The Economic and Social Research Council's Cities Research Programme has been the largest study of urban economic and social dynamics ever undertaken in Britain. Led by Professor Ivan Turok, staff at Glasgow and Heriot Watt carried out a detailed analysis of Scotland's two major cities.

At a conference tomorrow, Friday 31 January 2003, they will present their findings to a large audience of policy-makers and practitioners. They will endorse the growing policy interest in improving the way our cities are managed and developed. Glasgow and Edinburgh are crucial to Scotland's economic prosperity and social progress.

Employment in both cities has grown more strongly over the last five years than in the rest of Scotland, demonstrating their economic potential. In Glasgow's case, this represents a significant turnaround. However, growth has been rather narrow in the kinds of jobs created and it has been confined to only a few locations, such as the city centre. Consequently, the real level of unemployment remains high.

The report suggests that growth in both cities may be held back in future by transport problems and property constraints. The priority in Edinburgh must be to secure additional investment in infrastructure in order to sustain growth and alleviate congestion. In Glasgow it is appropriate that more effort is now devoted to regenerating derelict areas closer to jobless hotspots.

Professor Ivan Turok commented, 'We need to develop more ways of linking growth and social development. Economic success and social justice don't automatically go together. It is a big challenge to broaden our city economies in line with diverse local needs, and to build stronger bridges between communities. It would be useful to recognise the value of 'low-tech' jobs as well as 'high-tech'.'

Nick Bailey added, 'We cannot just assume that social policies promote economic prosperity. Some social programmes are more about stabilising problems than resolving them. Social welfare spending could be more economically oriented ﾖ giving people useful work and in the process providing valuable community and environmental services in the places that need them most.'

Professor Bramley noted, 'We are currently promoting spatial segregation through our housing and planning policies. The location of new private house-building and social housing rarely coincide. We should work towards a more ambitious vision of what a 'socially-just' city might look like, rather than reinforce social divisions.'

Keith Kintrea said: 'Our research found evidence that people living in poor neighbourhoods are doubly disadvantaged by where they live, particularly through stigmatisation. Residents also believe that selected public services - health, schools and open spaces ﾖ are slightly worse in poor areas.'

He continued, 'Some social networks are stronger in poor neighbourhoods than in better-off areas. This raises some question marks about the policy emphasis on promoting even greater social capital'

Professor Turok concluded, 'There is no simple relationship between social and economic development at the level of the city. The two do not necessarily go hand in hand. Cities face complicated choices about what kinds of social and economic policies should be pursued and where. This makes it all the more important that local public organisations and partnerships are capable of making and implementing strategic decisions.'

The report states that current organisational arrangements have limitations, including fragmentation and confusion about responsibilities. Above all, there are deficiencies in local powers and resources to tackle obvious infrastructure weaknesses and to implement long-term development policies. Areas such as the Clyde Waterfront and Glasgow's East End are outstanding undeveloped assets needing focused attention.

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First published: 30 January 2003