Research Workshop: The economic evolution of Tees Valley

As part of the City Evolutions research, we have selected five different cities for an in-depth exploration of the role of institutional arrangements and policy initiatives in dealing with economic change over the past 5 decades, including the Tees Valley.

There are few places which have experienced economic change as profoundly as Tees Valley: an investment-fueled boom in the 1970s, a spree of closures and layoffs in the early 1980s, and recurring restructuring operations in the historic mainstays of the Tees Valley economy (chemicals and steel) since. Likewise, the Tees Valley economy has been the subject of many institutional arrangements and policy initiatives over the years; some of which were part of national programmes, others more typically local.

The workshop will present the main findings for Tees Valley and explore what the role of institutions and policy has been in dealing with economic change. The discussion will then address the following questions:

  • What have been the main institutional arrangements and policy initiatives with regard to the economic development of Tees Valley since the 1970s?
  • What role have these arrangements and initiatives played in shaping the economic evolution of Tees Valley?
  • Are there more general lessons concerning institutions and policy for cities coping with and adapting to economic change?

The workshop will take place on 23 March from 2pm-5pm in Durham. If you are interested in attending, or want to find out more about the project, please contact Rita Beden on rsvp@centreforcities.org