This blog was written by Carol Stanfield from Carol Stanfield Consulting who has co-authored a report for the Productivity Insights Network with Professor Anne Green and George Bramley at City-REDI. The full report is entitled Evaluation of co-designed programmes for boosting productivity: a follow-up of selected UK Futures Programme projects. It’s not often you get to … Continue reading “Serendipity: Is the Answer to the Productivity Problem Written in the Stars?”
Category: Economics
Could 5G Technology Power Economic Growth in the West Midlands?
As the next generation of mobile technology, 5G has increasingly become a technology buzzword in recent years. The UK government has suggested in their 5G Strategy that “5G promises a step-change in mobile connectivity with enormous potential to boost productivity and grow the economy”. However, what exactly is 5G technology and could it really power … Continue reading “Could 5G Technology Power Economic Growth in the West Midlands?”
Today is World Day of Social Justice. Let’s talk about what that means
The 20th of February has been designated by the United Nations as World Day of Social Justice. This year’s theme is “If you want peace and development, work for social justice”, with a specific focus on the 2 billion people worldwide living in fragile states afflicted by conflicts and how the creation of better quality … Continue reading “Today is World Day of Social Justice. Let’s talk about what that means”
Midlands Engine Independent Economic Review – Call for Evidence
SQW and Cambridge Econometrics have been commissioned by the Midlands Engine to develop the first-ever Independent Economic Review (IER) for the Midlands region. This exercise forms part of the Midlands Engine Economic Observatory, led by City-REDI at the University of Birmingham, Nottingham Trent University and the Black Country Consortium. The first phase of work is … Continue reading “Midlands Engine Independent Economic Review – Call for Evidence”
Inward Investment in the Birmingham City Region
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 “Inward Investment in the Birmingham City Region”
Resilience and Wellbeing – Insights from New Zealand
Tasos Kitsos attended the Regional Studies Australasia Conference in Christchurch, New Zealand and reports on his work on economic resilience: Christchurch and New Zealand are very interesting places that can offer new perspectives on most things researched. It is not by chance the country was the first to grant women voting rights. Concerning my research … Continue reading “Resilience and Wellbeing – Insights from New Zealand”
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”
Reading City-Regions as a Process of Urban Diagnostics: A Public Health England Masterclass, Leeds 29 January 2019
On 29 January 2019, a masterclass on urban diagnostics and reading city-regions was held in Leeds by Public Health England. Over 40 practitioners participated. This masterclass built upon the RC-UK funded Urban Living Birmingham project and was organised by Prof. John Bryson and Dr Suzanne Bartington (both University of Birmingham), Prof. Alister Scott (Northumbria University) … Continue reading “Reading City-Regions as a Process of Urban Diagnostics: A Public Health England Masterclass, Leeds 29 January 2019”
Rethinking Modern High Streets: What Comes After Retail?
The high street is reaching crisis point. House of Fraser and Marks & Spencer have joined the list of high street giants expressing difficulties in today’s turbulent retail environment. This comes after a string of high profile closures, including HMV, BHS, Toys R Us, Mothercare and Carpet Right. Even service outlets are closing their doors, … Continue reading “Rethinking Modern High Streets: What Comes After Retail?”
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”