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”

West Midlands Economic Monitor: June 2019

June’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 hydrogen trains, the UK 2070 Commission, homelessness and fuel poverty, modular homes, and as always features analysis of the latest data about the region’s economic performance. … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Monitor: June 2019”

West Midlands Economic Monitor: May 2019

May’s edition of the West Midlands Economic Monitor is now available for download. This month’s installment looks at the debate around HS2, how much money you need to earn to be happy, inequality in the region, ongoing protests against LGBT-inclusive education, a range of regeneration projects planned for Birmingham, and the latest statistics around employment, … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Monitor: May 2019”

The West Midlands Economic Monitor – April 2019

This month’s edition of the West Midlands Economic Monitor is now available for download. We look at the changes in regional productivity, employment, business activity and house prices in the region, as well as business openings, transport changes, equality and diversity and major new housing developments. Get the April edition of the monitor by clicking … Continue reading “The West Midlands Economic Monitor – April 2019”

Is High Speed Two going to change Britain? High-speed rail in an international perspective

While recent media headlines might be devoted exclusively to Brexit, there are a raft of other major government projects – from Universal Credit to the MoD’s new aircraft carriers – that also attract a lot of column space. One of these is undoubtedly High Speed Two. The government says this is a once-in-a-generation chance to … Continue reading “Is High Speed Two going to change Britain? High-speed rail in an international perspective”

The March edition of the West Midlands Economic Monitor is now available

This month’s edition of the West Midlands Economic Monitor is now available for download. We look at the changes in regional productivity, employment, business activity and house prices in the region, as well as projects that have been announced in rail, 5G internet, electric cars and adult education in the West Midlands. You can get … Continue reading “The March edition of the West Midlands Economic Monitor is now available”

Today is World Day of Social Justice. Let’s talk about what that means

 The 20th of February has been designated by the United Nations as World Day of Social Justice. This year’s theme is “If you want peace and development, work for social justice”, with a specific focus on the 2 billion people worldwide living in fragile states afflicted by conflicts and how the creation of better quality … Continue reading “Today is World Day of Social Justice. Let’s talk about what that means”

Value and Valuing Christmas: Towards a non-price-based Theory of Value

In 2016 and again in 2017, I produced a Christmas blog that explored twelve economic impacts of Christmas. More recently, I commented on Small Business Saturday and the importance of responsible consumption during the December shopping Christmas frenzy. This year I am not exploring the economic impacts of Christmas, but I am interested in considering … Continue reading “Value and Valuing Christmas: Towards a non-price-based Theory of Value”

Andy Street’s To-Do List: Challenges for the New WMCA Mayor

In this blog, Professor Simon Collinson, City-REDI, discusses the challenges facing the new WMCA Mayor. By a narrow margin on the second ballot, the people of the West Midlands voted for Andy Street to be the first Mayor of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) region. He is one of a new group of ‘metro … Continue reading “Andy Street’s To-Do List: Challenges for the New WMCA Mayor”

From Boston with Ducklings! Interdependent Challenges and Urban Living and the Management of Complex Cities

In this blog, Professor John Bryson, City-REDI, discusses his recent visit to Boston, for the Association of American Geographers: On Saturday 8 April 2017, the Urban Living Birmingham project organised two sessions at the annual conference of the Association of American Geographers, Boston. The sessions explored the integrated and interdependent challenges that are facing cities this … Continue reading “From Boston with Ducklings! Interdependent Challenges and Urban Living and the Management of Complex Cities”