities (did I actually see that chart at some point yesterday?), but investing £1.25bn in shopping centres and arenas is not going to make this city a more beautiful place for all who choose to make their lives here. "Indeed I suspect it only serve to increase inequality in the city." The What if Leeds website, which is looking to form a vision for Leeds for the year 2030, has kicked off a debate following Friday's event. It's called: what if Leeds didn't undersell itself? The YEP also has a small piece on the event. Here's some reaction from Twitter: @ StudioJleeds : Thought the #LCCV conference was a really interesting day. Hope things happen sooner rather than later @CIHM_Becky : #LCCVC community is where we truly believe we belong together new CC needs to reflect that @hebemedia : Evert Verhagen was brilliant. The world is about cities, and the talent in them are what matter #lccvc @tomriordan : How do we get more people to use Leeds city centre who don't feel part of it? How do we work together to achieve that? #LCCVC @GreatBigFatDad : this is desperate stuff. who'll have the money to spend? the city centre will become a virtual gated community @thomashallam : 'we paid, you come, sit, listen, leave, digest' vs 'we all paid, we all come, we sit, share, plan, and progress' #lccvc @philkirby : Some of us live in Beeston ... Stop talking about us as if yr doing missionary work! #LCCVC and Where's the diversity in this audience? ... #LCCVC @financial_leeds Is comparing Leeds with Paris sensible or is Tom Riordan's vision to make Leeds the best city in the UK more grounded? #LCCVC @thomashallam #lccvc so confused Q) 'what build next' A) a city centre eden-esk-project. flexi work, social, enviro, health space What do you think? Post your comments in the section below. Feel free to add any links to blogs, reports or video I may have inadvertently missed out.