Knowledge Translation and People-led Approaches to Achieving Urban Sustainable Development Goals: Reflections from the African Perspective 12+ Conference, Delft

Global air pollution is a problem attributed to urbanisation and provides a good reference point for understanding and addressing the gap between scientific knowledge and policy practice in Africa. African development potentials and challenges have been identified and ways forward suggested in many publications and conferences. Yet, the reality of African development challenges is a … Continue reading “Knowledge Translation and People-led Approaches to Achieving Urban Sustainable Development Goals: Reflections from the African Perspective 12+ Conference, Delft”

The Retail Crisis Catches Up with Debenhams

Debenhams was reportedly worth £900 million in 2016, but today the retail giant is only worth £20 million. Debenhams generates approximately 80% of its revenue in the UK, thus the firm is highly dependent on a single country. Considering that the British retail industry has been experiencing somewhat of a crisis, with firms including M&S, … Continue reading “The Retail Crisis Catches Up with Debenhams”

Industrial Strategy: Four Rationales

Industrial policy: why bother? There is a very large and diverse literature on industrial policy. The subject is covered by lots of different kinds of academics, with different language and approaches. For instance, the field covers endogenous growth theory [1] ; Schumpeterian models of entrepreneurship / innovation / creative destruction [2]; industrial economics [3]; science … Continue reading “Industrial Strategy: Four Rationales”

Businesses Must Take Advantage of Generous Tax Reliefs to Continue Innovation Trajectory

This blog post has been produced to provide insight into the findings of the Birmingham Economic Review. The Birmingham Economic Review 2018 is produced by City-REDI, University of Birmingham and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, with contributions from the West Midlands Growth Company. It is an in-depth exploration of the economy of England’s second … Continue reading “Businesses Must Take Advantage of Generous Tax Reliefs to Continue Innovation Trajectory”

Never-exit Brexit and Remaining within the European Union: Half-Hearted versus Enthusiastic Remainers

It has been the day of all fools. The UK Parliament continues in its inability to make any progress regarding the on-going relationship between the UK and the EU. I am beginning to wonder about time and space and the entry of the UK and the EU into a new historical period. This is perhaps … Continue reading “Never-exit Brexit and Remaining within the European Union: Half-Hearted versus Enthusiastic Remainers”

From Washington DC: Geographies of Human Rights, Responsible Inclusive Prosperity and the Annual Conference of the Association of American Geographers

It is that time of year when geographers from across the world descend on to some American city to discuss all things geographical. Last year, the annual conference of the Association of American Geographers (AAG) was in New Orleans. This year the conference is based in Washington DC. The conference location always tends to favour … Continue reading “From Washington DC: Geographies of Human Rights, Responsible Inclusive Prosperity and the Annual Conference of the Association of American Geographers”

The Economic Impacts of Physical Inactivity and the West Midlands’ Strategy to Increase Walking and Cycling

The World Health Organization recommends that all adults aged between 18 and 64 years old should do at least 30 minutes a day of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity throughout the week to achieve a healthy body mass and weight. Any individual that reaches the level of physical activity recommended according to their age is considered … Continue reading “The Economic Impacts of Physical Inactivity and the West Midlands’ Strategy to Increase Walking and Cycling”

Enhancing the Civic Role of UK Universities

Two key events in February brought into focus the contribution made by universities to their city-regions. They also highlighted how much more universities could do and how important it was to enhance this contribution in light of current political and public sentiment towards universities in the UK. One was the launch of the report by … Continue reading “Enhancing the Civic Role of UK Universities”

Is High Speed Two going to change Britain? High-speed rail in an international perspective

While recent media headlines might be devoted exclusively to Brexit, there are a raft of other major government projects – from Universal Credit to the MoD’s new aircraft carriers – that also attract a lot of column space. One of these is undoubtedly High Speed Two. The government says this is a once-in-a-generation chance to … Continue reading “Is High Speed Two going to change Britain? High-speed rail in an international perspective”

The March edition of the West Midlands Economic Monitor is now available

This month’s edition of the West Midlands Economic Monitor is now available for download. We look at the changes in regional productivity, employment, business activity and house prices in the region, as well as projects that have been announced in rail, 5G internet, electric cars and adult education in the West Midlands. You can get … Continue reading “The March edition of the West Midlands Economic Monitor is now available”