Centre for Cities

Excited to be hearing from @mayorofgm.bsky.social this afternoon at our ‘Manchesterism rising from devolution’ event 👇

Beyond the boundary: Why are local growth and living standards disconnected in some cities? - Centre for Cities How Cities Outlook 2026 explains differences in living standards and economic growth across UK cities.

Cities Outlook 2026 assesses living standards in urban Britain in the context of the Government’s mission to raise them “everywhere, felt by everyone”.

Three lessons stand out: a productive business base, access through skills and transport, and fewer growth constraints👇
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In most countries, visitor levy revenue sits within a single tier of government.

Revenue sharing upwards is rare. Hard hypothecation is even rarer.

Our latest briefing explores what this means for England’s devolution agenda 👇
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Oxbridge blues: How have Cambridge and Oxford economies performed over the past decade? Why Cambridge has pulled ahead of Oxford on jobs, productivity and housing – and what it means for both cities.

Housing supply within the urban core appears to be shaping economic outcomes.

This blog explores why Cambridge has been able to grow more strongly than Oxford 👇
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Three steps to rescue local government reorganisation - Centre for Cities How Government can rescue local government reorganisation and align devolution with economic geography.

Local government reorganisation in England is at risk of unravelling.

The uncertainty around 2026 elections has strained local patience and exposed deeper design flaws.

If devolution is to deliver growth, political boundaries need to reflect economic geography 👇
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Join Mayor Andy Burnham for a keynote speech and discussion on the future of English devolution.

We will host the @mayorofgm.bsky.social to reflect on Greater Manchester’s journey so far and set out his ambitions for the next phase of devolution👇
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All aboard for growth: Why rail reform is incomplete without rail devolution for England’s big cities - Centre for Cities This briefing sets out how rail reform can fill in the missing piece of the integrated transport puzzle that would better connect 1.2 million more people in England’s six largest urban economies…

Rail reform is focused on national coordination. But for England’s largest city regions, the bigger prize may be local integration 🚂

Commuter rail has a different economic role to inter-city services. Devolving it to metro mayors could unlock stronger urban growth.

New briefing👇
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How do visitor levies operate around the world?

This new briefing examines models in cities from Toronto to Kyoto and sets out what should shape England’s approach as mayors gain new powers.

Read the full analysis 👇
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This is a great, pithy piece from @xuanrulin.bsky.social on why we shpuld probably stop thinking of 'Oxbridge' as an amorphous blob.

Neck and neck a decade ago, there's been a marked difference in economic performance since. The varsity match is looking a little one sided these days...

Oxbridge blues: How have Cambridge and Oxford economies performed over the past decade? Why Cambridge has pulled ahead of Oxford on jobs, productivity and housing – and what it means for both cities.

Two university cities. Two different trajectories.

This blog examines why Cambridge has pulled ahead on key economic indicators👇
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Productive cities tend to receive a larger share of income from earnings.

This blog explores the link between productivity, wages and household income👇
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What has the new year brought for cities, and what are we looking forward to? - Centre for Cities A round-up of key policy developments affecting UK cities, and what to watch next for growth, transport and housing.

The big tests for cities are still to come.

This blog looks ahead to transport, housing and devolution decisions that will shape the year 👇
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Come hang out with Andy Burnham (and me!) on the 4th March in a Central London venue, to hear what lessons Greater Manchester has for the British economy and politics:

📅 In conversation with @mayorofgm.bsky.social

Joins us to hear from the Mayor on Greater Manchester’s journey so far, lessons for other mayoral strategic authorities, his ambitions for Greater Manchester and the English devolution agenda more broadly👇
www.centreforcities.org/event/manche...

Most urban land in Britain is not clearly defined as developable.

This blog looks at how that limits housebuilding, and how a more rules-based approach could expand supply👇
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Labour market income accounts for the majority of household income in every city.

This blog examines how income sources differ across places, and why productivity matters for living standards 👇
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People judge progress by what they see around them, not by national productivity statistics.

This blog explores the link between local growth, visible change and living standards👇
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Growth that people can see and access - Centre for Cities Why economic growth must be rooted in place if it is to raise living standards and feel meaningful in UK cities.

My attempt to bring together findings from @centreforcities.bsky.social Cities Outlook 2026 with @drjennings.bsky.social recent excellent report Perspectives on Place www.centreforcities.org/blog/growth-...

"Inserting some proper rigor into what is one of the most important economic policy debates."

A short reflection from @stephenkb.bsky.social at the launch of #CitiesOutlook2026.

Watch the clip 👇

What do recent government announcements mean for cities?

The latest installment of #UrbanAgenda reflects on the Northern Growth Strategy, rail reform, planning changes and more👇
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Thinkhouse library of UK housing reports Thinkhouse holds a library of the best and most innovative research pieces, policy publications and case studies on the quantity and quality of the UK's housing stock.

Now included in www.thinkhouse.org.uk :: @centreforcities.bsky.social REPORT :: Croydon calling: Lessons on rules-based planning :: Awaiting Editorial Panel assessment. #ukhousing #housingresearch #housingpolicy

Perspectives on place 🎙️

Coming shortly after the publication of Cities Outlook 2026, which examined variation in disposable incomes and levels of deprivation across the country, this discussion delves into what pride in places can mean for boosting growth.

Listen now 🎧👇
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Croydon shows that small-site housebuilding can respond quickly when planning rules reduce uncertainty.

This briefing looks at what made that possible, and where replication would be harder👇
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Loved working on these maps with @mauricelange.bsky.social for his briefing out today, showing Croydon's Suburban Design Guide impact on small-site housing delivery.

The flythrough helps show how viability translates into action (in Croydon's case), and where else it could work in London.

"We can make policy changes to help our economy grow."

A short reflection from @allymcgovern.bsky.social recorded at the launch of #CitiesOutlook2026.

Watch the clip 👇

The cutting edge of the economy is bigger than the IS-8 sectors alone.

This blog looks at the firms outside the IS-8, where they locate, and how they connect to priority sectors👇
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NEW REPORT out today. TLDR: Rules-based planning works and we can introduce it in British cities relatively easily.

A small thread on Croydon’s 3-year planning ‘experiment’ and what it means for urban planning…

We had a fantastic panel discussion to launch #CitiesOutlook2026 last week with @andrewcities.bsky.social, @allymcgovern.bsky.social, Oliver Coppard and @stephenkb.bsky.social 👇

How to get England building more homes, not ‘bat tunnels’ Croydon’s surge in development on small sites shows how a rules-based system can unlock housebuilding

Today's newsletter: some thoughts on two excellent reports, one by @dsquareddigest.bsky.social and one by @centreforcities.bsky.social that I think provides excellent collateral and a worked example of his thesis about how to get better at building infrastructure:

🆕What happens when planning rules are clearer and more predictable?

Our latest briefing examines Croydon’s Suburban Design Guide and its impact on small-site housing delivery. 👇
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