Press Association reports Foundation's conference "Globalisation from the Bottom Up"

6 February 2009 – Press Association – Article

The "brutal and insensitive" process of globalisation was attacked by the Prince of Wales, who suggested "locally inspired" solutions could one day benefit the world.

Charles praised cities, towns and villages that had retained their sense of community which equipped people to deal with problems like climate change and food security.

The heir to the throne made the comments in a major speech at a conference organised by his charity the Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment and held at St James's Palace.

He criticised "poor planning and place making" that had helped degrade the natural environment and "fostered dislocation and rootlessness, not to mention ugliness".

The Prince told the delegates: "Well-made places are fundamental to the ability to establish locally inspired solutions to local issues - and, indeed, local solutions to global ones."

He added that urban and rural settlements evolved over centuries and were rooted in traditions and their environment that had helped create a bond amongst its inhabitants.

Charles said: "This sense of community and place equips people better, both to meet many of the challenges we face, such as climate change and food security, and to create opportunities.

"Economic advantages will arise from celebrating local assets and capitalising upon diversity."

The Prince asked the delegates if the world could build developments that respected existing settlements, improved living standards and accommodated the expected flood of migrants to urban areas.

The one-day conference, Globalisation From The Bottom Up, showcased schemes from across the globe which are sensitively developing or restoring historic or poor areas hand in hand with local people.