Beth Clewes discusses the impact of Covid-19, Brexit, energy prices and inflation on business confidence in the region. This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2022. The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by City-REDI at the University of Birmingham and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. It is … Continue reading “Birmingham’s Business Confidence: Boom or Bust?”
Author: Guest blogger
Political Party Approaches to University R&D and Innovation in the UK
Steve Barwick writes about the approaches of the UK’s two major political parties to University R&D and Innovation. City-REDI / WMREDI, University of Birmingham recently hosted fringe meetings at both the Labour and Conservative Party Conferences in order to gauge and explore the respective political party’s approach to university R&D and innovation, including its role … Continue reading “Political Party Approaches to University R&D and Innovation in the UK”
Megatrends and the West Midlands: Health and Urban Greenspace
Urban greenspace typically refers to public parks, street verges, and sports grounds owned by the local council. Ros McDermott argues that urban greenspace is a resource for health, and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) should ensure equitable access to these spaces with a particular focus on people hit hardest by the pandemic. This article … Continue reading “Megatrends and the West Midlands: Health and Urban Greenspace”
Megatrends in the West Midlands – Local Living
Gina Hunt examines the megatrend of local living, brought on by Covid-19, causing people to stay at home or in their own locality, increasing homeworking and spending money locally in their neighbourhoods. This article is part of larger project looking at Megatrends in the West Midlands. Megatrends are major movements or patterns or trends that … Continue reading “Megatrends in the West Midlands – Local Living”
Tactical Urbanism: A Global Trend Key to ‘Building Back Better’
Verity Parkin on tactical urbanism a global trend that provides great opportunities for shaping inclusive and activated public space in cities and the Future Business District post-Covid-19. This article is part of larger project looking at Megatrends in the West Midlands. Megatrends are major movements or patterns or trends that are having a transformative impact … Continue reading “Tactical Urbanism: A Global Trend Key to ‘Building Back Better’”
Using Sustainable Development Goals as Indicators for Levelling Up
Welcome to REDI-Updates. REDI-Updates aims to get behind the data and translate it into understandable terms. In this edition, WMREDI staff look at the government’s flagship policy – Levelling Up. We look at the challenge of implementing, understanding and measuring levelling up. Emerzon Somera discusses using sustainable development goals as indicators for levelling up, looking … Continue reading “Using Sustainable Development Goals as Indicators for Levelling Up”
New Opportunities for Low Carbon Growth
Professor Martin Freer discusses what areas of the low-carbon sector the West Midlands is optimally placed to develop in the region. This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2021. The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by the University of Birmingham’s City-REDI and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. … Continue reading “New Opportunities for Low Carbon Growth”
UK Shared Prosperity Fund: Perspectives on Allocations in the Midlands
Writing for the Midlands Engine Observatory, Charlie Hopkirk examines whether the UK Shared Prosperity Fund will provide a sufficient replacement for the European Structural Fund in the Midlands. Launched in April, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is a Government-allocated fund which is intended to reduce inequalities between communities. UKSPF is being allocated nationally as … Continue reading “UK Shared Prosperity Fund: Perspectives on Allocations in the Midlands”
The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games – Bringing a Boost for Businesses in Birmingham and Beyond
David Grady discusses the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and its impact on local business. This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2021. The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by the University of Birmingham’s City-REDI and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. It is an in-depth exploration of the economy … Continue reading “The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games – Bringing a Boost for Businesses in Birmingham and Beyond”
Sustainability: A Green Clean and Just Transition for Birmingham
Barny Evans looks at the challenges that Birmingham faces when adapting to climate change and Covid-19. This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2021. The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by the University of Birmingham’s City-REDI and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. It is an in-depth exploration … Continue reading “Sustainability: A Green Clean and Just Transition for Birmingham”