AN urban renaissance could be on the cards for Worcestershire following a special summit meeting.

The region's development agency, Advantage West Midlands, has set out its proposals for a Centre of Regeneration Excellence to breathe new life into the region's towns and cities.

Delegates at the Centres of Regeneration Excellence summit, held at Millennium Point, Birmingham, heard leading design and planning experts outline plans to make the West Midlands' urban areas better places to live, and among the best in the world.

Karen Yeomans, from Advantage West Midlands, outlined how the region's own Centre of Excellence would encourage planners and designers to put people first and bring people back into town and city centres.

"We've made some huge strides in the last 20 years in making our urban areas better places to live," said Ms Yeomans at the meeting, held on Wednesday.

"But we still have a long way to go to match other European cities that have successfully created a better quality of urban life.

"If we are to attract people back into our towns and cities, we need more well-designed buildings, streets and neighbourhoods - all with good transport links and good homes at affordable prices - and more brownfield land and empty buildings brought back into use."

She said a "clear gap" between knowledge of best practice, current ideas and innovations, and actual experience of these things, had been identified in the West Midlands region.

"The Centre of Regeneration Excellence will bridge this gap and will be up and running by March 2003," she added.

"It will ensure that planners, designers, architects and transport experts can benefit from the best national and international expertise and advice either via a website or through advice and guidance from members of staff. The centre will also encourage colleges to provide that cutting-edge training.

"We look forward to working with our partners to deliver an urban renaissance in the West Midlands."