Connectivity and growth – are Engines, Powerhouses, Combined authorities the solution?

“If devolution is a journey, the current deals are not the destination”, was an underlying theme in the discussion at the City-REDI sponsored the Labour Party Conference fringe event on connectivity and growth (organised by Devo Connect). The current approach of making cities and (as Sir John Peace pointed out) other areas compete for limited … Continue reading “Connectivity and growth – are Engines, Powerhouses, Combined authorities the solution?”

Supporting more inclusive employment outcomes in growth sectors

In National Inclusion Week and as part of The Work Foundation’s autumn event series, on 27th September City REDI’s Anne Green, with Paul Sissons from Coventry University and Neil Lee from the LSE, presented findings and discussed policy implications from their ESRC-funded research project on Harnessing Growth Sectors for Poverty Reduction: What Work to Reduce Poverty Through … Continue reading “Supporting more inclusive employment outcomes in growth sectors”

City REDI to host two fringe events at the Labour and Conservative party conferences

City REDI is hosting fringe events at the Labour and Conservative party conferences this autumn, called “Devo Question Time: Connectivity and Growth”. The events, being organised by Devo Connect, focus on transport and connectivity, which have become vital issues where Metro Mayors can have a real impact on the economic growth of their cities. With … Continue reading “City REDI to host two fringe events at the Labour and Conservative party conferences”

City REDI and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) to produce economic review of the region

City REDI and GBCC are working together to produce the second annual Birmingham Economic Review. It promises to build on the first review which provided a unique insight into Birmingham’s economic geography, skills, key sectors and opportunities and challenges facing the region. Professor Simon Collinson, director of City-REDI, said: “This report, and our broader partnership … Continue reading “City REDI and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) to produce economic review of the region”

Brief for Creative Engagement: Reimagining City Service Delivery

This blog was written by Joanne Leach and first posted on the Urban Living Birmingham Blog. The Urban Living Birmingham research project consortium is inviting Birmingham-based arts organisations to submit proposals that imaginatively use arts and creative approaches to engage Birmingham citizens in developing innovative ideas for the improved delivery of urban services using the findings … Continue reading “Brief for Creative Engagement: Reimagining City Service Delivery”

AnalystFEST #2 event report

City-REDI and Black Country Consortium co-hosted the second of our Analystfest events, aimed at bringing together researchers and analysts from across the region. The session focused on the West Midlands Performance Monitoring Framework and the latest ‘State of the Region’ about to be published. The purpose of the event was to review the document and content … Continue reading “AnalystFEST #2 event report”

From Guangzhou to Birmingham: The GZU-UoB Joint Research Centre for Service Industry and Urban Development (GB-JRCSIUD) visits City-REDI

Following last week’s post ‘City-REDI meets Guangzhou University’, Professor Di Cai shares her thoughts on Guangzhou University’s week with City-REDI. Five academics from Guangzhou University (GZU) China visited City-REDI, 19-21 June 2017. After meeting with Simon, John and other City-REDI members, new consensus has been reached that further research on the environment and smart urban development are important for … Continue reading “From Guangzhou to Birmingham: The GZU-UoB Joint Research Centre for Service Industry and Urban Development (GB-JRCSIUD) visits City-REDI”

City-REDI welcomes Guangzhou University

City-REDI held a workshop last week with its sister research centre based at Guangzhou University, Guangdong, China. This was an ideal opportunity for the two research centres to share research ideas and approaches and to explore opportunities for on-going collaboration. In May 2016, a linked research centre to City-REDI was established in Guangzhou, China. With … Continue reading “City-REDI welcomes Guangzhou University”

AnalystFEST #2

12 July 2017 from 09:30 to 12:30 Room G11, Alan Walters Building, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT  After the successful first event earlier this year, City-REDI and the Black Country Consortium would like to explore the use of the AnalystFEST network to think about the future development of the WMCA Performance Management Framework. We are keen to … Continue reading “AnalystFEST #2”

City REDI at the RSA Annual Conference 2017, Dublin

The RSA Annual Conference 2017 was held 4-7 June in Dublin.  The conference theme was The Great Regional Awakening: New Directions and it featured presentations and panel sessions by leading scholars, experts, and researchers. In attendance from City REDI were Professor Anne Green, Professor Raquel Ortega Argiles, Dr Catherine Harris and Deniz Sevinc. City-REDI organised … Continue reading “City REDI at the RSA Annual Conference 2017, Dublin”