URBLOG

Gap widening between ‘resurgent’ and ‘stuck cities’

 How Can Cities Thrive in the Changing Economy?

The Work Foundation today releases a league table of the productivity of different cities across the UK that reveals wide and growing disparities between ‘resurgent’ cities and those that appear to be ‘stuck’. Lack of vision and failure to collaborate with neighbours are considered significant waeknesses. Historic coastal towns fare particulary badly in this changing environment. Differences risk being exacerbated by the credit crunch as too many UK cities have built up a reliance on financial service jobs compared to their European counterparts, the How Can Cities Thrive in the Changing Economy? report warns.  

"Many refuse to recognise that their economic future relies on trade links with a neighbouring city that, despite being a historic rival, is now thriving. And they are often blighted by either chaotic or complacent leadership."

East Midlands region fastest growing in England

NEWS FROM ONS

The fastest growing English region, over the 10 year period from 2006 to 2016, is expected to be the East Midlands; the South East is projected to remain the most populous region.

An elected Mayor for every major English town and city

Mayors rule,   Michael Kenny and Guy Lodge consider the case in  IPPR’s quarterly journal Public Policy Research (ppr).

“Even though mayors have proved a success in places like London, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough, the current system allows councils to block the creation of more mayors. Mayoral campaigns like the current London one help to invigorate local politics by provoking interest and debate on local issues. "

Regeneration in European cities:

Making connections

Research sponsored by the Jospeh Rowntree Foundation has found that  European cities can provide valuable insights into how to tackle deep-seated urban problems, such as the regeneration of run-down industrial areas. This research by the URBED consultancy is based primarily on case studies of major urban regeneration schemes in Gothenburg,  Rotterdam, and Roubaix/Lille  and draws conclusions for UK policy and practice.

Cities are the new green

"It will not save life on Earth, but merely drive ever more people into hypermobility. "

The Housing Minister has announced a short list of locations for Brtian's eco-towns, and a period of consultation.

Simon Jenkins questions a strategy which ignores the eco-needs of existing towns and cities.

"Britain has plenty of potential eco-towns. They are called London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield and Newcastle, to name a few. They conform to every one of Flint's declared objectives. They have an infrastructure of utilities, schools, clinics, libraries, welfare services and public transport already built. People have shown themselves ready to live, work and play in them without using cars. They are settled communities able to absorb immigration and high-density living, without tearing the bonds of local leadership. "

DOUBLE TAKE in Leeds

Strangely Familiar: an exhibition of two photographers who have captured the transformation of Leeds over the last 40 years shows how the city's landscape has changed - from factories and mills to cappuccino bars.

Guardian article by Chris Arnot

Photo Gallery

Strangely Familiar, by Eric Jaquier and Peter Mitchell, is at the PSL Gallery, Leeds, from February 27 until April 26.

CORE CITIES THEOLOGY NETWORK

What's after Culture? Assessing the Legacy

The Core Cities Theology Network 2008 Conference will be held in Liverpool, Thursday 11th September to Saturday 13th September 2008. 

The Core Cities Theology Network aims to create an environment of solidarity and support for those engaged in urban mission and public policy so that more effective ways of being the church in the core cities context might be enabled. Booking form.

Report of the 2006 conference Cities of Culture: whose Vision, which Agenda?

The regeneration game

Why cities' plans for renewal often sound strangely familiar

'Why do city councils have the same ideas about how to grow? One reason is that they have the same people advising them. '

'...it would be good if the government put some power back into the hands of the regeneratees themselves. '

Lord's debate Olympic legacy 17th January 2008

'Things imposed on people by central bodies or external agencies do not work, nor do the more cosmetic kinds of regeneration initiatives that we sometimes find. Local participation and ownership, the right kind of infrastructure, a good quality built environment, the best kind of public space; all of these help to build sustainable communities.' Bishop of Newcastle

UK cities in the world: 2008 and beyond

Article from Centre for Cities

"Our cities are plugged into the global economy – and are shaped by events in urban places across the planet.  [...] UK cities will be shaped by other cities’ problems: notably conflict and climate change. Cities in the developing world – marked by poverty and inequality – are becoming key sites of religious and ideological conflict. UK cities’ security cordons will tighten in response. But at the same time, global conflicts are increasing the numbers of migrants to the UK, particularly to London and our biggest cities. "

SHRINKING CITIES

The  Shrinking Cities exhibition is now in Manchester and Liverpool.

"Cities are shrinking all over the world!  Shrinking cities are a cultural challenge to us. In the Shrinking Cities project, architects, academics and artists investigate recent developments in Detroit, Ivanovo, Manchester / Liverpool and Halle / Leipzig ."