Newport: City of Democracy a Report by Respublica for Newport City Council
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Society Society Society November 2016 Newport: City of Democracy A Report by ResPublica for Newport City Council Mark Morrin & Tom Follett About the Authors Mark Morrin is Principal Research Consultant at ResPublica Tom Follett is Devolution Policy & Projects Officer at ResPublica ResPublica Acknowledgements ResPublica would like to thank our partners at Newport Council for their kind support for this project. We would also like to extend particular thanks to Will Godfrey, Chief Executive of Newport Council, Debbie Wilcox, Leader of Newport Council, Huw Williams from the Newport Fairness Commission, Pat Drewett from Our Chartist Heritage, Steve Smith, Professor of Political Philosophy and Social Policy at the University of South Wales, the Newport Economic Network, Lynne Richards, Tourism officer at Newport Council, and Jane Helmich, News and Editorial officer at Newport Council. About ResPublica The ResPublica Trust (ResPublica) is an independent non-partisan think tank. Through our research, policy innovation and programmes, we seek to establish a new economic, social and cultural settlement. In order to heal the long-term rifts in our country, we aim to combat the concentration of wealth and power by distributing ownership and agency to all, and by re-instilling culture and virtue across our economy and society. Newport: City of Democracy Contents Executive Summary 3 1. Introduction 6 2. About Newport 7 3. Place Making and City Branding 11 4. 21st Century Democracy for Newport 15 5. Festival of Democracy 22 6. Conclusion and Recommendations 27 1 LOCAL AUTHORITY AREAS OF NEWPORT AND THE CARDIFF CAPITAL REGION 2 Executive Summary Place branding can play an important role in The development of cultural events and place-making, helping to articulate a sense institutions to attract visitors and investors of unique and authentic difference that has been a central feature of urban planning can make a city stand out in an increasingly in many metropolitan cities in the UK and competitive world. This report sets out internationally. the case for a city brand that builds on Newport’s historical, industrial and cultural Democracy is a tangible concept which, “A ‘Festival of Democracy’ legacy to shape a new vision for the future. in its broadest sense, can encapsulate At the centre of this vision is the idea of the social and economic interactions of would be an ideal way to ‘Democracy’, a concept that speaks to the particular citizens and communities that introduce the public to the city’s rich political history, its association come to define a sense of place. And concepts of 21st century with the Chartist movement and its legacy place, as the Brexit result reminds us, is a democracy, to debate and as ‘home of the vote’. decisive determinant of outcomes, be they health, education or income. Newport as test them in a controlled Newport as a ‘City of Democracy’ is a ‘City of Democracy’ offers the promise of a environment” distinctive brand proposition that could shared future that can counter the effects be transformative. More than a superficial of fragmented communities and refashion marketing exercise; it is something that a mutual understanding of economics, has depth and meaning, something that politics and an enfranchised society. can embody Newport’s ambitions, and re- position the city in relation to local, national Democracy is an ideal to aspire to, which, and potentially international networks. It to be realised, requires citizens to be could allow a number of related activities autonomous, capable, and invested with – festivals to celebrate political history, the information they need to participate in democratic models of shared ownership, society. Effective democracy requires better and new methods of participating in local use of the powers and resources available decision making - to connect citizens and to society. The question for a representative communities; shape public services; and democracy is how good its systems and rules drive economic development. are at representing the views of the people and whether there are more effective means ‘City of Democracy’ captures a sense of of allowing a wider group of citizens to Newport’s cultural identity which, we argue, participate in the process of government. can play a significant role in place-making. This type of cultural led development has The principles of localism and place-making, been attributed, by some academics and that are beginning to take root in Wales and urbanists, to whole city regeneration and around the UK, provide a real opportunity in some places the emergence of a new for communities to develop and transmit cultural and ‘creative class’ (Florida, 2002). an unmistakable offer that can capture 3 Executive Summary and build on their unique cultural heritage potential Newport will need to create a We argue that if Newport is to embark on while forging the possibilities for a new but more balanced economy, one that is less such a strategy, to re-vision and rebrand genuine future. Newport’s city brand can dependent on the public sector and large its social and economic future, then the enable communities to build on their local employers. It must secure its position concept of ‘City of Democracy’ can help heritage and assets, and, anchored by a linking South Wales to the West of England, achieve this by connecting with and deep sense of civic ownership, help shape grow its emerging digital cluster, and renewing its cultural heritage. As a potential a new and locally distinct settlement. This diversify its economy. brand it is something familiar and known, an could not only provide a major rebalancing idea that has depth and which is in its own of investment but also offer a major driver of Newport as ‘City of Democracy’ can build way uniquely and authentically associated economic development and place-making. on its political heritage to help promote with the city. It can speak directly to the principles of inclusive growth, to Newport’s history as well as its connectivity A deep and fully realised understanding of ensure that future steps to attract business to a global debate about the future of the role of democracy could not only help and investment can enable Newport to democracy. In this way, the brand can Newport drive a place-making agenda but become an attractive place to live and become more than an empty slogan. It can also transform local democracy itself. work, where people can afford a good function as a platform for ideas that could standard of living and play an active role in once again make Newport a leader in the Newport’s legacy the wellbeing of the city. development of a new democracy. Newport’s story is intertwined with the City branding Delivering a ‘City of Democracy’ history of Britain’s economic and political development. As one of the first places Whether it’s to boost tourism or to help Making the concept of a ‘City of Democracy’ in the world to industrialise, it was also create a general sense of civic pride, city real and authentic could involve drawing instrumental in the development of branding has become an important part of on the links between cities and democracy the Labour movement and the right to place-making for many cities around the in the past, and creating new ways of vote – the armed uprising in 1839 by the world. Responding to their own challenges, governing and representing Newport’s Chartists being the last of significant size other cities have successfully used city people in the future. Historically, the on British soil. The effect of subsequent branding to provide a focus and a strategy republics of ancient Athens and Rome, and de-industrialisation, experienced by many for life in the city. ‘I love NY’ is the first and the medieval Hanseatic League alliance, western economies, has not been without perhaps most famous of city brands but remind us of a time when cities were in its problems, some of which persist today. Glasgow is also celebrated for its long many ways stronger than nations. Today, Yet, the city has adapted better than most. running campaign which in its current cities are again taking on an increased role form is branded ‘People Make Glasgow’. in governing all over the world, for example Newport has recovered from a period of City brands are typically targeted at a wide through the Global Parliament of Mayors. economic decline to become an important audience of potential residents, investors, Cities are responding to global crises and base for employers from a range of sectors and culture producers. They often act as an the impacts of a global economy which in the nascent Cardiff City-Region. It is well ‘umbrella’ for various city sub-brands, such nations are ill-suited to deal with, and new connected via the Great Western Main Line as destination management and inward democratic technologies enable their and M4 to Cardiff, Bristol and London. Its investment, and when most effective they citizens to play an active role. population is better-educated than the are strongly integrated with city marketing Welsh average, with 35% of working age agencies and partner organisations. In Newport, the democratic context of adults having a higher level of qualification the city is changing. The vote to leave the (Level 4 or above – the equivalent of one Those cities that have succeeded in city EU, the creation of the Cardiff City Region, year of university), and its workforce is branding have moved beyond early devolution to the Welsh Government, and more productive (productivity per worker, attempts at simplistic exercises in logo low turnout in council elections; these are at £43,920, is almost equal to Cardiff’s at creation and ‘sloganeering’. The lessons all issues that combine to raise a complex of £44,350).