Megatrends in the West Midlands: Podcast Series

What are megatrends? Megatrends are major movements, patterns or trends that have a transformative impact on the economy, business, society, cultures and personal lives. In a series of podcasts, City-REDI / WMREDI, University of Birmingham examines the impacts of megatrends in the West Midlands, by speaking to a series of experts from the region. We … Continue reading “Megatrends in the West Midlands: Podcast Series”

Where is “The Level” in “Levelling Up”?

Welcome to REDI-Updates. REDI-Updates aims to get behind the data and translate it into understandable terms. In this edition, WMREDI staff look at the government’s flagship policy – Levelling Up. We look at the challenge of implementing, understanding and measuring levelling up Josh Swan, Rebecca Riley and Hannes Read discuss the need for places to … Continue reading “Where is “The Level” in “Levelling Up”?”

Using Sustainable Development Goals as Indicators for Levelling Up

Welcome to REDI-Updates. REDI-Updates aims to get behind the data and translate it into understandable terms. In this edition, WMREDI staff look at the government’s flagship policy – Levelling Up. We look at the challenge of implementing, understanding and measuring levelling up. Emerzon Somera discusses using sustainable development goals as indicators for levelling up, looking … Continue reading “Using Sustainable Development Goals as Indicators for Levelling Up”

Megatrends in the West Midlands: Future Mobility

Madga Cepeda-Zorrilla explores future urban mobility and the functioning of places. She considers the challenges for transport from shift to homeworking and hybrid working; the growth in walking and cycling; car ownership, technology and behaviour and safety on public transport.   This article is part of larger project looking at Megatrends in the West Midlands. … Continue reading “Megatrends in the West Midlands: Future Mobility”

Levelling Up: Policy Changes Related to Spending and Funding

Welcome to REDI-Updates. REDI-Updates aims to get behind the data and translate it into understandable terms. In this edition, WMREDI staff look at the government’s flagship policy – Levelling Up. We look at the challenge of implementing, understanding and measuring levelling up.  In this article, Alice Pugh examines policy and funding changes brought in by … Continue reading “Levelling Up: Policy Changes Related to Spending and Funding”

Housing and Spatial Justice – Insights From Three European Cities

Liam O’Farrell considers spatial justice and housing, comparing the UK and its European counterparts. Overcoming common urban social issues Mitigating the segregation of marginalised groups is highly dependent on local context. Nevertheless, comparing a major British city with peers elsewhere in Europe suggests that devolution of decision-making powers and financial resources, along with a commitment … Continue reading “Housing and Spatial Justice – Insights From Three European Cities”

COVID-19 Recovery: Birmingham Cannot Miss the Opportunity for a Restart

Tasos Kitsos and Raquel Ortega-Argiles discuss some of the key factors that need to be overcome in Birmingham to continue its economic recovery in the post-COVID era.  This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2021. The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by the University of Birmingham’s City-REDI and … Continue reading “COVID-19 Recovery: Birmingham Cannot Miss the Opportunity for a Restart”

West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 1 October 2021

The optimism about the economic recovery that characterised many indices of business confidence in June and July has given way to a much more mixed picture as we move into Autumn. Recently it has become clear that multiple global issues, such as climate change, port delays, container shortages, HGV driver shortages, Covid-19 spikes and subsequent … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 1 October 2021”

West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 23rd July 2021

This week England has opened up, lifting most of the restrictions in place to date. This has been met with mixed reviews, especially as Covid-19 cases are rising. It remains to be seen what impact opening up has overall and how public perceptions and behaviour unfold over the coming weeks. The UK has seen a … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 23rd July 2021”

The Future of UK Employment in a Post-Pandemic World

Dr Abigail Taylor and Ben Harrison analyse the impact of the COVID-19 on employment to date before discussing what the future might hold. It also introduces the Social Policy Association’s ‘Employment Policy in Context’ group, explaining the group’s aims, plans for the coming year and how to get involved. This blog was first posted on … Continue reading “The Future of UK Employment in a Post-Pandemic World”