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UK Urban Futures Commission

Unlocking cities’ potential
A modern building with a cylindrical design is integrated into monochrome cityscape imagery. Bright teal lines overlay the image, adding a geometric, artistic element. A bridge extends across the scene in the foreground.

The UK Urban Futures Commission is an ambitious enquiry to unlock the potential of the UK’s cities. Led by the RSA in partnership with Core Cities UK and Lloyds Banking Group, the commission will work with cities and citizens to develop a transformative national plan for their future.

Three questions will guide the work of the UK Urban Futures Commission:

  • What are cities and what role do they play in our social, economic and environmental systems? What are the biggest challenges and opportunities – both now and in the coming decades?
  • In light of those challenges, what is our vision for cities in the future? What do we want and need them to be?
  • How do we reach our vision for cities? What steps can we take now to get there?
PRESS RELEASE

‘Release the handbrake’ on investment to unleash the enormous potential in UK cities

read the press release
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Unleashing the potential of the UK’s cities

This report seeks to answer the question, how do we unleash the potential of cities so they add dynamism to economies, cohesiveness to communities and redemption to the environment. This is the culmination of 12 months’ of work by the Urban Futures Commission.

The final report from the UK Urban Futures Commission was launched on 28 September 2023 at an event in Sheffield. We thank our Co-chair, commissioners and partners for their expertise and efforts on this piece of work.

Read reports from the UK Urban Futures Commission

Report

Unleashing the potential of the UK’s cities

28 Sep 2023

There is huge scope for cities to add dynamism to economies, cohesiveness to communities and redemption to our environment. The long-term dividends from doing so are enormous. The question is, how it is to be done?

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Read other RSA reports

Aims and rationale

Building on the successes of our City Growth (2014) and Inclusive Growth (2017) commissions which explored how cities can drive prosperity through inclusive and place-based growth, and in the context of the Levelling Up agenda, this enquiry will develop a detailed action plan for maximising the potential of the UK’s cities.

With over half of the British population living in cities, and amid considerable economic, social and environmental challenges, unlocking cities’ full potential holds the key to building a fair and prosperous country.

In the short-term, this commission will provide cities, decision-makers, and residents with a practical toolkit for strengthening their place, as well as catalysing the investment and policymaking necessary to deliver real results.

In the longer term, the commission will aim to inform the evolving relationship between national and local government, support tailored and inclusive local place-making, and spur sustainable material improvements in the lives of city residents.

As the commission progresses, we’ll be inviting you to get involved and contribute to this piece of work in new and innovative ways.

Join the commission’s community space

Help us achieve the short- and long-term goals of the UK Urban Futures Commission by sharing your knowledge in the dedicated community on Circle.

Contribute to the commission
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Our commissioners

The commission will be co-chaired by Andy Haldane, CEO of the RSA, and Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol and Core Cities UK Chair. Together they will convene seven expert commissioners from the worlds of policy, academia, business and finance, to provide specialist input and oversight.

Co-chairs

Marvin Rees

Former Mayor of Bristol
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Commissioners

Lord Karan Bilimoria

President, CBI
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Jane Davidson

Author of #futuregen: Lessons from a Small Country
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David Hutchison

Senior Advisor, Social Finance
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Bruce Katz

Founder, New Localism Advisors
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Professor Michael Keith

Director, PEAK Urban
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Polly Mackenzie

Chief Social Purpose Officer, UAL
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Anna Valero

Distinguished Policy Fellow, LSE
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The commission will also be supported by an urban finance advisory group of 11 finance and business experts chaired by David Hutchison, former Chief Executive of Social Finance.

Who we’re working with

Lloyds Banking Group logo

 
Lloyds Banking Group is a financial services group focused on retail and commercial customers. Its purpose is Helping Britain Prosper, and it does this by creating a more sustainable and inclusive future for people and businesses. With a presence in nearly every community, it is committed to supporting the regions realise their full potential and shaping finance as a force for good. 

Core Cities UK logo

 
Core Cities UK is an alliance of 11 cities – Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield. Its mission is to unlock the full potential of the UK’s great city regions to create a stronger, fairer economy and society.

Supported by

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Updates from the UK Urban Futures Commission

Blog

Prosperous Places: creating thriving communities

29 Jul 2024
Tom Stratton

With regional growth at the top of the agenda, it is vital that we create thriving communities across economic, social and natural perspectives. Prosperous Places is a suite of interventions aimed at responding to the unique ambitions and challenges of places.

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Blog

Pride interview: Felipe Tozzato

27 Jun 2024
Deborah Ajia

The commercial photographer and RSA Fellow explains what Pride means to him, the importance of courage, making friends through rugby and why being gay is his superpower.

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Blog

Let’s smash the Rainbow Ceiling

26 Jun 2024
Ben Oliver

Reflecting on Layla McCay’s recent RSA talk, Ben Oliver offers five ways for employers to create a positive culture for their LGBTQ+ staff that benefits both the individual and the organisation.

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More blogs & articles

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