In this blog, Tasos Kitsos outlines the main findings of joint research with André Carrascal-Incera and Raquel Ortega-Argilés on the role of local industrial embeddedness and economic resilience. A lot has been said and written on the importance of circular economies and local economic embeddedness for generating good growth and resilience. However, to date, it … Continue reading “The Role of Embeddedness on Regional Economic Resilience: Evidence from the UK”
West Midlands Economic Monitor: August 2019
August’s edition of the West Midlands Economic Monitor is now available for you to keep up to date with recent developments in the region. This month’s monitor reveals that PMI data has improved, the region is bucking the trend on investment and a tall-build boom in Birmingham continues to gain momentum. Get the latest edition … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Monitor: August 2019”
Housing and Local Industrial Strategy: Reflections on the 100th Anniversary of the Addison Act
On 11 November 1918, the war to end all wars, World War 1, ended with the signing of the armistice. The next day, David Lloyd George, then UK prime minister, called a general election promising that the government would provide “habitations fit for the heroes who have won the war”. This became known as the … Continue reading “Housing and Local Industrial Strategy: Reflections on the 100th Anniversary of the Addison Act”
The Importance of Connectivity: If HS2 and the Midlands Rail Hub Are Delivered the Whole Region Will Benefit
In the latest City-REDI West Midlands Economic Monitor we noted how Midlands Connect has submitted a £2 billion plan for a Midlands Rail Hub The proposal would see 24 extra passenger trains for East-West connectivity, including faster connectivity times for towns and cities across the Midlands, including Nottingham and Hereford. The plan would see Moor … Continue reading “The Importance of Connectivity: If HS2 and the Midlands Rail Hub Are Delivered the Whole Region Will Benefit”
Meet Ben Brittain – Policy and Data Analyst, City-REDI
In 1890 an American magazine praised Birmingham as ‘above else a business city, run by businessmen on business principles,’ this admiring review was a result of Birmingham’s international reputation as a commercial city of industry, services and – following Joseph Chamberlain’s reforms – of civic dignity. Joseph Chamberlain’s successful reforms were based crucially on his … Continue reading “Meet Ben Brittain – Policy and Data Analyst, City-REDI”
What is Smart Specialisation?
Welcome to part two in our new series “What is…?” where we explain the language, terms and ideas used in our day-to-day work. Other blogs from the series include: What is GVA? What is Transport Resilience? What are Industrial Clusters and Economies of Agglomeration? Definition and description Smart specialisation is a policy framework aimed at … Continue reading “What is Smart Specialisation?”
West Midlands Economic Monitor: July 2019
July’s edition of the West Midlands Economic Monitor is now available for you to keep up to date with recent developments in the region. This month’s monitor looks at the Midlands Rail Hub, digital skills, Quantum Technology Hubs, air pollution, and as always features analysis of the latest data about the region’s economic performance. Get … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Monitor: July 2019”
Strengthening the Weapons of the Weak: Informality, Urban Reforms and Sub-Sahara African Cities
It is widely known that Africa during this century will experience significant demographic growth combined with enhanced urbanization. Managing urbanization and conducting urban reform in Sub-Sahara African cities is extremely challenging. There has been on-going international support to enhance city living including research and evidence on the strength of informal economies, informal settlements and informal … Continue reading “Strengthening the Weapons of the Weak: Informality, Urban Reforms and Sub-Sahara African Cities”
Economic Resilience: The Role of Industrial Structure
City-REDI has prepared this brief to inform the debate on economic resilience. It draws on resilience research at the Institute and elsewhere and is prepared under funding provided by the Economic and Social Research Council (ES/S011226/1). It discusses the concept of resilience in political discourse at the national level and then considers the importance of … Continue reading “Economic Resilience: The Role of Industrial Structure”
Meet Juliane Schwarz – Research Fellow at City-REDI
My name is Juliane and I’m a Research Fellow at City-REDI since October last year. Originally from the South of Germany, I made the UK my home at the start of this millennium. My connections to the Midlands has been growing ever since, though I have also spent some time in the North of England … Continue reading “Meet Juliane Schwarz – Research Fellow at City-REDI”