Centre for Cities

In 2017, the UK will see a number of metro mayors take office in major city regions around the country. For the first time these areas will have the powers and controls to govern themselves and encourage economic growth through strategic transport and planning powers.

In this talk, part of the Centre for Cities City Horizons event series, author of If Mayors Ruled the World Benjamin Barber reflects on how cities and their leaders have come to be of significant global relevance, more so than the nation-state, and reflects on how it is at the city level, that the most pressing global issues - whether surrounding climate change or social inequality - are played out and can be resolved.

In this month’s episode, Andrew speaks to Paul Cheshirefrom the LSE about his book Urban Economics and Urban Policy,co-authored with Henry Overman and Max Nathan. Paul explains why there hasbeen a resurgence in the study of cities in recent years, how agglomerationeffects have become an accepted part of mainstream economics, and why localgrowth policy should focus on people rather than places. Also touched onis the question of how to deal with inequality between and within cities, the‘almost criminal insanity’ of  the greenbelt stopping new houses being built to take advantage of the £18bn investment inCrossrail, and Paul’s favorite bit of the Communist Manifesto.

Full audio of our event in Middlesbrough discussing priorities for the new Mayor of Tees Valley, who will be elected in May 2017. Suggestions included action on skills and transport, further accelerating the devolution process, and the need to be a figurehead championing the city region. On the panel were Cllr Sue Jeffrey, Former Chair of the Tees Valley Combined Authority and Leader of Redcar & Cleveland, Prof John Mawson, Director of the Institute for Local Governance, and Rachel Anderson, Head of Policy and Representation at the North East Chamber of Commerce, and the event was chaired by Alexandra Jones, Chief Executive of Centre for Cities.

In this month's episode, Andrew talks to Lord Kerslake, former Head of the Home Civil Service, and Jo Casebourne from the Institute for Government about the impact new city region mayors will have on the political landscape of the UK. Andrew and his guests look at the changing role of MPs, and why some Westminster politicians are finding the prospect of being mayor attractive. Also touched on is the importance of mayoral influence as well as the powers handed over in devolution deals, whether there are too many politicians, and what Whitehall and Westminster should do in a more decentralised political environment.