In recent years cities across the UK have undergone many changes in quick succession. After the struggles of the 2008 financial crisis causing much hardship across the country, the economies of UK cities have started to grow and in some cases flourish once again. While in many cities here is still a long way to go to get back to pre-2008 levels, there are many signs of optimism and economic recovery.
Let’s take a look at some of the recent changes in some of most important cities in the UK and how their economies are performing today, along with information on current industry trends and demographics:
The Changing Face of Britain’s Cities: London
As the largest city in the United Kingdom and the most populous metropolis in Europe, London is a vibrant city marked by constant change and innovation. These characteristics affect everything in the city, from its economic life to its demographics. The diversification of the economy has also made it stronger and better equipped to face the recession. Although the financial sector was affected by the economic crisis, unemployment levels in London remain low, especially following the 2012 Olympic Games, which helped create thousands of jobs, mostly in the fields of tourism and construction.
The Changing Face of Britain’s Cities: Manchester
With a total population of over 2.5 million people, the Greater Manchester Area is the second largest urban municipality in the United Kingdom. At the heart of this metropolis is the city of Manchester, a vibrant urban centre that has been crucial to the development of the UK economy since the late 18th century. Like many other large cities throughout the country, Manchester is experiencing a series of social and economic changes that are transforming its face. In this article we take a detailed look at the changing face of this great British city.
The Changing Face of Britain’s Cities: Birmingham
Birmingham has had a leading position as one of Europe’s largest and most important manufacturing centres for nearly two centuries. The role that this Midlands city played during the industrial revolution marked the future development of its population, economy, and industry. Following a series of regeneration projects, modern day Birmingham is at the forefront of socio-economic development in the United Kingdom. In this article we cover the demographic, economic, and industrial changes that the city has recently experienced.
The Changing Face of Britain’s Cities: Edinburgh
Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital city and one of the most economically active cities in the United Kingdom. As such, change and transformation are essential elements in the social and economic life of this city. In recent years, Edinburgh has won a number of accolades that have attracted further investment and new residents, such as the European Destination of the Year 2012 award, the Best Large City for Foreign Direct Investment 2012-2013 recognition, and the Best UK City award. In this article we look at the changes that the Scottish capital has gone through in the recent past in terms of demographic, economic, and industrial patterns.
The Changing Face of Britain’s Cities: Leeds
The city of Leeds has been an important economic and transportation centre since the 17th century. Over the years, Leeds has emerged as one of the most important urban centres in Yorkshire, and consequently, this has brought about demographic, industrial, and economic changes that have modified the face of the city. Continue reading for a detailed overview of the latest information concerning demographic, economic, and industrial trends in this West Yorkshire city.
The Changing Face of Britain’s Cities: Newcastle
The city of Newcastle upon Tyne is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the north of England. The city has played an important role as a trading port for over 200 years, and undoubtedly this has contributed to turning Newcastle into a populous metropolis with a thriving industrial and economic scene. Over the decades, Newcastle´s face has been transformed due to demographic and economic changes that in a way, are common to those experienced by other English cities. In this article we review the latest demographic, economic, and industrial trends that have recently taken place in Newcastle.
The Changing Face of Britain’s Cities: Bradford
The city of Bradford has been firmly positioned in the international map for a couple of centuries. Bradford was among the first British cities to be transformed by the industrialisation process, and became known around the world as an international wool capital. Much has changed in Bradford since those days, as textile manufacturing has largely been replaced by a thriving and diverse economy that has attracted people from many parts of the UK and the world. In this article of our series “The Changing Face of Britain’s Citiesâ€, we take a detailed look at Bradford’s population and its economy.
The Changing Face of Britain’s Cities: Bristol
Bristol continues to play an important role in the social and economic life of the United Kingdom, although the city has had to adapt to many demographic and economic changes. In this article we review the transition that Bristol has experienced in the recent past in terms of its population, economic base, and industry.
The Changing Face of Britain’s Cities: Oxford
For centuries, Oxford has been internationally renowned as a centre of academic excellence. Today, Oxford’s universities still play an important role in the economic and social life of the city, but we would be wrong to assume that Oxford has nothing else to offer to both residents and visitors. Today, the city is a modern urban centre with an increasingly diverse economic base and an equally diverse demographic profile. In this article we take a closer look to the latest trends observed in Oxford in terms demography, economy, and its industrial sector.
The Changing Face of Britain’s Cities: Cambridge
Given its historical importance, Cambridge is one of the most interesting urban centres in the United Kingdom. As such, and through its long history, the city has undergone many changes in key areas such as its population, economy, and industrial base. In this new edition of our ‘The Changing Face of Britain’s Cities’ series, we take a close look at the changes that have taken place in Cambridge in the recent past.
The Changing Face of Britain’s Cities: Leicester
One of England’s oldest cities, Leicester has been a strategic and economic centre in the East Midlands since it was first established by the Romans. Leicester is home to an estimated 329,839 people, according to the Office of National Statistics’ 2011 Census. With a total area of 73.09 square kilometres (28.22 square miles), the city has a population density of approximately 4,180 people per square kilometres (10,800 per square miles).
The Changing Face of Britain’s Cities: Cardiff
The Welsh capital is often hailed as an example of successful development and adaptation to changing demographic and economic conditions. Cardiff’s history spans more than two thousand years, when the city was nothing more than a small fort built by the Romans. How has Cardiff changed since and what are the current demographic and economic trends that prevail in the Welsh capital?
The Changing Face of Britain’s Cities: Sheffield
Much of the city’s economy is driven by small and medium sized enterprises, according to the State of Sheffield 2013 report. In 2012, an estimated 783,600 people worked in the Sheffield City Region, with 80 percent of workers employed in service sectors. The city’s largest employers include its two universities, the National Health Service (NHS), and national and local government agencies. An estimated 13 percent of Sheffield’s workers are employed in manufacturing, a figure that is higher than the national average
The Changing Face of Britain’s Cities: Brighton
Situated in East Sussex and founded by the Saxons, Brighton sits on the southern coast of England. The city forms part of the unitary authority of Brighton and Hove, which was created in 2000 and includes Hove, Portslade and other villages in the surrounding area. Traditionally a fishing village, the community emerged as a resort town during the 18th century and became an increasingly popular tourist destination with the arrival of railways. Still a significant tourist destination, the city is England’s most populous seaside resort. It is home to a well-developed seafront with restaurants, bars, clubs, amusement arcades, sports facilities and piers overlooking the English Channel.