The Birmingham Economic Review was produced in October 2017 by City-REDI, the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and the West Midlands Growth Company. The review highlights the current strengths and weakness of the Birmingham economy, as well as looking at the opportunities and threats that might impact upon it in the future. This is a commentary on Chapter 3 of … Continue reading “The Birmingham Economic Review 2017 – Transport”
Author: Guest blogger
The Geovation Challenge: Greener, Smarter Communities
CC BY-SA 2.0, José Sáez This article was first published on the Urban Living Birmingham blog. Author: Gauri Kangai, Associate Innovation Executive, Geovation, Ordnance Survey The Greener, Smarter Communities and Cities Geovation Challenge is focussed on developing solutions to communities’ real needs for future-proofing the communities and cities in which we live. Geovation sees ‘smart communities’ as placing … Continue reading “The Geovation Challenge: Greener, Smarter Communities”
Birmingham: a city of visible negatives and hidden positives
This blog was first posted on the Urban Living Birmingham Blog. Below are contributions in response to a request for the best and worst of Birmingham. They formed part of an impromptu exhibition held at the March 2017 Urban Living Birmingham Touchstone Group Meeting. From the author, David Thew, Secretary to the Futures Network West … Continue reading “Birmingham: a city of visible negatives and hidden positives”
Birmingham 2040: The Ban on New Petrol and Diesel Engines, Electric Vehicles and Robotics
This blog was written by Professor John Bryson and first posted on the Urban Living Birmingham Blog. In 1971 Sir Peter Hall speculated about London and the year 2000. Forecasting futures will always result in failure, but perhaps there are some ‘knowns’ about what Birmingham will look like in 2040 and many unknowns. One ‘known’ is that … Continue reading “Birmingham 2040: The Ban on New Petrol and Diesel Engines, Electric Vehicles and Robotics”
The disintegration of planning policy
The following piece written by Professor Alister Scott was originally posted by Urban Living Birmingham: I recently wrote about the disintegration of the housing debate where I argued that there are no ‘magic bullet’ solutions as the housing question is complex, demanding much more cross-sector thinking. But this type of approach is something conspicuously absent in contemporary … Continue reading “The disintegration of planning policy”
Brief for Creative Engagement: Reimagining City Service Delivery
This blog was written by Joanne Leach and first posted on the Urban Living Birmingham Blog. The Urban Living Birmingham research project consortium is inviting Birmingham-based arts organisations to submit proposals that imaginatively use arts and creative approaches to engage Birmingham citizens in developing innovative ideas for the improved delivery of urban services using the findings … Continue reading “Brief for Creative Engagement: Reimagining City Service Delivery”
The City of Birmingham – Missed and Missing Opportunities
The following piece was originally posted by Urban Living Birmingham. Below are two poems in response to a request for the best and worst of Birmingham. The poems formed part of an impromptu exhibition held at one of Urban Living Birmingham’s Touchstone Meetings. From the author, Jonathan Ward: These poems were off the cuff reflections … Continue reading “The City of Birmingham – Missed and Missing Opportunities”
May I be so Bold? A Plan for the New West Midlands Combined Authority Mayor
This post was written by Chris Bouch for Urban Living Birmingham. When one looks at Andy Street’s potted history on Wikipedia, it is difficult not to be impressed: Oxford; past Managing Director at John Lewis Partnership; past chair of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership; Commander of the British Empire for services to … Continue reading “May I be so Bold? A Plan for the New West Midlands Combined Authority Mayor”
From Guangzhou to Birmingham: The GZU-UoB Joint Research Centre for Service Industry and Urban Development (GB-JRCSIUD) visits City-REDI
Following last week’s post ‘City-REDI meets Guangzhou University’, Professor Di Cai shares her thoughts on Guangzhou University’s week with City-REDI. Five academics from Guangzhou University (GZU) China visited City-REDI, 19-21 June 2017. After meeting with Simon, John and other City-REDI members, new consensus has been reached that further research on the environment and smart urban development are important for … Continue reading “From Guangzhou to Birmingham: The GZU-UoB Joint Research Centre for Service Industry and Urban Development (GB-JRCSIUD) visits City-REDI”
After the [Metro Mayor’s] Election is Over……..
In this blog, Mike Grace from Birmingham City University reflects on the election of the West Midland’s first Metro Mayor. The 4th May 2017 has come and gone and Andy Street is the first and the new Mayor of the West Midlands Combined Authority. Congratulations, as it must have been difficult to pitch for this … Continue reading “After the [Metro Mayor’s] Election is Over……..”