With 1.5 million inhabitants spread across ten local authority areas, commuting flows in the tens of thousands and significant economic disparities, south-eastern Wales faces a major challenge in building an inclusive city region.
In an era of economic crisis, public sector funding cuts and pressing environmental concerns, more of the same is not an option. We must find new ways of overcoming economic inequalities, fragmented governance arrangements and cultural resistance. If we are successful, city region partnership promises great opportunities and rewards.
In this book, leading academics and practitioners discuss the potential for the leaders of south-eastern Wales to create a consensus around three vital ingredients for success: connectivity, housing and the environment.
Recognising the need to look beyond our own boundaries and learn lessons from more advanced city regions, Forging a New Connection also contains contributions from Thomas Kiwitt, Head of Planning for the Stuttgart city region, from fomer Mayor of Vancouver Gordon Campbell and, on the Manchester city region, from professor Alan Harding.
“We can do anything we want, not everything we want.” Gordon Campbell
Click here to download Forging a new connection: Cardiff and the Valleys