Category Uncategorized
Climate Change and The Local Transport Plan Core Strategy for the West Midlands
This plan – the Draft Core Strategy of the Local Transport Plan for the West Midlands which has recently been put out for consultation – is for the seven Local Authorities; Birmingham Solihull, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton. We have until 4th April to comment. The plan is prepared by the West Midlands Combined Authority but implementation of […]
Decarbonising TransportWhy the UK Needs Change On All Fronts
An article by Jon Bloomfield and I in Byline Times looking at what transport needs to decarbonise and how the UK Government are failing.
Smart Sustainable Districts – An EU initiative
Whilst the bruising battle between the Brexiteers and those wishing to remain in the EU fights itself out daily on our airways – the EU continues with much of its good work – largely unnoticed and unheralded – certainly in the UK. Not many of you will have heard of the Climate KIC programme from […]
Open Work Spaces in London
I came across two things of interest today relating o the creative industries in London today. Firstly this mini report and ongoing survey of open work spaces in London being undertaken by IPPR supported by the GLA. Secondly this report on Creative Factories – focused on the creative community in Hackney Wick and Fish Island […]
The Rise of Collaborative Working in Birmingham
This is a copy of a presentation I gave at the launch of a new co-working space – The Transfer – in Birmingham on March 5th. This is not definitive and I would welcome comments/additions etc. The Rise of Collaborative Working in Birmingham More details on this authentic new space located in a community […]
Overseas Visitors to England’s Core Cities
The ONS has just release figures for overseas visitors in England broken down at a County or Unitary Authority level. I have just had a quick play with these to pull out figures for the Core Cities (Not there CA/FUA definitions). These figures are averages from the period 2011-2013. The following graphic and table show […]
What does the New Politics mean for the choice of a new Birmingham City Council Leader
Many of you might have missed it but there are a series of events going on around the country celebrating and debating local democracy. In Birmingham we have three fascinating events – with the highlight for me today with Simon Parker, Director of the New Local Government Network talking about his new book ‘Taking Power Back. I […]
Kerslake underlines need for vision and strengthening the centre
This post was originally posted on the Chamberlain Files As the Birmingham Policy Community is launched, following hot on the heels of the Kerslake Review and today’s budget announcement, Patrick Willcocks assesses the need for better strategic co-ordination at Birmingham City Council. The Kerslake Review covered a lot of ground. I want to focus on […]
EU OpenDays 2014 – 12th European week of Regions and Cities
Just got back from this annual event and thought I would briefly summarise my experiences and thoughts. Well the sessions are mainly about EU Structural funds or as they are generally known now as ESIF. The trouble was for this year we are right at the end of one period and right at the beginning […]
Festivals Birmingham – This Surely Must be Work In Progress
Are you like me; you see something new in your city – you want to check it out? Well- emblazoned all over Birmingham in recent weeks are flags and posters announcing – Festivals Birmingham – A City of Surprises. Well the idea wasn’t a big surprise to me as way back in 2012 Albert Bore […]
UrbanPivot 