City-REDI feature in “Data as Infrastructure” report

Professor Simon Collinson and Dr Amir Qamar were recently featured in a report on data by Prospect magazine. The report, called “Data as Infrastructure” puts together a series of articles and essays on “Smart cities” and how local authorities are beginning to see data as another form of infrastructure. Simon and Amir’s chapter titled “Smart … Continue reading “City-REDI feature in “Data as Infrastructure” report”

Inclusive Growth Principles for Cities

‘Inclusive growth’ is increasingly invoked at international, national and city levels as offering prospects for more equitable social outcomes. Yet the concept of inclusive growth is open to a number of different interpretations. This has not stopped interest in developing inclusive growth indicators. In the USA the Brookings Institution has developed and combined indicators measuring … Continue reading “Inclusive Growth Principles for Cities”

Young people’s pathways into work

Young people’s pathways into work On 28 September 2017 a team of researchers from various Midlands’ universities launched their preliminary findings report Present Tense, Future Imperfect: Young people’s pathways into work at the final event for an ESRC project on Precarious Pathways into Work for Young People. The event was chaired by Matthew Taylor, following … Continue reading “Young people’s pathways into work”

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?”

Smart Cities

Given that by 2050 approximately two thirds of the world’s total population will be living in cities, we have to make cities creative, innovative and sustainable places to do business. This emphasises the importance of ‘smart cities’, and we recommend the following: Developing the right kinds of skills and expertise is central to unlocking opportunities … Continue reading “Smart Cities”

What should the Mayor do on skills & housing?

Skills is a significant issue for the West Midlands but it’s structural and deep seated nature means 100 days of Mayoral activity is only the start. Solutions are long term and require fundamental changes to the regional economy, labour market and delivery structures. It’s vital the Mayor puts in place a programme of change that … Continue reading “What should the Mayor do on skills & housing?”

Shedding new light on innovation policy

The following piece was written by City-REDI’s Max Nathan, for the What Works Centre. Industrial strategy is one of the big issues for the What Works Centre and its local partners and innovation is one of the main themes of industrial strategies in the UK, and around the world. Public policy plays a number of important … Continue reading “Shedding new light on innovation policy”

Birmingham 2040: The Ban on New Petrol and Diesel Engines, Electric Vehicles and Robotics

This blog was written by Professor John Bryson and first posted on the Urban Living Birmingham Blog. In 1971 Sir Peter Hall speculated about London and the year 2000. Forecasting futures will always result in failure, but perhaps there are some ‘knowns’ about what Birmingham will look like in 2040 and many unknowns. One ‘known’ is that … Continue reading “Birmingham 2040: The Ban on New Petrol and Diesel Engines, Electric Vehicles and Robotics”

Electric Vehicles by 2040: Changing the Game for Jaguar Land Rover

In a bid to deal with concerns over air pollution, the UK’s government announced a plan to prohibit the sales of new cars and vans that use diesel and petrol as fuel by 2040. Poor air quality has been named as ‘the biggest environmental risk’ to the health of individuals, prompting the government to announce … Continue reading “Electric Vehicles by 2040: Changing the Game for Jaguar Land Rover”

The West Midlands is in a strong position to tackle the challenges of Brexit

City-REDI’s John Bryson, Professor of Enterprise and Competitiveness at Birmingham Business School, spoke on BBC West Midlands last week. He was asked to respond to recent figures released by Centre for Cities that suggest that cities in the West Midlands are in a stronger position to tackle the challenges of Brexit that those in the south … Continue reading “The West Midlands is in a strong position to tackle the challenges of Brexit”