What is the scale of the homelessness problem in the UK? Britain is in the midst of a homelessness crisis, with 320,000 citizens – that is, 1 in every 200 people – without a fixed place to sleep [i]. The number of people in this condition is rapidly growing, having more than doubled since the … Continue reading “Homelessness – the human cost of neoliberal austerity”
Author: Liam O'Farrell
City-REDI launches the West Midlands Economic Monitor
This month we are launching our new West Midlands Economic Monitor. It is full of information on upcoming developments in and around Birmingham, Coventry and the Black Country, interesting data, and expert analysis from our team of researchers. We will present some of the trends drawn from national and local data on a whole range … Continue reading “City-REDI launches the West Midlands Economic Monitor”
City-REDI at the Tallinn Workshop on “Social Trends, Policy Initiatives and Planning Measures in Large Housing Estates”
My colleague Dr Sara Hassan and I recently attended the Tallinn workshop on housing to present two of the projects City-REDI is currently working on and hear about other interesting research going on in the field of urban studies and planning policy. It was a great experience that gave us both the opportunity to think … Continue reading “City-REDI at the Tallinn Workshop on “Social Trends, Policy Initiatives and Planning Measures in Large Housing Estates””
What is a “Just City”? A research trip to Zürich
In 2014, the number of people across the globe living in urban areas surpassed those living in the countryside for the first time. Cities are where more highly-skilled and better-paid jobs tend to be clustered. They have a wider range of cultural attractions, restaurants, educational and shopping opportunities than rural places. These features encourage in-migration … Continue reading “What is a “Just City”? A research trip to Zürich”
Launch of the Midlands Engine Economic Observatory
The Midlands Engine Economic Observatory is part of the Midlands Engine, a partnership of local and combined authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships, universities and businesses working together in new and transformative ways to invigorate the £207 billion Midlands economy. Home to over 10 million people and 440,000 large and small businesses, the Midlands has huge potential … Continue reading “Launch of the Midlands Engine Economic Observatory”
USE-IT! Community Day – Celebrating Community Research Together!
Last week we held a community day to celebrate the USE-IT! project in the Signing Tree venue, a deaf cultural centre and fantastic space in Birmingham’s Ladywood area. This is such an exciting project and for me it is truly an honour to be involved with the community in this way. It’s really wonderful to … Continue reading “USE-IT! Community Day – Celebrating Community Research Together!”
Working towards collaboration between City-REDI and the Enterprise Research Centre
At the start of October researchers from the Enterprise Research Centre joined City-REDI at Winterbourne House at the University of Birmingham to share information on projects we are working on and consider how we might collaborate in the future. We have a number of areas of shared mutual interest and at the heart of both … Continue reading “Working towards collaboration between City-REDI and the Enterprise Research Centre”
Trick or treat? What will probably be in the 2018 Budget – and what ought to be
Find out what was accurate about this forecast – and what wasn’t – by tuning into Radio 4’s Today programme on Monday morning. City-REDI’s Professor Simon Collinson will be one of the guests, discussing the budget and what it means for the country in what promises to be a tumultuous year ahead. There’s been plenty … Continue reading “Trick or treat? What will probably be in the 2018 Budget – and what ought to be”
City-REDI Fringe Event at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham: Overcoming the Challenges of Brexit at Local Level
With the Conservative Party Conference once again taking place in Birmingham, City-REDI held a fringe event on ‘overcoming the challenges of Brexit at local level’ on the 2nd of October. The discussions were around what the impact of leaving the EU will be on public policy, city regions, housing and jobs. On the panel we … Continue reading “City-REDI Fringe Event at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham: Overcoming the Challenges of Brexit at Local Level”
City-REDI at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool: Understanding and Mitigating the Risks of Brexit at Local Level
On the 24th of September, City-REDI held a fringe event at the Labour Party Conference on ‘Understanding and mitigating the risks of Brexit at local level’. The conversation ranged from the impact on places that voted Leave, how Brexit will affect the UK’s productivity, and what the future of skills and migration looks like after … Continue reading “City-REDI at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool: Understanding and Mitigating the Risks of Brexit at Local Level”