Megatrends in the West Midlands: Just City

Liam O’Farrell looks at some of the megatrends associated with the idea of the Just City – how we can harness the transformative power of development to help address social injustices that are starkly visible in cities. This article is part of larger project looking at Megatrends in the West Midlands. Megatrends are major movements … Continue reading “Megatrends in the West Midlands: Just City”

Regional Clusters: Place Branding for the Co-Location of Firms

Professor Simon Collison discusses how city-regions need to build a straightforward narrative that captures why people and businesses would want to visit, live, work, invest and commit to that particular place. Place branding and local leadership is often focused on promoting inward investment around clusters of economic activity, which can contribute to regional economic growth … Continue reading “Regional Clusters: Place Branding for the Co-Location of Firms”

Sustainability: A Green Clean and Just Transition for Birmingham

Barny Evans looks at the challenges that Birmingham faces when adapting to climate change and Covid-19. 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 the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. It is an in-depth exploration … Continue reading “Sustainability: A Green Clean and Just Transition for Birmingham”

The Case for a Just Devolution

Liam O’Farrell discusses the idea of ‘Just Devolution’, whereby devolution is driven not by demands to stimulate growth but to create a more just society. Find out more about the Just City Project. Devolution is currently front and centre in British politics. There have been comparisons of the relative performance of the devolved governments in … Continue reading “The Case for a Just Devolution”

A Spotlight on the Øresund Bridge, Denmark and Sweden

Gina Coe looks at the experiences of investing in infrastructure, specifically the Øresund Bridge situated in the Øresund Region, to address regional inequality.  Infrastructure investment can boost a region’s economic growth in the short-, medium-, and long-term, as well as working to address regional inequalities and disparities in outcomes. The blog shines a brief spotlight … Continue reading “A Spotlight on the Øresund Bridge, Denmark and Sweden”

Birmingham Clean Air Zone: Objectives, Challenges and Opportunities

Dr Magda Cepeda Zorrilla discusses the health reasons for implementing clean air zones, the high levels of air pollution in the West Midlands and the Birmingham Clean Air Zone. This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2021. The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by City-REDI, University of Birmingham … Continue reading “Birmingham Clean Air Zone: Objectives, Challenges and Opportunities”

Levelling Up: Lessons From Four Global City-Regions

Dr Abigail Taylor discusses a new report led by City-REDI that identifies lessons for levelling up from the experiences of four international city-regions trying to address regional inequalities. New Research Today new research conducted by City-REDI with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) is being launched. The research finds policies designed to … Continue reading “Levelling Up: Lessons From Four Global City-Regions”

Combining Growth and Levelling Up in UK Regions: How Universities and the Social Sciences Can Help

In this piece, Professor Simon Collinson describes the crucial roles to be played by city-regions and by universities if we are going to level up effectively. This article was first posted on the Academy of Social Sciences website.  Over the next few years, the UK faces further challenges which, like the economic impacts of Covid, … Continue reading “Combining Growth and Levelling Up in UK Regions: How Universities and the Social Sciences Can Help”

Looking Ahead: The Future Business District Study and the Future of the Office

Hannes Read discusses a study looking at the impacts of COVID-19 on business districts and working practices, and what the way forward might be.  The Future Business District Study Since the Covid-19 pandemic, many people and businesses have been required to work from home rather than the office. The sudden shift away from working in … Continue reading “Looking Ahead: The Future Business District Study and the Future of the Office”

Re-thinking How We ‘Brand’ Our Cities After Covid-19

In this blog, Dr Laura Reynolds focuses on the potential implications of Covid-19 for how we prioritise and brand our cities, looking first at the potential impact on local collaboration, and second, on a potential reinvigoration of environmental and social resilience. What implications might the Covid-19 pandemic have for the development of more inclusive and … Continue reading “Re-thinking How We ‘Brand’ Our Cities After Covid-19”