Putting Cambridge in the Productivity Premier League

The recent ‘Case for Cambridge’ focuses on the science and technology sectors, highlighting the government’s recognition of this economic powerhouse. However, planning across the UK continues to hinder growth and productivity. It is cumbersome, slow, and fails to meet market expectations swiftly. While it excels at identifying barriers to progress, it falls short in proposing practical solutions.

Now is the time for a bold reimagining of planning—one that harnesses the potential of places like Cambridge to drive national prosperity while preserving their livability and sustainability. According to the government’s own document, this reimagining could contribute an invaluable £6.5 billion to a stagnating UK economy.

A National Economic Engine

Cambridge’s unique ecosystem positions it as a national powerhouse for innovation. Its world-renowned universities, research institutions, and a dynamic technology sector attract top academic minds and significant global investment. This dynamism reaches far beyond the immediate region, making it a Premier League destination.

Consider the analogy of Cambridge United, our local football team. Despite possessing raw talent, ideas, energy, and ambition akin to the Premier League, their competition at the highest level is severely constrained without the necessary infrastructure.

Similarly, Cambridge’s planning apparatus too often resembles that of a lower league. It lacks the strategic vision needed to support and amplify the city’s ambition. Like UK football, it needs better leadership.

Leaders Who Get Things Done

We can learn from Andy Burnham in Manchester and Andy Street in Birmingham, who have demonstrated effective leadership by cutting through red tape and bureaucratic inertia. Unlike these cities, Cambridge lacks a directly elected metro mayor and is part of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, which has more limited powers.

The 2024 Cambridge Labour manifesto overlooks the economy’s needs; none of its five pledges address the real estate industry’s role in funding critical services and building a sustainable future. We must question why we allow our most promising economic engines to sputter and stall. It’s time for a new approach.

The Blueprint for Cambridge (and Beyond)

The Development Corporation model, exemplified by the transformative London Docklands project, offers a promising blueprint for success. Proposed as part of the government’s case for Cambridge, the Cambridge Development Corporation could be a powerful coordinating body to drive forward transformational growth and development at an accelerated pace.

To unleash the UK’s economic potential and boost productivity, we urgently need a series of national strategies starting with a spatial one, linked to infrastructure, power, and water. These strategies must set clear targets for each region, providing the framework and confidence needed to leverage private sector investment and drive transformative change.

Cambridge exemplifies the immense potential of our cities and regions to drive national prosperity and productivity, but the Development Corporation must be the first step in a programme of bold, structural reforms needed to drive long-term strategic thinking. A national spatial strategy must guide decision-making at all levels of government, ensuring our cities and regions work together towards a shared vision of success, giving Cambridge the opportunity to compete at the highest level—a level its talent and ambition deserve.