We carry out research on issues surrounding sustainable development and transport in the West Midlands.
Our work aims to assess the scale of the challenge facing the West Midlands and inform policy makers as to where best to target their efforts. We work closely with experts and policy makers on both key areas to shape our work and make it as valuable as possible to the region.
We have been commissioned by Advantage West Midlands to develop a stronger, coherent evidence base on the issues of sustainable development. This is a three year programme of research.
Sustainable development in the West Midlands
The West Midlands Regional Economic Strategy reveals a £10bn output gap between the West Midlands region and the UK average. Sustainable development offers the potential to close the gap through increased efficiency.
In order for Advantage West Midlands to target their interventions effectively, our research programme needs to identify the opportunities that the mainstreaming of sustainable development can offer and the potential impact that interventions can have.
The aim of a low carbon economy in the West Midlands is at the heart of the Regional Economic Strategy. Our research programme should be able to evidence progress against this aim.
Regional partners such as Government Office for the West Midlands and the Regional Assembly also have sustainable development aims and our research programme should ensure that the work carried out is consistent and that all partners can make use of it.
The impact of the sub-national review and the introduction of a single integrated regional strategy increase the demand for a robust evidence base. Sustainable development is an area where there is an increased interest. Currently, much of the work done on sustainable development is broken into its key themes and not so much work has been done on drawing these themes together. Our three year programme of research will develop a much stronger, coherent evidence base on the issues of sustainable development.
Transport in the West Midlands
Improving transport and communications to increase accessibility, efficiency and competitiveness should allow the West Midlands to meet the challenge of enabling business and people to access markets, opportunities, jobs and services.
This will mean making the best use of existing networks, increasing the availability of public transport, for example, and maximising the use of technology and new infrastructure where required and appropriate.
Our three year research programme will utilise all available tools to help quantify the benefits transport can have in improving the output of the West Midlands. Our work will also assess the impact that transport weaknesses have.
Our work will look beyond the straightforward economic impact of the individual schemes and consider the additional benefits provided by improvements in the transport system.
Meet the team
John Walker
Senior Research Analyst
Email john.walker@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3246
John leads the Sustainable Development & Transport Team and is the Observatory’s key contact for The Marches. John has a background in rural, environmental and economic development issues.
Naomi Winchurch
Research Assistant
Email naomi.winchurch@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3243
Naomi supports the team by sourcing data for datasets, presenting data in tables and charts, and assisting with analysis of data and commentary. She also administers the Observatory's research enquiries service. Naomi graduated from the University of Sheffield in July 2003 with a BA (Hons) in Sociology.