A SERIES of ‘Question-Time style’ debates has been launched to discuss city issues such as affordable housing and rapid urbanisation.

Kellogg College will host seminars every two months for the next year so that a ‘cross-section of people from different backgrounds’ can debate urban issues.

Historians, artists and architects will begin the series of debates next week by discussing whether public art has a place in, or as part of, the urban environment.

David Toman, a tutor of sustainable urban development at the college, said: “The purpose of the seminar series is to spark lively debate with a cross-section of people from different backgrounds around some of the key urban issues affecting society today.

“We want to inform, challenge and entertain our audience and at the same time we want our audience to challenge our speakers on their subjects.”

“We hope the series will develop into a popular and successful addition to the college’s events.”

The first seminar – on March 14 – will explore how public art works both in a building and environmental context, and where it does not work.

Culture historian, professor Steven Parissien will chair the debate and speakers will include art historians Dr Cathy Oakes and Dr Leon Wainwright, urban regeneration expert Dr Clare Melhuish and British sculptor Sean Henry.

Oxford’s Westgate Centre has a number of public art installations, such as the lantern on top of the Bonn Square entrance.

A large neon astrolabe, a replica of the one held by Roger Bacon in his statue at Oxford’s Museum of Natural History, is also planned for the square outside John Lewis.

Another public art display, entitled Paradise Garden, is also nearing completion in Old Greyfriars Street, inspired by the history of the site as a friary.

Future debates will cover topics, such as affordable housing, the planning system, urban heritage, Brexit, healthy cities and community engagement.

Prince Charles returned to Kellogg College last year, eight years after launching a master’s programme to protect the future of cities from rapid urbanisation.

The Prince of Wales met with current students and alumni responsible for many of the projects which aim to keep green space despite the demand for more housing.

The debates which explore many of the ideas championed by the Prince and the work being done by The Prince’s Foundation in creating new communities all over the world.

The second debate – ‘Urban Heritage’ – is scheduled for April 25, while ‘Rapid Urbanisation’ will be the topic on June 13.

The event is free and open to all and begins at 5pm on Wednesday March 14 at the college in Banbury Road.

The college advised people to book their place at kellogg.ox.ac.uk/events