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”
Author: Guest blogger
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……..”
Latest insights from the Urban Living Birmingham project
In this blog, Jonathan Clarke from the University of Warwick reflects on Urban Living Birmingham’s latest touchstone group meeting. On the 20th March 2017, Urban Living Birmingham (ULB) held its third Touchtone Group meeting, offering a forum for project researchers to present and receive feedback on some early findings to representatives from the public, private and … Continue reading “Latest insights from the Urban Living Birmingham project”
Brexit and the Lessons from Singapore – Geography Matters, Free Trade Agreements, Integrated Policy and Independence
The following piece was written by City-REDI’s Prof. John Bryson. This week is one spent in Singapore and this provides an opportunity and a stimulus to reflect on the relationship between Brexit, the UK and the example set by Singapore. Singapore comes with associations of free trade, global finance, a major Asian centre, integrated approaches … Continue reading “Brexit and the Lessons from Singapore – Geography Matters, Free Trade Agreements, Integrated Policy and Independence”
The Metro Mayor’s Election – 4 May 2017: A Comment on the Task Ahead for the New Mayor of the West Midlands Combined Authority
In this blog, City-REDI’sProf. John Bryson provides his reflections on the day of the first ever West Midland’s Mayoral Election. The 4 May, today, is an important day for the West Midlands and especially for those living in this region that will live or work under the governance structure of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). … Continue reading “The Metro Mayor’s Election – 4 May 2017: A Comment on the Task Ahead for the New Mayor of the West Midlands Combined Authority”