What do 21st century London and 2,000 BCE Babylon have in common? It turns out, the answer is “quite a lot” as Monica Smith, Professor of Anthropology at UCLA argues in her book Cities: the first 6,000 years.
Can improving the work environment help solve the UK’s health problem?
Amidst all the discussion surrounding the newly released deprivation data for England, one finding stands out – wherever you are, there are clear correlations between the different “domains” of deprivation.
Deprivation: A Changing Picture for England?
The release of the English Indices of Deprivation provides a base from which to track the country’s progress since 2015, both socially and economically. An EU referendum and three Prime Ministers later, the past four years have brought with them two simple, but interesting questions: What has changed, and where has it changed?
Complexity & Prosperity (or: why messy economies do better)
A Powerhouse for the West: Britain’s missing powerhouse
New report highlights the next UK powerhouse “waiting to happen”
Planning our way to a more inclusive form of economic prosperity
The UK Housing Crisis: Who is to blame, and what can be done?
Life beyond the 29th March...
Investing in the Future
CityLab 2018: How can cities create opportunities for all?
t’s a bit early for lists of the best things of 2018, but my favourite book was “Our Towns” by Jim and Deb Fellows, based on their 100,000 mile trip round smaller US cities and the city led renewal and community action that is thriving. I recommend it. It’s hard to see from this side of the pond, but the party divisions which are paralysing Washington are much less of an issue locally. Whilst national politics are totally dysfunctional, cities and towns are just getting on with what they need to do.
Budget 2018: opportunities for local growth
With the outcome of Brexit negotiations still up in the air, the Government’s scope for a major shift in direction at this autumn’s Budget was limited. Nevertheless, this is a Budget that supports investment and growth, and local growth in particular.
The Chancellor reiterated Government’s commitment to boosting productivity, and to regional and city growth to achieve it. There are new sources of funding at all levels of local government and these sit within the overarching structure of the Industrial Strategy published last year. So although the country’s finances and policies will be ultimately determined by what happens with Brexit – Philip Hammond has reserved the right to upgrade the 2019 Spending Review to a full Budget should no deal with the EU be struck – this Budget offers much of interest to places in the interim.
New Zealand's Inclusive Growth Opportunity
By Ben Lucas
New Zealand has a unique opportunity to develop a new model of sustainable inclusive growth that could put very different values at the heart of its economy. The new, Jacinda Ardern led, Labour, New Zealand First and Green Coalition has been in power for a year now. Its ambition was highlighted by the decision of Winston Peters, Leader of New Zealand First, to act as Ardern’s kingmaker on the grounds that the country was ready for “capitalism with a human face”.
Raising the HRA cap / raising aspirations
Theresa May’s recent announcement of the end of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) borrowing cap has received a very warm welcome across the local government sector. Since the changes to the HRA system in 2012, the chorus of voices demanding either an increase in the HRA cap, or its abolition entirely, have become louder and louder as the cap has become an increasing barrier to local government getting housing delivered.
A rare and precious unity: Reflections on the first Convention of the North
By Daniel Timms
To those following the news, summer 2018 has seen something of a break in tradition. The ‘silly season’, with its round of eye-rolling headlines, has been rather more serious than before. Debate has raged about grave questions of national importance, and there is much brooding about what the future holds.
Against this backdrop, the Great Exhibition of the North, hosted by Newcastle and Gateshead and coming to an end this week, has been a ray of light. The exhibition, featuring innovation, science, culture, and art from right across the North, has vividly displayed an extraordinary depth of creativity and innovation. Across the UK, many have heeded the call to #GetNorth and enjoy the exhibitions and events. Where better, then, for the first Convention of the North? The symbolism – that the North is an innovative region with huge potential – could not be clearer.