Assets – Cultural Recovery

Group of contemporary dancers performing on stage.

And Towns Three AHRC-funded projects led by researchers at the University of Southampton developing understandings of culture, towns, recovery and pride. Areas of research Contact details Website Email: [email protected] Creative Industries Clusters Programme The Creative Industries Clusters Program unites cutting-edge research talent with companies and organisations from the UK’s four nations, marking a pioneering research […]

Assets – Communities in their places

Close up shot of three friends embracing each other. They are smiling, supporting each other.

Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES) CLES is the leading national organization dedicated to local economies. Established in 1986 and headquartered in Manchester, CLES is a charitable organization committed to shaping a future where local economies serve the best interests of people, places, and the planet. With a renowned reputation for pioneering work in community […]

Data for Place

This theme looks at what data is available for a place and what methods can address LPIP questions and challenges, especially where there are gaps in the data, or the data is inconsistent throughout years and /or data is not available at a low-level geography.

Professional Standards for Place-Based Research Partnerships

The theme of “Professional Standards for Place-Based Research Partnerships” addresses the growing need for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to engage effectively with local communities. Place-based research partnerships offer a unique opportunity to co-create solutions to regional challenges, fostering knowledge exchange between academics and stakeholders such as policymakers, practitioners, and citizens.

Public Procurement and Innovation

A team at City-REDI currently works on a research programme focused on public procurement of innovation with Innovation Procurement Empowerment Centre (IPEC), part of the Connected Places Catapult. The IPEC Research team also collaborates with Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES) focusing on Anchor institutions (e.g., Birmingham Anchor Network), which encompass diverse local approaches to partnerships, innovative procurement practices and social value creation. We aim to collaborate with Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub and LPIPs on issues related to innovation and public procurement with place-based policy perspectives.

Business Cases

Over the last few years there has been a growth in place-based funding through the development of business cases in line with the HM Treasury’s Green Book. However, business cases are more than a means or hurdle to receiving funding. Business cases are a management tool which is developed over time as a living document as the proposal for a project or programme develops. The Business Case keeps together and summarises the results of all the necessary research and analysis needed to support decision-making transparently. The purpose of this theme is to provide LPIPs, partners and stakeholders with the tools and knowledge required to develop effective business cases.

Place leadership

This workstream will reflect on current challenges and opportunities for place leaders to pursue inclusive, and sustainable, economic growth to identify what makes for good place-based leadership. It will develop insights for how place leaders can work in partnership to break down silos within and between institutions.

Green Book Guidelines for Place-Based Interventions

Alice Pugh discusses how best to use the Green Book when developing place-based interventions.

Alice Pugh discusses how best to use the Green Book when developing place-based interventions. The Green Book is a guide issued by HM Treasury on how to appraise policies, programmes and projects. It is not a mechanical or deterministic decision-making device. It is a guide which provides a framework, thinking models and methods to enable

Felt Experiences

In recent decades, urban planners and policymakers have been increasingly interested in better understanding the relationships between people and the places they inhabit. This shift coincides with a growing emphasis on the value of place in policymaking.

Skills

The UK is navigating rapid technological changes and economic shifts. A strong skills ecosystem is essential to drive sustainable growth and enhance social inclusion. This theme examines the complex challenges and opportunities in skills development in the UK across different scales – from the local to the national level. It highlights the key roles of local employment and skills transitions, economic needs, and lifelong learning in building a workforce ready for future challenges and innovations.