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Carfree neighbourhoods have been appearing across several European countries in recent years, but 'carfree housing' in the UK has all been small in scale, so far. The guidance for the Ecotowns programme is expected to change all that.

• What are carfree neighbourhoods? 
• How do they work in other countries? 
• What advantages and problems do they bring?
• Is the UK market ready for such innovations?
  

This conference, organised by Carfree UK and the University of the West of England is a must for anyone with an interest in the Ecotowns, urban regeneration or healthy cities.

Speakers on the day:

• Transport Minister Rosie Winterton will talk about the potential for transport innovation within the Ecotowns.
• Markus Heller, an architect from Berlin will describe the German experience of carfree developments, illustrated with examples from several cities
• Steve Melia of Carfree UK will relate this to U.K. conditions, drawing on his involvement with the Sherford development near Plymouth and his research into potential demand amongst home buyers.
• Anna Francis of Bioregional Consulting will set out the perspective of a UK developer already engaged in carfree and eco developments. 
• Dr. Adrian Davis of JMP Consultants will talk about physical activity, health, and how carfree development can help improve both, and Peter Lipman of Sustrans will talk about their engagement with the Ecotowns programme, and the potential for modal shift towards walking and cycling.

Break-out sessions in the afternoon will address the European experience, the health agenda and the practical challenges for planners and developers, with opportunities to network and share experience.