How can cities thrive in the changing economy

The last ten years of economic growth in the UK is a story of the knowledge economy; and one which has played out in our cities. The expansion of knowledge intensive industries, from financial services and professional services to high tech manufacturing, has made cities more important to the UK economy. Certain cities have provided industries with access to skilled workers, affluent consumers, the chance to exchange ideas and a thriving cultural offer: all particularly important for industries that rely on innovation and knowledge for comparative advantage. With every new job in other industries being matched by 12 new jobs in knowledge intensive industries between 1995 and 2005, it is little wonder that the cities that can attract these industries have boomed.