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Tale of two cities in boosting local growth through innovation
Delegates flocked to the Connected Places Catapult pavilion at UKREiiF in Leeds for three days of discussion around place and the built environment. Here we focus on highlights from a session focusing on Liverpool, Belfast and the ‘Irish Sea Rim’.
“Innovation is the only show in town,” said John Fogarty, Executive Director of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to a session on day two at UKREiiF hosted by Connected Places Catapult.
“Without innovation, there is no way to achieve our objective of promoting city growth and place-based regeneration; and you are just one of any number of city regions vying for attention. Innovation gives us a competitive advantage.”John Fogarty, Executive Director of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
John was joined on a panel session hosted by Erika Lewis, Chief Executive Officer at Connected Places Catapult which also featured by Dr Adrian Johnston MBE, the Innovation Commissioner of Innovation City Belfast and Professor Phil Leigh, Senior Knowledge Exchange Manager, University of Cumbria.
John spoke about Liverpool’s efforts to innovate in industry, from exploring new bus rapid transit options; to the Sci-Tech Daresbury innovation campus; to the development of new glass manufacturing technologies in St Helens to decarbonise glass production.
“The gamechanger for us has been understanding our needs and offer as a city region to bring people into the tent including from businesses and universities,” he said.
Belfast harbour testbed
Dr Adrian Johnston spoke about how Belfast is a useful 5G test bed to develop port technologies and new smart mobility solutions. “Innovation is important to remain relevant, productive and inclusive as a region,” Adrian said.
“We have recently completed a £3.4 Million, 5G innovation regions programme funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to develop 5G enabled port, transport, construction and creative industry solutions. Recently, Belfast welcomed mayors Andy Burnham (from Greater Manchester) and Steve Rotheram (from Liverpool City Region) to showcase our regional innovation partnership.
Innovation City Belfast is a collaboration between Belfast City Council, Belfast Harbour, Catalyst, Queen’s University and Ulster University – plus advisory partner Invest Northern Ireland. “To be competitive as a city region, it is important to collaborate,” he added.
Erika introduced Professor Phil Leigh from the University of Cumbria, who encouraged Liverpool, Belfast and other cities to work closer together on developing an innovation exchange through an initiative called the Irish Sea Rim.
“Investing in innovation is crucial: it drives economic growth and can help cities to address societal problems and improve quality of life.”Professor Phil Leigh, University of Cumbria
He added that innovation also attracts top talent, helping city regions to grow, tackle issues such as the climate challenge, and create a culture of learning.
“I set up the Irish Sea Rim to map initiatives in the region, and to see how innovation can be fostered by collaborating between key city regions. It brings together business and academia and organisations like Connected Places Catapult to help develop economic growth enhance and enrich communities.
“Innovation is about more than the sum of its parts; innovation allows you to do much more, but collaboration with others is what brings the advantages.”
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