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Productive cities achieve higher living standards and reduce inequality in a rapidly urbanising world. When cities prioritise shared prosperity and economic opportunity, the result is greater productivity and deeper social cohesion.
Achieving this boost in productivity is a complex and multi-dimensional challenge, involving access to work, development of new local economic centres, futureproofing against climate change and attracting investment in a highly competitive global environment.
“Cities can be inclusive engines of economic growth, but only if they offer opportunity to all. At Arup our planners, economists and urban strategists help cities to become more equitable, productive and sustainable. ”
Tom Bridges Director, Cities, Planning and Design
Analyse, synthesise, advise
At Arup, we see the urban planning and design process as a chance to map out the impacts of accelerating trends, question scenarios and create a shared vision, based on data and evidence, for a more prosperous, sustainable future. Our ethos is to create space for urban leaders, clients and collaborators to lean into big societal challenges. We help urban planners and economic specialists engage with trends at a strategic, analytical and technical level, unpicking complex datasets to synthesise insights that are actionable for urban leaders.
It’s easy to get stuck in our own personal views of productivity, but through the planning and design process, we focus on understanding data and addressing the inequality and disparity that often holds back regional and organisational productivity. For example, connecting disadvantaged communities to education and employment opportunities through affordable public transport links.
We bring together politicians, funders, CEOs and community leaders to agree collective long-term action. We support cities to repurpose districts, cluster innovators, attract green finance, develop skills for delivery, and protect what makes a place unique whilst enabling them to adapt and reinvent themselves for the future.
Staying ahead of trends
Cities reflect the changing ways we live and work. In many countries the post-pandemic staying power of working from home and the retail transition from ‘bricks to clicks’ are challenging the purpose of urban centres. Many towns and cities will need to consider retrofits to reduce carbon emissions, while any new urban centres need to be masterplanned with net zero operation defined from the start. For some city regions, developing clusters of expertise in everything from renewable energy to space exploration, semi-conductors to science will propel their productivity and attract talent, providing future-proofed jobs for residents.
How we help you
We bring together urban planners, economists, researchers and designers to analyse urban trends and citizen data, combining this with the aspirations of city leaders. Together we create detailed roadmaps to enable cities to plan and deliver new centres of economic and social productivity:
