Philip McCann Part 1 - Convergence to Divergence: The Evolution of Economic Geography

The Century of Cities welcomes Professor Philip McCann, Sir Terry Leahy Chair of Urban and Regional Economics at Alliance Manchester Business School, for part 1 of a 2-part conversation. Philip explains the shift from economic convergence to divergence within regions and investigates the implications for national growth. He draws attention to the challenges of agglomeration without growth, where cities grow in size but not productivity. He discusses the role of global trade, demographics, and climate change in shaping future urbanization patterns while providing strategic advice for policymakers in thriving and struggling regions.