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”

Services and Experiences from Space

The on-going debate on the future of retailing and the high street has within it an emphasis on the shift from purchasing ‘experiences’ rather than goods. This transformation of economic transactions into experiences can be traced back over two decades but has been intensifying. January is often associated with a number of experiential movements – … Continue reading “Services and Experiences from Space”

City-REDI Spring Seminar Series

City-REDI is delighted to invite you to our seminar series covering economics, economic geography, regional science, economic development, critical urbanism and urban policymaking. The seminars are open to all including PhDs, Masters students and non-academics. Do join us, and feel free to forward to others who might be interested. The seminar programme can be found below … Continue reading “City-REDI Spring Seminar Series”

The Birmingham Economic Review 2018: People – Population and Employment

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 “The Birmingham Economic Review 2018: People – Population and Employment”

City-REDI at ERSA Lyon

City-REDI researchers have been involved in organising a range of special sessions at the European Regional Science Association Congress taking place in Lyon 27-30 August 2019. In particular, the topics are indicative of the expertise and research interests of the institute and cover: S03. Engaging with the Digital World: the effects for society, places and individuals … Continue reading “City-REDI at ERSA Lyon”

Meditations on the Demise of Advent and the Commercialisation of Christmas

Every year Christmas seems to become closer to the end of October. Retailers begin to signal the start of the season of Christmas. Illuminated Christmas trees begin to appear in shops and houses. Perhaps Christmas now commences on Black Friday. For 2018 this was November 23rd and next year it will be November 29th. One … Continue reading “Meditations on the Demise of Advent and the Commercialisation of Christmas”