Newport: City of Democracy - ResPublica

Newport: City of Democracy

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Publication Details

Many cities have adopted a ‘city brand’ to appeal to potential investors, visitors and residents. But what makes a city brand successful, and could it work for Newport?

In this report, we set out the case that a “City of Democracy” brand for Newport could not only help achieve the authenticity and inspiration that makes city brands successful, but if followed through with sincerity, could transform democratic life in the city and make Newport a leader in engaging its citizens.

We find that the creation of a Festival of Democracy would give the city a chance to explore and strengthen democratic ideas and processes, making Newport a ‘City of Democracy’ in both name and practice.

Newport: City of Democracy

Key recommendations of the report include:

  • A branding strategy for City of Democracy should be agreed with all stakeholders and partners
  • Measures to support co-op and mutual ownership for established and new local businesses should be implemented
  • Newport should remain engaged with ongoing devolution discussions with Cardiff Capital Region around fiscal devolution, and to prioritise its digital cluster in growth discussions
  • Newport should closely track gentrification in the city and support WAG efforts to pass Assets of Community Value legislation, with the aim of identifying such assets
  • Newport should examine how community hubs can work with Jobcentre Plus, Families First and DWP to deliver labour market interventions, including data-sharing from DWP
  • Explore incorporating the ‘Newport Story’ into the school curriculum
  • Use the Citizen’s Panel to trial a range of new, collaborative digital democracy tools
  • Participate in discussions around electoral reform
  • Create a ‘Festival of Democracy’, drawing on both historic and modern contexts, generating debate and pioneering real-world uses of new democratic tools

Media coverage

Author(s)

  • Mark Morrin

    Principal Research Consultant

    Mark is an experienced policy and research strategist with over 20 years working in partnership with businesses, public bodies, cities and counties to develop successful place-making strategies. Mark has contributed widely to research and policy developments in the UK with...

    Mark Morrin

  • Tom Follett

    Policy and Projects Manager

    Tom manages and delivers projects around place-based policy and devolution, working across both ResPublica’s research and consulting functions. His recent projects include Air Necessities and research for Newport Council’s City of Democracy initiative. Tom’s work has featured in publications ranging...

    Tom Follett