The City of Knoxville will kick off the 30th celebration of Community Development Week on Monday by hosting a lunchtime discussion of the book, Rise of the Creative Class.

The presentation and discussion, lead by Laurens Tullock, president of the Cornerstone Foundation, will be held at noon at the wesTrent Courtyard, 18 Market Square.

The event leads a week of activities organized by the city's Community Development staff to spotlight neighborhood improvement and economic development projects aided by federal, state and local funds.

For the past three years, the city has raided its fund balance and reduced its size by half.

"Community Development Week celebrates the many organizations and partnerships that work to make Knoxville a better place to live," Mayor Bill Haslam said. "The week's activities reflect continuing efforts to improve the quality of life in our city."

On Tuesday, city staff will gather public input on the city of Knoxville's plan for Housing and Community Development at 4 p.m. at the John T. O'Connor Center, 611 Winona Ave.

The week will also highlight the impact of volunteering on community development, and Mayor Haslam and city staff will prepare and serve meals on Thursday at the Love Kitchen, 2418 Martin Luther King Ave.

The celebration concludes on Saturday in Mechanicsville.

Activities include a tour of homes in Mechanicsville Commons, dedication of Gam's Beauty and Barber Sharp, groundbreaking of Danny Mayfield Park where a community festival will be held.

Monday's book discussion at Market Square is free, but seating reservations should be made by calling 215-2120.