Katikati, Tauranga and Te Puke's social and economic development are at the forefront of discussions with international community development expert Peter Kageyama visiting the Bay this week.

The author of book ‘For the Love of Cities' and co-founder and producer of the Creative Cities Summit (an interdisciplinary event that brings together citizens and practitioners around the big idea of the city) is staging a series of community workshops and business forums in the region.

International community development expert Peter Kageyama is holding workshops in the Bay this week.

Today, Peter is visiting Te Puke to host ‘For the love of Te Puke' community workshop at noon at the Te Puke Memorial Hall.

Peter says his workshops have the 'potential to act as a catalyst for change”.

'The workshop identifies key community assets, including the emotionally-engaged citizens that shape the city; and it develops strategies and tactics to engage these local development resources. We emphasise locally-based solutions that do not require significant resources, and can be quickly implemented.”

Peter's book ‘For the Love of Cities' has been recognised as a Top 10 book for 2012, in urban planning, design and development. In 2004, Peter produced the first Creative Cities Summit in St Petersburg, Florida. Since then, he has hosted numerous workshops across North America and the world sharing his vision.

'The basic premise of my work is in helping develop entrepreneurial ideas that are ‘lighter, faster, cheaper', and provoking stronger community engagement to contribute to a city's future development,” says Peter.

Chamber of Commerce chief executive Max Mason says Peter's visit and workshops are well-timed for the city.

'This reinforces the need for Tauranga to develop a strong vision that the entire community connects and engages with,” says Max.

Peter will also undertake a Mainstreets' workshop this afternoon and a visit to Tauriko School to see the unveiling of their new community mural.

Creative Tauranga chief executive Tracey Rudduck-Gudsell, who invited Peter to come to Tauranga and share his vision, says: 'On hearing Peter speak a year ago in Northland I knew instantly he was the positive injection that Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty needs”.

'His delivery is inspirational and his workshop is for anyone and everyone who wants to improve their city, that can open their minds to the possibility of doing things differently; and who want to create meaningful places,” says Jacqui.

'The common cry these days is that the soul of our cities has been deflated and we aimlessly float around in placeless spaces – join the workshop and be inspired.”

Peter started with a ‘For the love of Katikati' workshop at Katikati Heritage Museum on Monday evening exploring and generating new ideas and ways of thinking about community, social and economic development.

He also attended a Tauranga Chamber of Commerce's Chamber Leaders Breakfast presentation yesterday morning, led by chief executive Max Mason before hosting his ‘For the Love of Tauranga Community' workshop at the Historic Village Hall.