How will Labour Deliver Innovation led Growth? Lesson Learnt from the Innovation Accelerator Pilots

On 9th October, City-REDI / WMREDI, University of Birmingham hosted a fringe event at the Labour Party Conference on how to accelerate placed-based growth and innovation. Rebecca Riley and Steve Barwick reflect on the key points discussed at the fringe event. The event was chaired by Matt Western MP, Shadow Minister for Higher Education and … Continue reading “How will Labour Deliver Innovation led Growth? Lesson Learnt from the Innovation Accelerator Pilots”

The 15-Minute City: Good Urban Planning or an Attack on Personal Freedoms?

At the recent Conservative Party Conference, the 15-minute city was highlighted as an attack on personal freedom. In this blog, Magda Cepeda-Zorrilla looks at what a 15-minute city is, gives examples of where it’s been implemented and whether it might restrict people’s freedom. The Department for Transport (DfT) recently released the Plan for Drivers document, … Continue reading “The 15-Minute City: Good Urban Planning or an Attack on Personal Freedoms?”

The LPIP Hub: What are Cities and What Role do They Play in our Social, Economic, and Environmental Systems?

Rebecca Riley recently attended an RSA Urban Futures Roundtable looking at the potential of the UK’s cities. In a series of blogs, Rebecca reflects on the challenges facing places in building regenerative economies. In the first blog, Rebecca asks what are cities and looks at the role they play in our social, economic, and environmental … Continue reading “The LPIP Hub: What are Cities and What Role do They Play in our Social, Economic, and Environmental Systems?”

Alternative Approaches to Local Economic Development: Perspectives from the West Midlands

Anne Green, David Waite and Richard Crisp discusses their new paper which compares the five leading agendas that have been positioned as alternative and progressive policy responses to urban economic change. Decades of traditional growth-oriented economic policies have failed to stem widening social inequalities and rising environmental challenges. This has triggered growing interest amongst policymakers … Continue reading “Alternative Approaches to Local Economic Development: Perspectives from the West Midlands”

Birmingham in Crisis: Understanding the Challenge of Local Authority Budget Cuts and the Effect on Good Financial Management

Rebecca Riley and Abigail Taylor discusses the recent financial crisis to hit Birmingham City Council, and how the root of the issues facing this council and others around the UK, are a decade in the making. This week it was announced that Birmingham City Council faces a spending freeze and greater scrutiny of its budget. An … Continue reading “Birmingham in Crisis: Understanding the Challenge of Local Authority Budget Cuts and the Effect on Good Financial Management”

Red Flag and Data City: A Comparison

Reen Blake-Carr looks at two companies providing economic and business data and assesses their similarities and differences. With thanks to Charlie Hopkirk, Black Country Consortium for his input into the development of this blog. What is Red Flag Alert? Red Flag Alert is a company that was founded in 2004 to help identify new business … Continue reading “Red Flag and Data City: A Comparison”

WMREDI City Index Tool: Core Cities Comparison

The City Index Tool is a data dashboard which allows users to compare and rank 61 English cities using a varierty of metrics and categories. Alice Pugh demonstrates its use by comparing the 8 English members of the Core City UK alliance. View the City Index, part of the WMREDI Data Lab. What is the … Continue reading “WMREDI City Index Tool: Core Cities Comparison”

The Legacy of Mega-Events: Birmingham’s Challenges in Securing Lasting Impact From the 2022 Commonwealth Games

James Davies and Simon Collinson examine the economic and cultural benefits for Birmingham and the West Midlands from the 2022 Commonwealth Games. This article was originally published on the University of Birmingham news site. With the 2022 Commonwealth Games taking over the city of Birmingham this summer, it’s a perfect moment to consider the Games’ … Continue reading “The Legacy of Mega-Events: Birmingham’s Challenges in Securing Lasting Impact From the 2022 Commonwealth Games”

What Does the Future Business District Look Like?

Covid-19 ushered in a dramatic change in working practices. Professor Anne Green looks at three major impacts this will have for cities like Birmingham.  This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2021. The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by City-REDI, University of Birmingham and the Greater Birmingham Chambers … Continue reading “What Does the Future Business District Look Like?”

The Future Business District

Kevin Johnson from Urban Communications discusses the future business district study and how this research can benefit city centres.  This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2021. The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by City-REDI, University of Birmingham and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. It is an … Continue reading “The Future Business District”