State of the West Midlands « West Midlands Regional Observatory

We monitor the state of the West Midlands and support partners in meeting their data and evidence needs. Our research includes:

State of the West Midlands 2010

Published 2 November 2010

Our report sets out the evidence for the key challenges facing the West Midlands and its local areas.

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Analysis of sub-regional dynamics in the West Midlands

Published 23 March 2010

We carried out a study into the evidence about relationships between places within the West Midlands. The aim was to help us understand lower level geographies within the West Midlands, based on functional relationships.

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State of the Region Report 2009

Published 20 October 2009

We combined key evidence from our state of the region dialogues with other information about the major issues facing the West Midlands. We linked the themes to wider developments influencing policy and strategy.

Datasets of indicators and interactive maps are available.

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State of the region dialogues

Ongoing 2009-2010

We aim to make the evidence we produce even more relevant to policy makers' needs. By coordinating thematic dialogues between decision makers and researchers, we also aim to strengthen the way in which evidence is used to inform policy. We're reviewing the dialogues as the new Local Enterprise Partnerships emerge.

Last year's reports are available on the downloads tab at the top of this page.

Refreshing the West Midlands evidence base

Published 27 October 2009

"Better evidence… better policy" is what we're all about. But what does "better evidence" mean? And how does it translate into "better policy"? This report starts to answer these questions.

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What makes a community sustainable?

Published 20 October 2009

A successful West Midlands must be made up of communities where people want to live and work, now and in the future.

But what are the factors which make communities sustainable in this way? How can we identify which communities are sustainable and which need action to help them to change?

Read the report: What make a community sustainable? (pdf, 457kb)

The West Midlands' changing population

Published 20 October 2009

The population of the West Midlands is changing. Over the next 20 years the number of people aged 85 and over will double, the population will become increasingly diverse and more people will live alone or in small households.

Our report looks at the implications of these changes.

Read the report: The West Midlands' changing population (pdf, 437kb)