The first of a series of three lectures aimed at stimulating discussion on Penarth's future was held at Stanwell Road Baptist Church on Tuesday evening.

The series is in preparation for a final presentation, due in April, of seven research projects being carried out by postgraduate students at the School of Geography and Planning, Cardiff University.

More than 50 people came to hear a talk by Dr Allison Dutoit, a resident of Penarth, as well as a senior lecturer at University of West of England and an Urban Expert with Gehl Copenhagen.

Dr Dutoit's talk, titled "Rethinking Our Places - Questions and Challenges", challenged conventional planning wisdom and explains what Gehl means when he says, 'First life, then spaces, then buildings – the other way never works'.

She discussed that successful change in towns and cities starts with thinking about people and how they behave in public spaces.

Dr Dutoit also said that it is possible to trial changes and evaluate their effects on the whole community before committing to the long term.

The thought-provoking talk resulted in a lively debate with interventions by Cllr Mike Cuddy, who talked of his experience in the Bristol Docks development, and Cllr Sivaruby Sivagnanam, who argued in support of the widest possible public engagement in respect of ideas for our town centre.

Members of Penarth Civic Society, Penarth Business Group, and Greening Penarth Gwrddyo were also in attendance and the audience was informed of the new Living Street Penarth group.

The next lecture will be in four weeks with a date to be confirmed.