Is the West Midlands Population Growing?

Reen Blake-Carr compares recent census data with 2011 to examine population change in the West Midlands. The 2021 Census was released recently and revealed a population increase of 6.1%, which amounts to 24.8 million households in England and Wales, up from 23.4 million households in 2011. Birmingham In Birmingham, there was a population increase of … Continue reading “Is the West Midlands Population Growing?”

Digging Digbeth: The Relocation of BBC Midlands and the Seeds of Recovery

Dr James Davies examines the role the Creative Industries can play in helping areas to recover economically, like Digbeth in Birmingham, which continues to grow as a creative hub. This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2022.  The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by the University of Birmingham’s … Continue reading “Digging Digbeth: The Relocation of BBC Midlands and the Seeds of Recovery”

West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 9 December 2022

In this edition we look at the price of the UK’s 12 favourite Christmas dinner trimmings, the price of a traditional Christmas dinner (for a family of 4 or 5) has increased 17.6% from £32.93 in November 2021 to £38.72 in November 2022. However, despite the general gloom of cost-of-living an Ipsos report found that … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 9 December 2022”

West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 11 November 2022

This fortnight, with a new PM in place, leading business representative organisations, including the CBI, FSB and the Chambers of Commerce have called for certainty and stability from the new Prime Minister to restore business confidence in the UK. They are calling for Rishi Sunak to restore fiscal credibility, stabilise the economy and deliver much … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 11 November 2022”

Birmingham’s Business Confidence: Boom or Bust?

Beth Clewes discusses the impact of Covid-19, Brexit, energy prices and inflation on business confidence in the region. This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2022. The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by City-REDI at the University of Birmingham and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. It is … Continue reading “Birmingham’s Business Confidence: Boom or Bust?”

Megatrends and the West Midlands: Health and Urban Greenspace

Urban greenspace typically refers to public parks, street verges, and sports grounds owned by the local council. Ros McDermott argues that urban greenspace is a resource for health, and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) should ensure equitable access to these spaces with a particular focus on people hit hardest by the pandemic. This article … Continue reading “Megatrends and the West Midlands: Health and Urban Greenspace”

Exploring Factors Influencing the Adoption of Low-Carbon and Renewable Technologies in Domestic Buildings in Birmingham

The Energy Crisis is on everyone’s minds, to raise awareness of National Energy Saving Week, Annum Rafique discusses the factors influencing the adoption of low-carbon and renewable technologies in domestic buildings in Birmingham. Climate change has been recognised as a global challenge. To combat climate change, the UK government has made ambitious targets for the … Continue reading “Exploring Factors Influencing the Adoption of Low-Carbon and Renewable Technologies in Domestic Buildings in Birmingham”

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”

The Legacy of Mega-Events: Birmingham’s Challenges in Securing Lasting Impact From the 2022 Commonwealth Games

James Davies and Simon Collinson examine the economic and cultural benefits for Birmingham and the West Midlands from the 2022 Commonwealth Games. This article was originally published on the University of Birmingham news site. With the 2022 Commonwealth Games taking over the city of Birmingham this summer, it’s a perfect moment to consider the Games’ … Continue reading “The Legacy of Mega-Events: Birmingham’s Challenges in Securing Lasting Impact From the 2022 Commonwealth Games”