How UK cities have transformed, adapted and evolved over time
Understanding city economies has become a topic of growing importance. In an ever more urbanised world, economists and geographers point to the way cities are driving the economies and wealth of their nations. This has led to more recognition from national governments as well as international bodies on the economic role that cities play. For policymakers, ensuring successful city economies is the key to ensuring economic prosperity at a national level.
In the UK it is well known that not all cities have enjoyed economic success in recent years, and many have experienced dramatic decline after the war. After a loss of jobs in manufacturing, replaced by low-paid service jobs, there has been a fundamental shift in the economies of many cities over the last several decades. This research project, funded by the ESRC seeks to understand this economic shift in more detail, and establish how and why some cities have weathered the change better than others.