Transforming Places explores how places can respond to structural economic shifts – whether it’s industrial decline or the sudden closure of a major employer – and turn disruption into lasting, shared prosperity. The focus goes beyond just productivity and employment to also include quality of life, pride in place, and social cohesion.
The project investigates why some places adapt, recover, and reinvent themselves while others struggle. It combines novel economic analysis with insights on soft infrastructure of change (factors like local leadership, social capital, and place identity) to identify what supports successful place transformation, what creates barriers, and how policy can better help communities navigate acute shocks and long-term transitions.
- Easing transition costs for the workers and communities Easing transition costs for workers and communities
- Fostering economic diversification and competitiveness
- Delivering well-being, local pride and cohesion Fostering well-being, local pride and cohesion
- Building community capacity for renewal
