HS2: A Vital Catalyst for Growth

Mark Thurston highlights the importance of the HS2 rail line for Birmingham and the West Midlands.  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 and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. It is an in-depth exploration of … Continue reading “HS2: A Vital Catalyst for Growth”

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”

An Urban Transport Recovery Plan for the West Midlands

Welcome to REDI-Updates. REDI-Updates is a bi-annual publication which will get behind the data and translate it into understandable terms. In this edition, WM REDI staff and guest contributors will discuss some of the key topics when trying to understand the long-term economic impacts of the pandemic.  In this article, Dr Magda Cepeda Zorrilla looks at … Continue reading “An Urban Transport Recovery Plan for the West Midlands”

A Safe Return to the Classroom and Work in the West Midlands During the COVID-19 Pandemic

What can central and local government do to ensure safe transport to work and school during the COVID-19 pandemic to safeguard the well-being of workers and children? Dr Magda Cepeda Zorrilla looks at the evidence and possible solutions. Getting young people back to school has been set as a priority by the Transport for West Midlands … Continue reading “A Safe Return to the Classroom and Work in the West Midlands During the COVID-19 Pandemic”

West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 4th September 2020

WM REDI has been tasked with providing an up to date monitor of the current COVID-19 economic impacts, on a weekly basis. These reports will help regional partners to shape responses and interventions to boost the region’s resilience so that it can thrive going forward. Each week the focus of the report relates to research … Continue reading “West Midlands Weekly Economic Impact Monitor – 4th September 2020”

Regional Assets and COVID-19 Impacts

This blog is based on a review of assets carried out as part of the Midlands Engine Independent Economic Review and the development of LEP profiles. We have also looked at what the major risks are to those assets going forward. You can find full details in the State of the Region 2020.  Tourism Assets … Continue reading “Regional Assets and COVID-19 Impacts”

Better Transport Infrastructure Can Increase Well-Being in the West Midlands

Welcome to REDI-Updates. REDI-Updates is a bi-annual publication which will get behind the data and translate it into understandable terms. WM REDI staff and guest contributors will discuss various topics, with this first publication focusing on how inclusive growth can be a tool to tackle regional imbalances across the UK. In this article, Dr Magda Capeda … Continue reading “Better Transport Infrastructure Can Increase Well-Being in the West Midlands”

COVID-19 in West Midlands, an Opportunity for Fostering Urban Micro-Mobility

In this blog, Dr Magda Cepeda Zorrilla looks at the opportunities lockdown has presented us with to think differently about the way we use transport, including the possible benefits for the environment as well as the quality of travel in general. One could think about all the negative impacts that the coronavirus pandemic has triggered, … Continue reading “COVID-19 in West Midlands, an Opportunity for Fostering Urban Micro-Mobility”

What is Transport Resilience?

Welcome to part three 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 Smart Specialisation? What are Industrial Clusters and Economies of Agglomeration? Definition and description Transport is necessary at the national and international … Continue reading “What is Transport Resilience?”

Meet Dr Magda Cepeda Zorrilla, Research Fellow at City-REDI

I joined City-REDI, University of Birmingham as Research Fellow in February 2019. I studied my a BSc (Hons) in International Relations (2007-2011) in the National Autonomous University of Mexico. My dissertation was aimed to explore the International experience of the use of the bicycle to reduce CO2 emissions and how developing countries could access to … Continue reading “Meet Dr Magda Cepeda Zorrilla, Research Fellow at City-REDI”