Megatrends in the West Midlands

This project examines megatrends in the West Midlands. Megatrends are trends that could have significant economic consequences and scarring effects for vulnerable groups and places as a result of impacts on human, social, physical and natural capital. 

There is a gap in policy makers’ understanding of whether these trends will continue, altering the structure of society and business in the longer term. This project examines these impacts and trends, developing future scenarios in greater depth in order to identify, along with policy makers, those policies which may be more effective in restarting the economy, encouraging recovery and creating long-term renewal by encouraging positive trends and mitigating negative effects.

 View the full report

What are megatrends?

Provocations

Adjusting Business Models and Operations

Changing City Centre Business Districts

Future Mobility

Future Health and Green Space

Local Living

Just City

Generational Conflict

Urban responses to pandemics and economic shocks in historical perspective

Tactical Urbanism

Work and Training

Podcasts

Megatrends in the West Midlands - Future Business District
With Johannes Read, City-REDI/WMREDI, Mike Best, Turley and Kevin Johnson, Urban Communications.
Download the Future Business District podcast transcript

 

Megatrends in the West Midlands - Urban responses to pandemic and economic shocks

With Liam O'Farrell, University of Sheffield and Claire Spencer, WMCA. 
Download the transcript for this podcast

 

Megatrends in the West Midlands - Business and Operations
With Alice Pugh, City-REDI / WMREDI and Henrietta Brealey, CEO, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce 
Download the Business and Operations podcast transcript

 

Megatrends in the West Midlands - Future mobiity
With Dr Magda Cepeda Zorrilla, City-REDI / WMREDI and Mike Waters, Director of Policy, Strategy & Innovation, Transport for West Midlands
Download Future Mobility podcast transcript


Megatrends in the West Midlands - Work and skills
With Dr Abigail Taylor, City-REDI / WMREDI and Dr Fiona Aldridge, Head of Insight - Economic Delivery, Skills and Communities, West Midlands Combined Authority. 
Download the Work and Training podcast transcript

 

You can also listen to the podcasts on Spotify.

Blogs

Megatrends in the West Midlands: Future Business District Podcast
City-REDI Blog, Ellie Macdonald, November 2022

Megatrends in the West Midlands: Generations
City-REDI Blog, Liam O’Farrell, November 2022

Megatrends in the West Midlands: Health and Urban Greenspace
City-REDI Blog, Ros McDermot, October 2022

Megatrends in the West Midlands: Local Living
City-REDI Blog, Gina Hunt - October 2022

Megatrends in the West Midlands: Just City
City-REDI Blog, Liam O'Farrell - October 2022

Megatrends in the West Midlands: Urban Responses to Pandemics and Economic Shocks
City-REDI Blog, Liam O'Farrell - July 2022

Megatrends in the West Midlands: Business Models and Operations
City-REDI Blog, Alice Pugh - July 2022

Megatrends in the West Midlands: Future Mobility
City-REDI Blog, Dr Madga Cepeda Zorrilla - August 2022

Perspectives on the Future of Work and Training
City-REDI Blog, Dr Abigail Taylor - August 2022