Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues
The UK’s urban centres are key to driving up economic and productivity growth. However, many post-industrial towns and cities are underperforming. In this article, Dr Marianne Sensier, Kate Penney and Michael Francis from The Productivity Institute, describe their findings from a place-based study of Rochdale and explain what the government and metro mayors can do […]
By Cecilia Wong and Helen Zheng Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment Posted:
Changing social norms and the COVID-19 lockdowns have drastically shifted how we utilise the internet to conduct our daily lives, creating a rapid increase in home/hybrid working and online shopping. In this article, Professor Cecilia Wong and Dr Helen Zheng demonstrate how high quality, reliable and good coverage of telecommunication infrastructure has resulted in differential […]
By Claire Hoolohan, Alison Browne and Ella Foggitt Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Environment, Urban Posted:
Demand for water will outstrip supply within the next 25 years in England. Changing patterns of water use – for example, as a result of increasing hygiene standards – are intersecting with long-standing infrastructural challenges of ageing water and sewerage networks. In this article, Dr Ella Foggitt, Dr Claire Hoolohan and Professor Alison Browne assess […]
By Michael Hodson, Andrew McMeekin and Andy Lockhart Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Urban Posted:
Over the last 15 years, digital mobility platforms for ride hailing like Uber, bike sharing like Beryl, e-scooter rental like Lime and journey planning apps like Citymapper have become common in urban societies. They are often seen as ‘disrupting’ the organisation of existing public transport systems and creating competition. In this article from our On […]
By Patty Doran, Mhorag Goff, Linda Naughton and Philippa Winship Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Urban Posted:
The population is ageing. Almost 40% of people in England are currently over 50, and almost 20% are over 65 (Census, 2021). In response to the ageing population, in 2010 the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the global network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities. They aspire to be places where people of all ages feel […]
By Christine Camacho and Luke Munford Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Growth and Inclusion, Inclusive Growth Posted:
Community resilience is a marker of how well communities can handle and recover from difficult events. It is referred to in various resilience framework policies; but how is it measured, and how can it be used to target support? Here, Christine Camacho and Dr Luke Munford outline their work in developing a new measure – […]
By Carl Emery, Louisa Dawes and Sandra Clare Filed Under: All posts Posted:
Child poverty in the UK is a pervasive problem, with the latest figures showing that 29% of children in the UK are growing up in poverty. This rises to nearly 50% in families with more than three children. Child poverty is not spread evenly across the UK. 23.8% of pupils are eligible for free school […]
By Luke Yates Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Cities and Environment, Digital Futures, UK economy, Urban Posted:
Digital economy businesses have grown rapidly in the last 10-15 years, transforming how we work, travel, consume, and contract workers. Some impacts have been problematic, with growth of short-term lettings platforms reducing access to housing, and gig economy platforms increasing the precariousness of work. In this article, Dr Luke Yates outlines research findings on how […]
By Neil Humphrey, Stephanie Ray and Samuel Hugh-Jones Filed Under: Education, Health and Care, Health and Social Care Posted:
Adolescent wellbeing is a predictor of school attainment, adult mental health, relationships, and socioeconomic outcomes. However, the wellbeing of young people in the UK has significantly decreased in the last two decades. Current research into creative health has found increasingly positive links between supporting participation in arts, culture, entertainment,and sports (SPACES) and young people’s wellbeing. […]
By Isis Barei-Guyot, Alison Briggs and Elizabeth Ackerley Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Urban Posted:
Austerity measures along with other intersecting crises have resulted in challenges for individuals and organisations supporting the safety of women experiencing homelessness in Manchester and elsewhere. The public funding lost as a result of austerity policies has dealt a severe blow to deprived local authorities in the north of England, resulting in the stripping back […]